48 Hours Until Departure!

I'm leaving in less than 48 hours, and I JUST started getting my stuff together for this summer. The longest trip I've ever been on was 14 days, so I didn't anticipate how hard it would be to cram every thing I will need for the next 2 months into ONE suitcase. I'm known to pack enough stuff for a small army, even if I'm just going on a weekend trip, so condensing my life into a small bag could require a lot of strategic planning. After browsing the aisles of Target, Marshalls, and REI for a few hours, I've finally checked everything off my list of things to pack.

Like Emily, I've been eating every thing I possibly can since I got home to Durham. I'm trying to get as sick of Ice Cream and Bruegger's Bagels as I can, so I won't miss them too much this summer.

In addition to eating my body weight, I've been going through a variety of emotions over the past couple weeks. At any given time I might be nervous, excited, stressed out, or any combination of the three. The most "rugged" trip I've ever taken was a week long camping trip to Ocracoke Island, so I think I'm in for a bit of a rude awakening in a few short days. However, once I get over the initial culture shock and hot shower withdrawal, I'm positive that this will be an AMAZING experience. Even though my childhood obsession with The Lion King started my love for Africa, I know there's a lot more to it than wild animals and beautiful scenery.

At this point, I don't have many interesting things to say. Hopefully my blogging will improve once I'm there. Until then, wish me (and my luggage) luck with getting to Uganda in one piece!

packing=strugglefest.

Hopefully for the 8 weeks that I'm in Uganda, my extremely awkward writing style (run on sentences are a personal favorite) won't get in the way of posting a semi-legit blog. As of right now, there are approximately four days until I leave and I've been running back and forth between my house, REI, Target, and other "prepare for a trip to Africa" places like I'm some sort of psycho whose had 5+ cups of coffee and 8 bags of sour patch kids.

I'm freaking mostly because I'm excited, and some because I'm a natural born spaz. In response to J. Reddy's blog about cutting back on her food portions, I've actually been doing the opposite and eating enough to sustain a fully grown elephant. But seriously, I've eaten like 3 chocolate milkshakes today and it's only 1:12 pm.

As a rookie traveler, I've never been anywhere with the exception of Niagra Falls in 6th grade. Needless to say I'm a travel wuss, although I'm sure Canada does have its rough spots. Basically my goals are to rid Africa of as many mosquitoes as humanly possible, to learn everything I can, to help everyone I can, and to not get stampeded by any of the numerous amounts of wild animals. We'll see how that's going when I post again next week. Uganda, you aren't gunna know what hit you.

Uganda. 7 days and counting.

This time next week I will be on a flight bound for Uganda. Granted, it will then take approximately 36 hours to get there, but I will have begun the journey nonetheless.

All nine of the interns have spent over a semester preparing for this trip with weekly meetings, trainings, fundraisers and grant applications, but the time has finally come to actually board a plane and go live in Uganda. It's kind of scary and surreal to be honest because all of the sudden things that were once just discussions and handouts are now about to be real-life experiences. I don't really know what to expect. I know that I'm excited and scared and nervous and thrilled all at the same time. There are so many emotions and anticipations that sometimes I don't even know what to think.

Over the last week I've been getting together supplies and items to take to Uganda, both personal belongings as well as materials for my internship. I've managed to come up with some office supplies to donate as well as clothes and other various items. I'v trying to limit the amount of personal items I'm bringing because I have a tendency to overpack, but it's hard to try and sort through the necessities and narrow down all the random "suggested" lists that various friends and past interns have given me. In the end I know it does not really matter what I bring and all these material possessions are just a small piece of a great adventure and learning experience.

I've had the opprtunity to travel abroad many times with my family, missions trips and through study abroad, but in all my world travelling I've never been to Africa. All of my pre-trip expectations are based on other's stories, pictures and experiences and while I'm excited to travel to an unknown place, the "unknown" of it is kind of overwhelming. I'm expecting some culture-shock and I know I will feel uncomfortable at first, but I'm ready for a challenge. It's going to be especially hard to be away from friends and family and have limited contact with them. (although I will say that, like Jamilla, I will be happy to be away from all the facebook, email and internet onslaught of our culture)

I have already collected a large pile of books and journals to take for entertainment and to document my life while abroad. I plan on taking my camera, so hopefully I will be able to upload some pictures to share while I am in Kampala and working with Katosi.

In spite of my nerves, I know that this opportunity is the chance of a lifetime and will be a great stepping stone for me in my future career pursuits. I have so much to learn and I am willing and ready. Can't wait to share my adventures and new experiences with you!

Get ready Uganda, here we come.

For now,
Lauren

Warning: I'm a bad blogger

I'm not actually sure if this is going to work but I hope so, so here it goes!

5 days until I leave for Uganda!! I keep going back and forth between really excited, nervous, awestruck, then excited. I've got all my "supplies" but have no idea how I'm going to fit everything into 2 backpacks....

I went and bought a TON of crayons and things to bring, so I hope the kids I see like to color! Alright, I have to get back to my packing challenge. See you in Uganda!

uganda in basically a week??

So I just realized that im going to Uganda in about a week and couldn't be more excited. I can't believe its finally time to go, and no, I have not started packing. I gurantee I'm probably going to be that girl that overpacks but I am going to try my hardest to limit my packing gear. I am absolutely thrilled to be going yet nervous as my parents and family keeps telling me that I need to be careful and that I am not allowed to get sick. As you can tell, my family is not big on traveling and I am happy to be starting a new trend for us. I cant wait to send my family and friends pictures of kyetume and kampala and show them all the new people I meet. I cant wait to get started!!:)

Gettin' Reddy (get it?)

Hey kids. Jamila Reddy here. So I leave for Uganda in less than two weeks, and I'm feeling more than unprepared. Moms is holding down the fort. I have no doubt that everything will be taken care of before I leave. I've been in a panic the last three weeks about my passport and visa and yellow fever immunization card, which has been held hostage at the DC Ugandan Embassy because I sent the wrong envelope. #Fail. No worries now, though. I got my Visa on Friday -_- (sent it off Monday...so much for "Express Overnight").

I have a wisdom tooth growing in (awesome timing) so I have a dentist appointment tomorrow to make sure nothing crazy goes down with it while I'm in Uganda. I'm really just excited to see what it's like, to meet the kids at New Hope and to be away from technology for a bit.

I'm racking up on my books and refurnishing my iTunes, ready for three months away from Twitter and UNC and people who move too fast. I'm sure I'll be ready to come back to it all circa August, but right now, I'm excited.

I've also started eating less....One: because that Junior 15 was not a joke and two: because I know my diet will be all kinds of buckwild in Uganda, and I don't want to get there and feel like I'm starving.

Talked to Miranda on the phone today about Mountain Shoes and water filters, feeling really positive that she's my travel buddy. :)

Welp, that's it for me. Off to a birthday potluck. Until next time.

And the Anxiety/Nervousness/Excitement begins...

Hi all,

So, today is Tuesday, May 11 and I leave for Uganda in approx. two weeks. I am very anxious, nervous, and excited all in one. Currently, I have nothing packed. NO GOOD! However, me and my mom are going shopping for the essentials tomorrow. I just hope that I have everything I need. I dont want to get over there and realize I have forgot my Malaria medication! Jamilla just sent me a master list of what I need so me and my mom are going to go off that! HA! Shoutout to Jamilla! My other concern is safety, but its nothing major. Im just nervous because this is my first time out of the country. Overall, I am exited though. I cannot wait to meet so many new people and explore Uganda. I know it will be the experience of a lifetime. Until next time....