Jambo from Kenya!

I have arrived safely in Kenya. It has been a rough trip to say the least. I have little time to elaborate, but have managed to lose my bag already after an hour and a half delay in London-Heathrow. At least half the plane did as well, which made me less nervous about getting it back, but difficult to get through the line to report its absence. Things are going well other than these setbacks, and although I just want to change out of my clothes from Yesterday, I have been exploring Nairobi and enjoying the company of the other interns. I will be heading to Kakamega tomorrow. Hopefully, with my bag.

Why is Kenya on the other side of my finals?

My mind is far ahead of my body, and already has journeyed to Kenya, while my body has a week left in the real world. Unfortunately, finals stand between here and there, and they are difficult when your mind is not longer here, but there, waiting for you anxiously and excitedly. Why is Kenya on the other side of my finals? The scary thing is that I will be there before I know it, and only have finals to show for it. I wish I could spend this last week enjoying San Diego with my friends before I have to say goodbye. Most of the people who will watch me go, will not be here to see me when I return.

Going, Going, Almost Gone

In my eyes, my Going Away Shindig/Fundraiser was more than successful. I didn't expect it to be as fun as it was. I was sick with nervousness and anxiety for three days leading up to it and it turned out to be a waste of emotion, as it was the perfect note to leave on. I realized how many amazing and generous people I have in my life. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. The relief that came with the end of the party was great, as now I only feel excitement when thinking about leaving, although a little sadness appears from time to time, having to say goodbye to so many amazing people, most of which will not be here when I return. I want to thank everyone who was involved. I will be thinking of each and every one of you when I am in Kenya.

I loved this picture of Renee and Amanda. They have made the Pannikin a home to me and have been so helpful and encouraging with everything. Thanks guys!

17 Days Until Kenya

I am going to be in Kenya in a little less than two weeks. This is all a little hard to comprehend. Although I have moderate travel experience, this trip is so unlike anything I have previously done, so now I cannot even imagine what this will be like. My nerves are a mess right now.

I will be spending the next three months living in Kakamega, Kenya, a town in Western Kenya near the Ugandan border and Lake Victoria. I will be working through an organization called the Foundation for Sustainable Development. My three month internship will be with an organization in Kakamega, called Rush, in which I will do community outreach with women and children who have HIV/AIDS. I will be living with a family in Kenya, and will be working to help create and implement a project that is sustainable and will help the community I am living with. This is such an exciting opportunity, as my university career has centered around studying these types of projects and the work I will be doing. It is so hard to imagine everything I have learned about in my classes, actually being my real life.

The pre-trip preparations have been difficult, with anxiety taking over more and more frequently. I cannot remember feeling this way before I went on Semester at Sea. It puzzles me as to how calm I could have been before my first big trip away from home, being gone for 4 months and visiting 10 countries. With that and many other trips on my travel resume, it would make sense for me to be calm and prepared for what lies ahead. Well maybe ignorance was bliss.