Cinq

I'm overwhelmed and tired of lists....

I'm about ready to say enough is enough, I'm ready to go!

Seis

I almost forgot to post a message on day six of my countdown!

Progress was made today even though I feel like there is a lot to do! Oh my, it is past midnight! I am tired and ready for bed. My favorite part of the day...hanging out with my family. We enjoyed some yummy stuffed acorn squash (thanks Deneb for introducing that recipe) and Boston pie for desert.

Wondering about all the stuff I'm taking with me...feels like a lot.

Sept

Where does the day go? Toby and I walked with Emily most of the way to the St.Paul Campus of the U of MN before heading to the Falcon Heights Farmers Market. The vendors stalls were loaded with fresh onions, potatoes, leeks, basil, mint, cantalope, watermelon, corn, peppers of every color, tomatoes, green onions, apples and more. Folks young and old filled the crowded aisle socializing and admiring the fine foods around us. Of course, Toby was the most popular attendee at the market. It helps to be well-mannered, little, four-legged, furry and cute. I thought one woman was going to pick him right up and take him home with her. After perusing each stand, I purchased way too much for a comfortable walk home. I couldn't resist that bag of apples. My mind kept wandering to thoughts of fresh apple pie...yum!

I am excited to experience markets in Senegal. I wonder what fruits and vegetables will be grown and available to buy? I remember the large, open-air markets in Tanzania...everything from mangoes and pomegranates to roots for your aches and pains.

Seven days.

Huit

The paperwork is being consolidated and possessions packed away. The Peace Corps folks suggest taking pictures to make our living space more homy and to give away. It's rather difficult deciding what pictures to take. I have to admit I laughed several times as I flipped through photograph after photograph. Laughter is a great cure for homesickness right? I think the PC people are onto something.

It's been a good day. My favorite part has been helping Emily come up with subjects for seven "shitty first drafts" (that's what her text book calls them) for her fiction writing class. My first suggestion was a either a city ant's experience in a garden or a country ant's experience in the city...I guess I can relate a bit. She chose the latter of the two. Then I suggested Toby as a character, which unknowingly happenned to be the name of the Comcast guy fixing our internet connection. He was rather confused (or really freaked out) when I made that suggestion. He didn't know our dog's name was Toby.

Neuf (nine)

It is a rather rainy and cold sort of day, yet I am happy for this bit of autumn. I imagine that I will miss the dramatic change of midwest weather.
I guess my countdown has begun. Nine days before I meet my closest support group in Philly. :)
My goal today is to actually put the items I have sprawled around my mom's living room into my backpack and see how much room I have to spare. Clothes I hope will protect my fair Norwegian skin from sun and sand while keeping me relatively cool, a few books that seem to follow me wherever I go, some journals (that also seem to follow me wherever I go, but remain blank..oh, the intentions), sunglasses, toilettries (should I pack toilet paper?), an army knife and diamond sharpener, powdered goat milk (you never know), a silk sleep sack, an inflatable beach ball of the world, the best camera I've ever owned (thanks Sherry, Pat and Steve!), a nalgene, two pairs of shoes....so far so good.