Countdown To Freedom

Yesterday, I handed my car over to my dad. I loved my car. It was a Toyota convertible, and I personally put a good 100,000 miles on it over the past few years. It was reliable and looked great. Now, for the first time in more years than I can fathom, I am car-less. Ironically, I am not the least bit upset by this. Dad needed a car, and I will not need mine for 2 years. Without regular maintenance, it would simply rot away while I was gone. At least this way, I know it is being used, and helping Dad, too. This is also one more step toward my departure for the Peace Corps. I have liquidated pretty much anything I had, and my car was the last step. When I return to Charleston next week, my friend is letting me borrow his extra car until I leave, so at least I can get around and possibly work a bit before leaving. In all, things are moving along nicely. I have been joking with friends and family that I am homeless, unemployed and car-less, and yet I have never felt wealthi

I have not been blogging about my Peace Corps experience for a bit. There were several reasons for this. The decision to join the Peace Corps and go to Mozambique has been a deeply personal one, that has elicited conflicting responses from friends and family. I would be lying if I said that I have not had second and third thoughts about this. I am leaving my life for 27 months, and at this point, I am down to the final stages.

I was finally able to check a major goal off of my bucket list! I have been wanting to visit New Orleans since I was a little girl, so when I finally had the opportunity to not only go but celebrate Mardi Gras, I was delighted! What began as a fun dream trip was interrupted by my companion's personal emergency. I found myself on day 2 of a 5 day trip by myself. It was disappointing, but I stayed and enjoyed every moment of it. Knowing what I do now, had I been aware that I would end up unescorted, I would have chosen another time then Mardi Gras to enjoy New Orleans.  The city is incredible and ripe with history. It is impossible to not be drawn in by the sights, the richness of the culture, and the decadence surrounding you.  Unfortunately, Mardi Gras means that all of the roads are blocked off due to traffic and daily parades. Through I had access to a vehicle, I left it parked because it was too much trouble to go anywhere.  Instead, I took a co