two weeks and counting

It is getting closer.  This week I've been stocking up on stuff for Africa: 

Bryttin had the brilliant idea of going to BigLots where they have lots of inexpensive individually wrapped food.  (The best deal of the day?  Luna bars for 70 cents).  Even after filling up an entire cart, mom reminded me that I'll be gone for almost 3 months, and it probably wouldn't be enough.  Anyone up for a trip to Costco?

I also bought some shirts (The DownEast Warehouse is fantastic... the shirts were another great steal!  I'm learning from the best-- aka Brytt).  At our last meeting, they said that shirts with a little spandex would take shape better than a regular cotton shirt.  They said that when you wash your clothes for the first few times, your knuckles bleed from scrubbing so hard.  Oh, yes.  

The packing process has yet to begin, but I borrowed Bret's big suitcases from the mission.  I'm allowed two 50-pound suitcases, plus a carry on/"personal item."  (When I went to England, I had to have a HEAVY tag... none of that this time!)  I'll have to keep that in mind as I start packing within the next couple of weeks.  

Second round of immunizations on Saturday....

got me in the arm

Today I went down to the county health departmet and had a consultation with the nurse.  She told me about all of the health risks of going to Ghana, and gave me all sorts of reccomendations and precautions.  These include: 

• do not swim in fresh water (there are parasites)
• do not go near small mammals (rabies)
• drink ONLY bottled or purified water (NO ice allowed)
• take "insect precautions" (lots of diseases come from mosquitoes)
• wear sunscreen

And then I got 3 shots in the arm: 

Surely it will be worth it! (Only 42 more days).