Three Days Before Departure

Wow, how quickly time has passed! It is weird to think that in just four days I'll be in Philadelphia for orientation and then boarding a plane two days later to South Africa! The past few weeks I've been able to spend a lot of time with family and friends. It's been great just catching up with old high school/college/teacher friends as well as all my extended family . My parents had a going away party for me on Saturday that was a bit overwhelming and emotional for me, but it was great to see everyone. On Monday I was able to go to Cedar Point with Lacey, Kelsey, and Alisha (three of my cousins) which was a "screaming good time"! Unfortunately we don't have any pictures from the rollar coasters to prove it, however I think that's in my best interest not to have them!! Tuesday was spent packing and really trying to determine what was "essential items" that I feel like I have to have during the two month training and then determing items that I could have to consider "non-essentials" that I could do without for the first two months. Today was spent running errands/taking care of last minutes things and then spent the evening with a few of my best friends I also had the opportunity to talk with Rena, one of my team teachers that I taught with, who is just fabulous and so encouraging! Tomorrow my parents and brother are going to dinner and bowling as a family. Friday I plan just relax around the house, watch a movie and maybe catch Oprah, eat some icecream, spend a little time with my cats (ha ha), no real set agenda for the day which should be relaxing. Saturday we're having a huge family game night. Nothing like a flashback to childhood like a family game night!! Then Sunday at 11am I'll be flying out of Columbus to Philadelphia for staging.

For the first two months of Pre-Service Training, there may or may not be regular communication with me (based upon what I've read, heard from county directors, and other volunteers). I might not have telephone access and internet access at all, so postal mail letters will be the best form of communication during the first two months. Once Pre-Service Training is completed (end of September/beginning of October) I will be able to get a cell phone. If you want the number you can call/email my parents or email me (ladybuckeye22@yahoo.com). Also, once training is completed I will have more access to internet so I'll be able to email and/or post message to blog. As far as letters and packages go, they say it usually takes 2-4 weeks for letters to be received. Please date and number letters so I'll know if/when I'm receiving letters. If you're planning to send a letter during Pre-Service Training, send it to:

Sarah Gray, PCT
Peace Corps
PO Box 9536
Pretoria 0001
South Africa

If I gave you an address that included Hatfield in address please discard, I have been informed that it is an old address and the one above should be used instead.