Thursday, September 15, 2005

My First Semester After Undergrad

By the time kids are out of school for winter break, I'll be finishing up my training in Senegal. I start my training on Septemeber 27th. Two days after I leave home. For the next three months, I will be in class just like the rest of you college kids. I must admit that ever since graduation I've constantly felt more and more stupid every day. I really miss the classroom. I will be learning three different categories while I'm there. First, I have to touch up my foreign language. The official language there is French, though they do have a few other languages. Wolof, an arabic? language, is spoken throughout the country as well. I haven't spoken a lick of French since I took two years of it in highschool. Though I did take four years of Italian in college and they're close enough. I'm nowhere close to being fluent in Italian, but I can make conversation with the Don on his daughter's wedding day. I also have to go through a cultural understanding class. Here they'll teach me everything I need to know about Senegal. I'll learn the what-to-dos and the what-nots. They'll teach us how to shop for food, clothes and supplies without being screwed by the locals. Mostly it will be a class on how to interact with a different society that's nowhere close to ours. The last class will be technical. I'll begin training in my field. It won't be intensive because I can't really learn so much without actually being in my official community and on the job. After my three months are up, I'm either sworn in or sent home. If I don't work my butt off you all might see my around Christmas, but don't count on it. I live for challenges. All of my training will take place in a city called Thies. It's the second largest city in Senegal, following Dakar-the capitol. The town is said to be very peaceful and I'll only be a short distance from the Atlantic Ocean. I don't know where I'll be after Thies, but I will let everyone know. I can't post the village I'll be in for the following two years for security reasons, though important people will know right away. Hopefully I will meet new friends and learn interesting cultural norms in these few months. Once I get pictures and get settled in, I will make sure that you'll see how my life turns out. Take care for now.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Leave It To Beaver


I don't know why I posted this picture, but isn't it true? No need to take offense lady feminists. This is just a reminder of why my sex life in the next two years won't exist. Posted by Picasa


When I think about my job in Africa, I can't help but feel like it's going to suck. Then I take a look at this guy and I sleep better at night! Quit complaining about your jobs!!! It could always be worse.  Posted by Picasa


Thank you for all of your support Posted by Picasa


Teach them while they're young Posted by Picasa

Got Gas?


Where's all your money going, America? Express your anger here. Let me know what the price of gas is back home. Posted by Picasa

Home away from Home

Well, only ten days to go. On September 25th 2005, I board an airplane leaving for a destination that will inevitably change my life. My flight leaves at 7am out of Moline, where I have an hour lay over in Chicago. Later that day I'll be arriving in Philly of all places. "This is a story all about how my life got turned right upside down..." I'll only be in Philly for two days. From there I'm off to NY where I fly out of JFK International straight to Dakar Senegal (Africa). I've made many stupid decisions in my lifetime. This one just might prove to be the most valuable. Thank you friends and family, and especially heartbreakers, for making this come true. It will be a very difficult transition for me but with your support, you've helped make it possible. Thank you everyone. See you in 2008.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005


How could I possibly be nervous? Posted by Picasa