Ok, it’s kinda late but I wanted to make one more update from the states before we take off to Africa!
After turning in all my paperwork and registration form, I am officially a Peace Corps Trainee! *happy dance*
I’m in Philadelphia right now and Staging was today. For those who don’t know, Staging is our pre-service orientation. There are about 37 of us going to Malawi, so we all meet here at a hotel and from 12:30-7 today we met to talk about what’s to come. We did activities and ice breaker games. We talked about Peace Corps and reassessed our commitment and what it all meant to us. We discussed anxieties and aspirations, as well as threats and how to handle them.
It was great to be with all these people who are not only super awesome, but are going through the same things, have the same fears, and you don’t have to justify to why you’re doing this. I’m having a great time!
So now it’s about 11:30 and we have to check out of the hotel by 7am tomorrow. We’re taking a bus to NYC, JFK airport. Our flight leaves at 4:00! We first fly to Amsterdam (no we can’t leave the airport), then from there to Kenya, then from Kenya to Malawi!
I can’t believe today is already over! I can’t believe I leave tomorrow! It’s so crazy…
After Staging I went with a few other trainees to get real Philly Cheesesteak! We went to Pat’s and Geno’s Steak, two rival cheesesteak places that are literally right across the street from each other. Yes, I got one from each and am crazy full, but oh my way it delicious! And I must say, Pat’s was better 
I’m glad I got to have that experience while I’m here and it was a lot of fun!
Me eating a Pat’s cheesesteak with cheese wiz! Yummy!!
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Ok, this is it! I love you all back at home, and I will miss you very much! Thanks for all that you’ve done for me. Don’t forget to write me!
Tiwonana!
Yea!!!! So, happy to hear from you and that everything is great. I knew it would be. You are just an amazing, awesome young lady and I am so fortunate to be your Grandma. I love, love, love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will go write today.
Hey Ashleigh – I’m a friend of your grandmas. Have a really great adventure. One of my son’s friends is a PC Volunteer in Cambodia and we keep up with him. Looking forward to hearing all about your explorations and activities.
Marcia
Hey Ashleigh,
I am your Gma’s oldest friend and will be following your great adventure in Malawi. You carry your grandmother’s love of adventure and beautiful soul. May the Great Spirit rest on your shoulder during your travels. xx Pat
just ran across this–I’m a PCV nominee for science education in Africa leaving June 2011! your blog has been so helpful in figuring out timeline/planning etc… thanks so much!
Ashleigh, Just wanted to say Hi from all of us. Know we are thinking of you! Hope you are having fun, learning lots and We know you are doing great things with these people.
Take Care! Love, The Steichen’s