I really should be packing

I can't believe I'm starting a BLOG. Couldn't they think of a better name for online journaling? Sounds stupid to me. But, here I am 3 days before I leave for Tanzania, creating a blog. I'm doing it mainly for all my friends to read about my experiences while I'm there. I thought it would be easier rather than trying to send emails to everyone. So I hope everybody checks it out! Ü

There's simply not enough hours in the day. There's so much more prep I'd LIKE to do, but that would take another 2-3 weeks. Over the weekend, I gave it up saying, "I quit. It is what it is at this point. I'm going to wing it!". This is in relation to my placement & trying to prep for it. I'm going to be working at St. Andrew's Secondary School in Moshi. So I'll be whipping some teenagers into shape!haha My program manager, Laura, recommended I start researching educational activities. WHA? So I called in the troops & asked all my teacher friends for advice (thank you!!). I received websites & workbooks & I searched on my own as well. It became SO overwhelming. I will simply try my best & hope to connect w/ the kids. I hope they understand me too!

I'm so excited to be with the kids at the school. I'm bringing a frame drum so I can introduce them to Middle Eastern music/rhythms. Who knows, maybe we can have a jam session-I'll have them clap along. It'll be fun! I have neat little speakers for my Ipod (thanks Roni!!) so that might be cool to play some American music for them. Just gotta make sure there's no bad language in the songs! I'm also bringing pictures from home for "cultural sharing", so Mom,Dad, Miss, Corinna, Jay, the kids & my girls will be flashed around. I'm also bringing pics of Alaska to talk about what I did there for Geography class.

I went to LL Bean the other day & picked up a cool "safari" hat. I kept reading & hearing about "bring a hat, bring a hat". All I have is a baseball hat. SO- I got this huge, raffia hat complete with a tie under the chin if it's windy. So picture me in a straw hat, sunglasses, binoculars & camera around my neck out in a Jeep at the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti spotting some ZEBRAS!

So, I really should be packing right now. At least things are being thrown BY the suitcases. I'm getting there...

Catch ya later!