OMGZ, it's finally here!!!

Sooo…Have I mentioned that I’m going to Ghana ?!!! J I am beyond excited right now!!

I have been an absolute whirlwind of emotions over the past week. Not only did I total my car a full 10 days before I am set to fly over the ocean (to add injury to insult, it my fault), but I also managed to come down with a sinus infection and bronchitis. The damn Austin allergies will get you every time! I spent 4 of the last 5 days in bed sleeping, pill popping (legally prescribed and used as directed), and generally feeling sorry for myself. Most of my friends were busy this weekend with their own stuff (graduation, family in town, etc.) so I had a full on pity party for myself. I *finally* started to perk up Saturday – just in time to run a few last errands in the pouring rain and lightening storm. It was great. I spent all of today packing, unpacking, repacking and alternating between pure excitement, absolute terror, and about six hundred feelings in between. (Luckily, I am entitled to a “full range of emotions” and to all of my “thoughts and feelings” so I just rode it out J) My dear friends came over to provide solace and, in the process, we rescued a runt cat. (Well, not so much ‘we’ as ‘they’… my friends are all such caretakers. It is sweet, really. )

It is 5:15AM and I sit here awake writing. I am partly staying awake so I can sleep well on the overnight flight tonight ( 8PM – 5AM ). I have completed my to do list:

Upload tunes to iPod

Copy important documents for self and local emergency contacts

Eat pizza and cake

Talk to/spend time with important people

However, I am mostly awake because I am SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!

I really cannot believe I am as lucky to go on this trip. I never imagined that I would be afforded an opportunity like this. In many ways I still see myself as a poor, little girl still living in Morris , IL or Mooseheart, afraid I will never make out, afraid I will not get to live my dreams. And, here I am. 27 years old, in one of the greatest cities with more of the greatest friends than any crazy lady could ever wish for… It is a dream come true. I feel so lucky, and honored; yet, I know that I have made this happen. I have worked hard to get to where I am today; to have an opportunity such as this. And, I CAN’T WAIT! =D

For those who do not know, I will be traveling to Ghana in West Africa for four weeks with a summer program through the School of Social Work and Women’s Studies at UT. I will spend three weeks traveling throughout the country to three cities and four villages studying community and social development. We will be looking at the ways the Ghanian people have addressed social issues through governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as community organizing and mobilizing. For the final week, we will be volunteering with various agencies in the community. For my project I am planning to host a week-long girls empowerment program/week for high school girls. From my research I have learned that many of the girls in the Ashaiman community in Accra , the capitol of Ghana , suffer from similar issues as U.S. girls, especially low self esteem, body image, and relationship/sexual struggles. The goal of this program is to provide critical thinking and leadership skills to girls so they may make wise choices and plan for a self-sufficient and educated future. This is my life’s work. This is a dream come true.

With that, I will bid you adieu for now…

Pictures will be uploaded periodically to www.shutterfly.com. I will send that link when it is updated.

That’s all for now!

…‘til next time….

Shalom.