I'm here!

I just wanted to let everyone know that we arrived safely last night. I am safe and sound and am just going through training. Please write me letters, I hope to be in contact with some of you soon! I will have internet access for the next few days, so you can send me an email at sk338303@ohio.edu or facebook me! I will be leaving to go stay with my homestay family on Sunday!!! Whoooo hooo
Oh yeah, Tanzania is beautiful....the people are so nice and I even have electricity, an indoor shower and standard US toilet in my room (it's kinda random that the shower has no curtain or isnt separated from the toilet, just a drain by the toilet). Oh well, it works and I had an AWESOME!!! shower this morning after my 30 something hour flight! I slept pretty well lasty night, although when the lights go off...it's dark, I mean really dark! It's cool though because I have my handy dandy shake flashlight, lets hope I dont get carpal tunnel from this.... haha :-)

I love you all and hope to talk to you soon!

Bon Voyage!!!!!

As of 6:30am I will officially be off to my new adventure! I just wanted to tell everyone a final goodbye and that I love you all. I prob won't be able to have access to the phone or internet for the first week so I wont be able to call, but DONT worry!!! No news is good news (as the Peace Corps says). Well I gotta go. Off to Tanzania!!!

P.S. Aunt Judy please keep grandma from worrying too much! :-) I love you!

Five days and counting....

The time is getting closer and closer....

I am so excited!! For the past few days, I havent been doing much but packing, unpacking, trying to eliminate 10lbs from my luggage and studying swahili (which I have about 15 more hours to do...haha) I really need to get this procrastination tendency out of my system (which going to Africa is probably not the best place to go to alleviate this behavior...oh well)

I just received my Peace Corps Address, so if anyone wants to write (PLEASE DO!!!) here it is:

Stephanie Kimber/PCT
c/o Peace Corps Director
P.O. Box 9123
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Via Air Mail

* This will be my address until December 2008, I believe.... Thanks for anything you send!

Here are a few tips that I "borrowed" from another Peace Corps Volunteers blog:

For letters and packages be sure to put "Air Mail" on the front.

1) As I may have to pay a duty on packages that are too heavy, please keep the weight to around 5 pounds maximum.

2) Padded mailing envelopes seem to have the best arrival success rate.

3) When filling out the international declaration slip, you don't necessarily need to write exactly what is in the package. Certain contents are more likely to be stolen, so just writing "educational materials" or "feminine hygiene products" may ensure the package's safe arrival.

4) Again, on the international declaration slip, please do not declare the total value of the items as any amount over $10, regardless of the actual total value.

5) Other random helpful hints: write religious phrases on the packages, include "sister" before my name when addressing the package and/or use red ink & be sure to write "Air Mail" on the package.

6) Please remove as much of the packaging that the item(s) come in as possible before shipping them. It'll help reduce the weight for you & waste for me.

7) Any packages over 4 pounds cannot be mailed 1st class, but must be mailed priority. The post office has "flat rate international" boxes that may be cheaper for heavier packages, otherwise, keep them under 4 pounds & send them 1st class.

8) Finally, sending several small care packages throughout the year does much more to boost morale then one large package once a year.

I will miss you all terribly (atleast some...haha) so please write if you have the opportunity. I've heard its about 92 cents to send a letter, so please start counting those pennies!

Luv you all and the next post will probably be from Tanzania!!! Whooo hoooo