Preparations

In less than a week, I fly to England. From there, I'm off to Ghana for two weeks and then on to Senegal for seven. In the past few months, I've gone from determined to excited to nervous and back to excited again -- this is a big adventure, and I'm ready for it!

Ready is relative, however -- I still have long lists upon lists of things to do in the next few days, all the while trying to enjoy the domesticated comforts of home. Ben & Jerrys, reality television, driving to CVS to get whatever I need, quick phone calls to friends. After living abroad before, I know how wonderful those simple things are. There will be new comforts to appreciate after this summer, though, and I'm trying to recognize them now: clean drinking water from the tap, hot showers, overstocked refrigerator, and trees rustling in cool breezes.

Leaving with a taste of the many lists I'm juggling. Now, off to register with the Ghanaian and Senegalese embassies, figure out how to get my third rabies vaccine in Accra, and break in my rainboots for the rainy season in Senegal!