Mini Adventuressss

Two weekends ago my parents paid a visit and we went up north to explore Maine. While beautiful, itwouldhave been a whole lot more fun had it been warm. We picked up allthese brochures at the hotel for hiking, moose observing, whale watching, camping, swimming, kayaking, and the like but of course it was snowing. Instead we went to the world’s largest LLBean store (campus really), saw the world’s largest chocolate moose (my life is now complete…), and drove around to a couple of lighthouses. I think my parents enjoyedseeing my apartment and they left with a bit more understanding of why I am always complaining about theBoston weather!

Last weekend I took a mini road trip down to Newport, Rhode Island. A girl I worked with at Cambridge Associates went to school at Salve Regina University in Newport and was always going on about how beautiful it was so I figured I should probably see it before I move! And you all know how much I just love setting out on a road trip adventure! Anyway, it was absolutely stunning. I had no idea how much history Newport has – it was founded in the 1600s and is home to a bunch of super old mansions and the church where JFK and Jackie got married. Plus it is right on a rocky shoreline. I would love to head back when it gets warm (if that ever happens) and hit the beach!

Things are falling together for my move to South Africa. I bought my flight a few days ago – I fly out of St. Louis on June 29^th, have an extra long layover in London in which I hope to explore the city, and then I land in beautiful Cape Town on the morning of July 1^st. The next step is the find a flat in Stellenbosch. I have been watching Gumtree (the South African equivalent of craigslist) looking for people advertising open rooms because I would rather not live alone. I also had a friend that I met last time I was there tell me that she has an open room in her house so I am really hoping that that works out. She lives with two other girls, which would be a lot of fun. We shall see! I also believe I successfully found a subleaser for my Boston apartment – she even wants to buy my furniture, which is just perfect. I will be able to literally pack my closes and leave at the end of May. From Boston I plan on exploring Canada for a week, then meeting my family in Michigan for 10 or so days, and then spending about a week in the lou before moving on to SA!!

bed bugs, birthdays, and big news

My last few weeks in a nutshell...

I unknowingly killed one of my first Bostonian friends with my bare foot... I woke up the other day and went straight for water in my kitchen before putting in my contacts (you all know I have awful vision). I heard (and felt) a crunch under my foot but figured it was just some crumbs I had forgotten to clean up. Nope, definitely NOT crumbs. I put my contacts in and found a large cockroach in my kitchen, legs still kicking as it fought against death. I seriously got chills all day when I thought about how my foot, my SKIN, had touched that gross intruder. Now I am paranoid and wake up in the middle of the night thinking I hear the scurrying footsteps of cockroaches, rodents, and bed bugs (which are apparently a HUGE deal around here). Like those good old days of lice outbreaks in elementary school...

Last weekend I celebrated a friend's birthday in NYC and had such a good time playing in the city. I forgot how much I love NYC - the fast pace, the hodgepodge of people, and how you can go from feeling like you are in Italy to feeling like you are in China just by walking a few blocks. Perhaps I will have to live there for a bit at some point in my life? Best part by far was walking down Canal Street in ChinaTown and getting caught up in the whole fake bag chaos. Those people seriously have a fake version of anything you could ever want (DVDS, purses, NorthFace, even iPods???) What's the point of a fake iPod? They all thought they were being so sleuth but really doesn't everyone know what goes on down those side streets?

The parentals are headed up for a visit this weekend and we are going to spend a few days in Maine! I already have my grocery and Target list compiled as I think a bit of shopping needs to happen. I'm sure they have missed spending money on me...

Anyway, things are still going well. I am still working at Cambridge Associates and trying to hold on to my sanity. The job really is that bad. They actually asked me to stay another 6 months, and while flattered, I declined. The temp agency I am working with told me I could easily find something better by then. And good thing because................

I'M MOVING TO SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read correctly! I really am moving back! I was notified the other day that I have an internship at a small NGO called Women on Farms (http://www.wfp.org.za/)! I don't know a whole lot of details but it sounds like I will be working on their Young Women's Project which is mainly about empowering young women in poverty living on the wine farms. And the office is in Stellenbosch, where I studied last year! I seriously have been smiling ever since I opened that email! I don't think it could be any more perfect for me. So now I am trying to find cheap airfare (pretty much impossible), get all my visa requirements together, and find housing. I will leave in June and the internship runs July-December! AHHHHHH - I already started a packing list, that is how excited I am.