yep....... i did it!

For everyone who is wondering..... I PASSED!!! i passed the language exam! That made the start of the weekend awesome! Basically a 3 day weekend for us! Friday we all hung out and celebrated, than on Saturday we celebrated some more!
Sunday was an adventure on its own...... I killed a chicken.....then cooked it!. My family says i have the courage of a Kenyan. My friend, another volunteer had me over for lunch. Her mom held the chicken while I cut its head off. Now some you may think that this is barbarian, but in Kenyan if you want chicken, this is how you do it. Atleast you know where it is coming from and how it was treated before its death. I did not throw up or pass out for those of you who are wondering. After the slaughtering, we de feathered it than gutted it. YES I HAVE PICTURES, which i will post as soon as possible. We ended up frying it, it was delicious! I than went home after lunch and continued to bake brownies for my family in a jiko oven. For those who don't know, we don't have an american oven. So to bake things we make an over by placing a huge sufria (pot) on the stove, than putting sand in the bottom. than place the smaller sufria inside to bake. Put a lid on top and you got yourself an oven. My family loved them! Especially my 4 year old nephew! Ok this will be my last post until next week when we get to Nairobi! Hope everyone has a great week!

Kenyan time flies

Habari friends and family
We have 1 week left in training, time has just flown by! this time next week we will be saying good by to our homestay families and leaving for Nairobi. Swear in is on Wednesday the 17th.  For those of you who are dying to know, my cow has not had a baby yet, im beginning to wonder if she really is pregnant, or just fat? hehehe We took our final language exam today! We won't get the results until monday, so everybody pray that I passed and that you wont be seeing me sooner than we all expected.

I have compiled a list of items that would be glorious to have from home: (ofcourse no expectations, I will love anything that is sent to me :)
      Poptarts: brownsugar or smores
      MnM's Nutella, italian seasoning and garlic salt, little debby oatmeal pies, instant oatmeal, dark chocolate, PICTURES off everyone, oatmeal cliff bars, almonds, mayo mustard and relish packets (to make tuna salad) tuna in packs too!, cute tops and jewlery from anywhere! i miss new clothes lol, cheez its, magazines, raisins, and anything else!!
These items are not necessities but just some things that we dont have here and are sometimes missed. I plan on finally uploading photos when i get to Nairobi! soo keep a look out for a new post. I will also post my new address as soon as I know it, so you can get those goodies in the mail!!! Ill update soon! xoxoxoxo
  

Latest from Kenya

So I apologize for not updating everyone in a while.  Heres whats been happening. 2 weeks ago our health group traveled to a small village and worked with a mobil clinic to check children and pregnant mother for malnutrition.  We learned how to measure there arms and check their weight and height. I spent the whole time feeding the children de worming pills and vitamins. I absolutely loved it! Finally felt like I was doing real work and actually helping people. After this on Tuesday our whole training group headed to Taveta for a AIDS workshop. Well we learned little about AIDS, but got to enjoy american showers and AMAZING food! They spoiled us like crazy. We got to stay out past curfew, which here in Loitockitock is 6:30.  I felt like a mini vacation, which I think was definitely needed for everyone.  After Taveta, we broke up into small groups and traveled to spend a few days with a current volunteer. My group stayed in Mbale. It was sooooooo beautiful. The volunteer we stayed with had fruit trees growing around his house, and lots of monkeys! Yep it was another vacation.  Finally got to wear my tank tops and get a little sun.  We got to enjoy the local made yogart, (which was cold!) Cold beverages are hard to come by around these parts.  We hiked the huge mountain, it was so beautiful! I can't wait to upload all my pictures for you guys! 
Now were all back in Loitockitock.  We have 3 weeks left here. Its sad to think that soon we will all be going our separate ways.  Im sure it will feel like leaving my roomies after college :( We have all become close friends.  In three weeks we will head to Nairobi for swear in at the Ambassadors house. I had 2 outfits made, so now I just have to decide which one to wear! I post those pics too.
I know my family is worried about my eating here.... don't worry too much, my mama tells me I am getting much bigger! Yea, funny to think that here in Kenya it a compliment to have a fat kid. Im getting sick of the food anyway, same thing every other day. A few of us have decided to start making are lunches, it will save us money, which  means I can get more clothes made!
Thats all for now! Missing America but Loving Kenya MORE! xoxoxoxo 

Can you say "chapati baby?"

This shout out goes out to Holly ! and anyone else who is planning on visiting me :) you will not be staying in a tent out in the wild! unless you want to of course. I have found out that I will be placed in Turbo, which is a small town outside Elderot.  You can start looking up flights :) more details later, but fyi I will be staying in a 4 bedroom house with another volunteer, it has western toilets and an american shower, with electricity and running water. I guess someone decided I am roughing it enough during training. 
 Here is a little bit of whats been going on in Loitockitock. Everyday we have several hours of language training, i may actually be able to speak kiswahili by the end! We also have culture and other training after lunch. Foods I eat, well lately its been peanut butter and jelly sandwich's for lunch, its cheaper and i get sick of the local foods. Which include: ugali (really thick grits, eatin with kale) (2-3 times a week) beans, rice, beans, chapati, beans, cabbage, beans, aroroot, pancakes, and more beans. Good thing i like beans! The food here truly is not bad, and usually pretty healthy minus all of the carbs. i.e. my Chapati baby!
 On Tuesdays and Saturdays is market day. This means Everyone from here and surrounding areas comes to sell item including: fruits, vegetables, new and used clothing, pretty much everything! I have already purchased several skirts, tops and others. I will post pictures when I get chance, but im still using cyber cafe so that will be awhile. That pretty much it so far. Email me for personal stuff! Happy 4th of July!!! xoxoxoxo

1 week down

I have been in training for a week now! It feels like we have been here for a month, in a good way. My host family is wonderful.  Language classes are okay so far, but are definitely starting to get tricky.  My home here is really nice, but pioneer standards by the United States. My toilet "choo" is a hole in the ground (im serious) And my shower is in a bucket.  But i am already used to both and it feels almost normal. This weekend I will finally do some laundry, which is also out of a bucket. 

The food here is good, but the same almost everyday. Including rice, beans, Ugali (really thick grits) lots of veggies and fruit. My family grows bananas and avocados, so i get them everyday.  I can't upload any pictures yet because we don't have internet. Im writting from an internet cafe for 1 1/2 shilings a minute.  I will continue updating when possible.  Email me if you want a quicker response. I do have a phone but use it mostly for in country things.  I miss everyone!

Oh by the way my family has a cow and it's pregnant and due this month! Im so excited!

Im leaving on a jet plane

We're flying out tomorrow! We will arrive in Kenya Wednesday night around 10:30.  I won't have access to internet for a few days so emailing me will be the best way to contact me. I will update everyone as soon as possible! Much love!

Last night

This is my last night at home, my bags are packed and I have said "see ya soon" to all of my friends and family.  Technically staging isn't till Monday but my parents are driving me to Philly tomorrow to see some family.  I have had an exciting time preparing for this journey and now finally, the time has come to adventure out!!!



I started packing on monday:

and just finished about an hour ago:

(this of course is minus my 2 carry ons)

I have had many going away parties with friends and family and I am very grateful for all of the support and blessings I have received.  I will miss everyone and I will try to keep everyone updated as often as I can.

Here are some pics from my multiple parties :)

There were many others takin but that would take me forever to load hehehe. 

Next time I write I will be in Philly or Kenya! Cheers!