The Adventure Begins!

Hi everyone!
I've never done a blog before, so I hope this lives up to your expectations and isn't too incredibly boring :)

Only a few short hours until Kendra and I will be off to the airport.  I still can't believe we're actually going!  To AFRICA!  And to think it all started with a little texting...

Deanna: "Hey, wanna go to Africa for a few months next year?"
Kendra: "Yes!"

And so it began.  So simply!

I'm sure those of you that are actually reading this already know, but just in case...I'm going to the far away land of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to volunteer in an orphanage.  I'll be there for 12 weeks, working in the orphanage Monday through Friday and hopefully doing lots of sightseeing on the weekends (I know, Kim and Cheryl...you don't think there are any sights to see...but I've heard otherwise;) ).  While I'm there, I have a dream to ride a camel and an elephant.  Because that would just be awesome, obviously.  I have no clue if this is even possible, but I have high hopes.  I'm also planning on befriending a donkey...I hear they're all over the place out there.  I figure it'd be kind of like a puppy.

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with my packing job.  We are allowed to check two suitcases and carry on one.  We had a slight problem today when we discovered that our checked bags can only weight 44 pounds...not 50.  It doesn't seem like a big difference, six pounds, but it really is!  After some rearranging and a few eliminations, we've shed some suitcase pounds though and are hoping for the best :)  My biggest suitcase is still a bit overweight...but it's all toys, stuffed animals, and other things for the kids.  So I'm hoping the airline will let that slide.  We'll see how nice they are!  Besides that, I'm bringing my big backpack that travelled with me to Europe.  That sucker weighs a wonderful 45 pounds (I know, one pound over!) and I'm proud to say I can carry it on my back, no problem.  It's filled with everything I need for three months in Africa...lots of bug spray, soap, meds and band-aids, among other random things.  Last and most impressive, I have fit all the clothes I'll be taking into my small carry-on suitcase.  If you know me, you know I usually pack more than that when I fly to Arizona for a week.  Therefore, pretty impressive.

Today, I've been working hard to live up my last day in America.  Mom graciously turned up the water heater and I took the longest, hottest shower I think I have ever taken in my life.  With my eyes wide open.  My doctor says there can be none of that in Africa...apparently we don't want dirty water sneaking in through our eyes and making us sick!  After that, I planned a lot of eating.  Mom made pancakes for breakfast, and bought me Portillo's for lunch.  Kendra and I have planned a stop at Chipotle on the way to the airport tonight.  Yum.  After that, it's African food for us!  Injera and wat, here we come!

We leave tonight at 9pm and land in Ethiopia on Wednesday at 1am (Ethiopian time).  On the way, we get to spend a delightful three hours in Turkey.  That should be exciting, I've never been to Turkey before! I'm sure their airport will be thrilling.  It'll take 11 hours to get to Turkey, and another 5 to get to Ethiopia.  Fun times, for sure.

Alright, that's enough about my life while I'm still in America.  The exciting stuff (hopefully!) comes after I start living my life in Addis Ababa.  I'm not sure how fantastic internet will be in the volunteer house, but I'll get back on here when I can after I arrive to update you all!  Thanks so much to all my family and friends who have helped me make it this far...I couldn't have done this without you :)

Peace out, America...see you in April!!