2 Weeks Out

Manahoana family and friends!

It seems to be a staple of just about every Peace Corps volunteer to create a blog to let the western world (or maybe just a few close family members) know what their 27 months of service is like. For those of you who don't already know, I leave for my adventure in Madagascar in two weeks. I doubt any of my entries will top the comedy of a Zebra who sounds like Chris Rock, but I will do my best to entertain while explaining life in Madagascar.

I don't have too much to report, but here is a quick update on where I am in the pre-departure process. Right now, I am collecting all the essentials for the next two years. Next week, I'll start packing and then I leave for Philadelphia on July 9th. In Philly, I will meet the 25 other volunteers headed for Madagascar. We will get a quick orientation regarding our first few days in country along with a few more vaccinations. That same night we take a bus to New York to board a flight for South Africa and then Madagascar.

Very excited for the 9th, but in the meantime I'm going to enjoy the last few weeks I have with my family. Here are a few things I will miss out on in the next two years....

• Jared's graduation (I missed Matt's, too. I'm just a shitty brother)
• Watching/Playing Hockey (Welcome to Detroit, Zach Parise)
• The Winter Classic at the Big House
• HBO's 24/7 leading up to the Winter Classic
• New Years with the entire family.
• Toilets
• The Dark Knight Rises in theaters
• Miami dismantling Notre Dame at Soldier Field
• Tailgating at Soldier Field with my Hurricane family
• Fantasy Football
• Peiser's Wedding (Congratulations, buddy)

That's all for now. My next post will likely be from the other side of the world.