Orange tic tacs: tangy and delicious

I have officially purchased everything I need for Nicaragua. I feel like my bags are going to be overweight even though I'm really not bringing all that much with me. I refuse to worry about it.

For so long it didn't seem that this day would ever come. Now that it has, I don't know where all the time went. I already miss a bunch of people but I'm SOOOO EXCITED about finally going to Nicaragua.

When I was applying, I spent a lot of time looking at Peace Corps blogs to find an unofficial time line of the process.....

late October '07: start application
mid November '07: finish/turn in app
First week of December: interview
Dec 7: Nomination
Jan 15ish: mail off medical forms
Dental Clearance the next week
Medical Clearance two weeks later
Invitation mailed three weeks later

I should mention, I made it through the process EXTREMELY quickly. Not everyone has such an easy/lucky time with the medical process. If you are left waiting for months on end, hang in there!

DC has been a fun, touristy time with good friends. I saw the monuments, Arlington (where my grandfather is buried) and a fair share of DC bars. If you ever make it to DC/Adams Morgan street make sure to stop by the falafel place just after last call---it was amazing!! Thanks are owed to Bailey and Brandon for putting up with me the whole weekend. :) You guys are awesome!

I checked off my last "to do" today by getting my haircut. It is about four inches shorter, I have side-bangs and it's no longer parted down the middle. Those are some big changes for me. This is the first time in my life my hair hasn't been parted down the middle. I didn't really plan the changes... my stylist and I had communication issues and this hair cut was the result. Either way, I think I like it.

Tomorrow is the first day of staging (orientation). We meet up at 1:30 in Georgetown. Tuesday is more of the same and then we fly out on Wednesday. My phone was supposed to have shut off last Thursday but hasn't yet. I need to call tomorrow and clear that up.

The next post will most likely be from Nicaragua!