Let’s begin with: I HATE PACKING. AND SHOPPING. AND WAITING. Add to it that I have already done this once when I thought I’d be heading to Madagascar [Read Every. Single. Thing. I packed for Madagascar] in February. When I thought I’d be heading to Madagascar, there was an above average chance that I’d…
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Tick Tock
Tonight I had dinner with one of my best friends and as if often the case, we got around to talking about my upcoming plans. The immediate [I leave in two and a half weeks], the intermediate [I want to go to NP school when I get back], and the distant [I’d like to get…
Peace Corps Update
When I share with someone that I’m joining the Peace Corps, I get one of two reactions: “OMG, how long is that? TWO YEARS! How can you afford to do that? What about work? What about your house? What about [fill in the blank]________________?” This exclamation is often accompanied by a facial expression of…
Home–it’s a feeling more than a place
A lot of Peace Corps’ Volunteers post photos and /or videos about their Peace Corps’ homes–and I plan to do that as well. But this one is a little different. While I’ve still got a few more days until I depart for Rwanda, I wanted to celebrate my new home, and what I hope will…
‘Shit-hole’ countries–where exactly is that
I am headed for a shit-hole… that is if one listens to the current president. This presents somewhat of a dilemma because why would one voluntarily give up life ‘in the best country in the world’ to go live and work in a ‘shit-hole’ country? Call me crazy I guess. Some of these countries are…
10 weeks to go
In the time between now and June 4, I’ll be posting some of my favorite past adventures because they’ll be much more exciting that another omg…it’s getting closer post. Also it will help to remind me of my adventurous self, and that I have been through some amazing life experiences [good and bad], and I’ve…
A new beginning
Quick synopsis: The Great Sickness of 2018 happened, and I didn’t leave for Peace Corps | Madagascar on February 25 as scheduled. A bit of background: In 2005 I became a pediatric respiratory therapist and have been working in health care ever since. I became a registered nurse in 2015 with the goal of choosing a…
Answering the basic questions
Every aspiring journalist knows what the five W’s are–it’s essentially a how to for writing. Who, What, When , Where, and Why. If you can answer all those questions, then you’ve got an effective story. So let’s begin, shall we? WHO I’m Michelle and until the end of May, I’ll be hanging out a my…
5 steps to survive taking an electric shower
2018 Michelle checking in here: The electric shower is a scary occurrence in several areas of central/south America. One one hand, I’m grateful for hot, flowing water; on the other hand, I was seriously scared for my life. BUT figuring out how to work this calamity was one of my greater travel achievements. I don’t think there will…
Answers to the most frequently asked questions
I’m in the medical/legal clearance stage right now so I haven’t told a lot of people I’ve been accepted to the Peace Corps until it’s a go, but the ones who do know definitely have questions. Question 1: What exactly is the Peace Corps? John F Kennedy established the Peace Corps was established in 1961….