11 days and counting...

Over the past few weeks I have been finalizing forms, booking my flights, starting to say goodbyes and trying to keep life under control. It's been a bit hectic, but hey - that's been the norm lately.

Also, two of my closest friends from school (my roommate of 3 year and our other roommate from senior year) came to visit for a long weekend and it was wonderful. We had a great time both relaxing and being silly - I've certainly missed living with them since graduating!

Christmas was also in there somewhere. With this brought lots of get-togethers with friends and family. We were able to get all of my high school friends and our families together at our house, which is a feat with 6 of us plus working and traveling parents, but it was wonderful to have everyone together. Then that night us girls had our annual Christmas party with caroling and gingerbread house building. Then came Christmas Eve when we got together with another family, as per tradition. Christmas was great and relaxing - church, gifts, family, and across-the-street neighbors/practical family spontaneously coming over. Then my uncle and his family came over on the 26th. Phew! But it has been wonderful to see everyone before I leave.

Like I said, I've booked my flight - evening flight to Miami on the 9th, and flight to Panama on the 11th with my group! I'm finally getting everything together - bought a big backpack yesterday, a lightweight sleeping bag, some quick-dry pants and some lighter cotton shirts, among other things. It's a whole (somewhat stressful) process. With more to come after I studying for the GRE over the next few days.

I also had coffee with a Panama RPCV on the 24th, which was wonderful because she gave me some great tips and made me so excited to meet all of the PC/Panama staff and explore everything! Things seem to be coming together, somehow - but the 9th is coming up here quickly!

My schedule from here on out:
     Pack and get my things here in order
     GRE - Jan 3rd
     Miami - 9th (Staging)
     Panama (!!!!!) - 11th (Training)

We will be in Santa Rita for the majority of training, with several trips offsite to visit current PCVs in their communities. Training will be 10 weeks of intense language, culture, health, safety, and job training. I'll be living with a host family for the majority of this time, but if you want to send me mail over the next 10 weeks, send it to:
     Savannah Hicks - Peace Corps
     Edificio 240, 3er Piso
     Calle Víctor Iglesias
     Ciudad del Saber, Clayton (Corregimiento Ancón)
     Panamá
     Republica De Panamá

I'm not positive about phone or internet access yet, but I'll be in a decently sized city, so I should have at least occasional access, and might get a cell phone when I get there. As for my permanent site, about halfway through training I'll find out where that will be. While this is somewhat difficult for packing purposes, PC does it this way so that the in-country staff can get to know us and place us where they think we will fit best.

So... 11 days to go. Till then, I'm trying to see everyone here in Charlotte once or twice more, and figure out packing! I'm getting super excited though - with some nerves mixed in. But since connecting with my group on Facebook, it's been a comfort starting to get to know people in my group. Yay Group 70!

P.S. I got a Nook for Christmas and would love any book recommendations before I head out!

Details, Friends, and BusyBusyBusy

So the days are quickly flying by now.... tomorrow marks one month until I get on a plane to head to Miami, then one day later to Panama. I am getting so excited. But simultaneously trying to hold on to things here, like I always do. But I've been too caught up in everything going on day-to-day that I haven't had much time to sit and mull things over. But let's start with first things first.

Details.

I have gotten several emails from different parts of PC recently with more details and forms to fill out (surprise surprise). But these are better kinds of forms - they're much more real and I can see how they are going to directly translate into my experience in Panama. They've included language assessments, host family questions, KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes - who knew something I learned in my core HOD classes would pop up here...), and our first PCT (PC Trainee) interview. That email was quickly followed by another email from the media relations people asking for me to give the ok to use my name in press releases.

Lastly, and most recently, I got the Staging email! With this came the hotel where I will be staying in Miami, directions on how to book my flight, specifics on luggage requirements, and other miscellaneous reporting instructions. This is starting to feel all too real, which brings on a flood of emotions.

Second topic: Friends.

Two WONDERFUL friends came to visit me last weekend. My big and my little in my sorority drove 14 hours (roundtrip) to see me for 20. Don't I have great friends? It made me so happy and feel so loved. They are amazing people and I am so glad I got to show them my hometown!

Third topic: BusyBusyBusy

Typical. Still working full-time, and this week was crazy busy and a bit stressful. But next Friday (a week from today) is my last day. It has been a wonderful job - I enjoy the people I work with, appreciate the cause, and have learned a ton - I will be sad to go, but I will certainly enjoy the extra time after I'm not working 40 hours a week. Though I think my relaxing time will be short-lived. The day after I stop working, I take the GMAT - so this week will be full to the max with studying for that. Then that afternoon two of my other best friends from college - my roommate of 4 years and our other roommate from senior year - are coming to visit for 5 days! I have been counting down the days to see them, and I cannot wait to laugh and be silly and just chill with them. But then it's basically Christmas, with people to see and things to do (oh yea.... and I have to find a time to get gifts somewhere in there...). Then AH it's almost January! Yikes!

So I've seriously starting thinking about packing - thanks to everyone who has given me input - shout-out to Karen here for all of your comments on my last post :) Still haven't made some of my decisions, but I'm getting closer. I'm 99% sure I'm getting a hiking backpack - I just haven't decided what size and which one. The teva/chaco jury is still out, as is the nook/kindle (though I will DEFINITELY be taking one of these).

Just trying to keep my feet under me. Though that seems to be the norm in my life. If that's not the case, I tend to get bored. What do I do to myself?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I get one more fun frisbee tourney in - Holiday Hat Tournament :) Should be fun. Plus decorating the house with the parents. Always a good/holiday cheer-y time of year.

I leave you with two things today:
Photos worth the time. 

and

Soldiers and Mariah. - Kinda gets you in the happy, holiday mood!