Tonight is the last night in the US for 27 months!

After a long, but great intro bonding experience: Staging.
We had our last session today, in our spiffy "business casual wear," and now we're declared: Ready at last!

Here's some pictures taken of our games.

Here's Ann, Sarah, and Susie. Neal and Nils.



Brandon. Richard, Brandon, Mike, Ann, Nils, and Rob.




Betsy and Keith.

This is our table, covered with water glasses and papers. This was probably the most focused seminar/meeting/speaker thing I've ever been to; its awesome that we are all so ready to be Peace Corps members and that we're all so serious and excited about it!

We won't forget you Jenn! Romania, group 24's Staging Director

Words some of stated to define our emotions:
- excitement
- anticipation
- ready
- nervous
- scared
- stoked after 2 years of applying
- can't wait!

I am leaving the US at 4:20pm from New York to Germany! and then to Romania! Wow.

To family and friends, I won't be able to contact people well the first week.
Not because I don't want to, but because I may not be able to.

So, I'll let you know what I expect to be doing versus telling you what I've been doing:

Thursday: Arrive in Romania, do all sorts of formal stuff and get shots, and travel to Polesti (where I'll be training and living for 3 months)
Friday: Do more formal stuff and go over safety and other relevant information
Saturday: Same stuff
Sunday: Meet host family (Gazda!)! and probably move in with them

3 months: classes every day, hanging out with gazda, learning Romanian, and keeping family and friends updated.


Important information:
1.) Talking to Cynthia through Skype is free, Cynthia calling from Skype won't charge your cellphone or landline bill to receive.
2.) Cynthia will be training in Polesti, not Bucharest.
3.) Cynthia can receive letter mail at or smaller than 8"x11", she can't receive packages at all.
4.) Cynthia is very excited/nervous/ready.