Rosetta Stone = My Life

I've spent the better part of the last three days estudiando Espanol (studying Spanish).  As you can tell, I'm well on my way to becoming fluent.  I've been using Rosetta Stone which I got a free subscription from through the Peace Corps.  I would recommend the program as it seems to be easy to use, educational and not completely boring.  One aspect that does annoy me is the voice recognition.  I'm not a huge fan of repeating the same Spanish phrase into my laptop over and over and over again while my family gets the enjoyment of witnessing my struggles.  

As for this weekend, I'm going to be visiting with friends in the Albany area.  With only a little over two weeks left, I don't want to waste any time that I could be spending with friends and/or family.  Quality time with one of my best friends?  Yes, please!

North Country Public Radio

I got an email yesterday from my father telling me to tune in to NCPR on Friday.  Apparently there's a 'special message' that I need to listen to airing at 8:30 am, noon, 4:30, 6:06 and 10 pm.  It's so important he told me to put it on my blog for my friends and family to hear.  Not in the area to listen?  Don't worry, apparently you can listen at ncpr.org.  

As for my plans today?  Got a big day ahead of trying to find the floor in my bedroom at my mother's house. Yea... it's going to be a long day.

Orientation & Travel Schedule

I received my travel arrangements for orientation today.  My flight leaves from Syracuse on Tuesday, June 16th at 6:40 am with one layover in Cleveland and arriving in Miami at 11:28 am.  Following that, I'm off to the Double Tree where I have my 'official registration as a Peace Corps trainee' at 1:30 and 'Welcome to Peace Corps and start of Training Program' from 3:00-7:00.  Surprisingly I have nothing Peace Corps related for the rest of the evening.  I'm thinking cocktails at the hotel bar while getting to know my fellow trainees.  

As for Wednesday, it's pretty standard.  Get up, check out of the hotel, head to the airport, jump on a plane and arrive in Quito, Ecuador by 6:30 pm. 

3 weeks until orientation

Having only three weeks left until my orientation in Miami on June 16th, I'm feeling a mixture of emotions.  Excited?  A little.  Nervous?  I'm getting there.  I guess I'm still waiting for everything to sink in.  The idea of living in a country for the next 26 months where I've never even visited before is hard to wrap my head around.  Not to mention moving to a different continent away from all my friends and family, where I do not know the customs, language or the people.  (Yet!)  I'm not worried, I'm sure i'll start freaking out within the next week when I have to begin thinking about packing.