Don't Worry. Be HAPPY!

Ok so basically I am thrilled to have a BLOG SITE!!!!! This is by all means my main way of keeping in touch from here on ...well over the next 2.5 years :o).  In just 12 days I will be headed out into an ADVENTURE unlike any other, to my knowledge, I have experienced in my life. And here I go again procrastinating to put up this blog. But I think my procrastination works in perfect time usually LOL.  ANYHOOOOooo....

       I will soon be a Peace Corps "trainee" soon to be a Peace Corps VOLUNTEER in Burkina Faso WEST AFRICA! I am more than excited. Usually giddy beyond comprehension with a visually cool, calm and collected sense of swag is what you will see when you look at me. Don't get me wrong Im not calling myself "SWAGGALIFIC" just pointing out that when you see me although you do not see the confetti bursting from my ears on the outside, I assure you there's a full on Diddy party happening, with Cristal and Ciroc spilling over fancy glassware! I will be a volunteer in the GEE sector (GEE = Girls Empowerment and Education). Being a girl scout for 16 years ...well lets just say I think it may help!

    If  you are anything like myself when I first started this ADVENTURE you may have only heard the name Burkina Faso in your life one or two times so let me share with you a few things about this wonderful country!

   BURKINA FASO is a landlocked country bordered by 6 other countries including Niger , Ghana , Cote d’Ivoire , Benin , Togo and Mali . The people of Burkina are called Burkinabe’ (pronounced Ber-kee-Nuh-BAY). It’s a francophone country meaning the language is French, but the majority of the people do not speak French that live here. Burkina Faso ’s government is an Independent Republic and their current president is Blaise Campaore. What struck something dear to my heart was the literacy rate of women in this country which isn’t even 10%. That was indeed a startling fact for me and something I want to be a part of increasing. This is partially due to the very conservative country that is there. The men go to school and work while the women stay home and have, and care for the children. There are 2 seasons in Burkina one being dry and hot the other being rainy and humid and hot (haha). (One of my friends who just returned from there like 4 months ago said it sometimes gets so hot that you can just be sitting down and when you get up there’s a puddle under you! INTENSE). The life expectancy of the Burkinabe is not even 50 years of age and over 50% of the population is under 15 years old. Many of the people are plagued with issues due to water born illness and malaria and the 2% HIV and Aids population that is growing. Burkina Faso is among the 10 poorest countries in the WORLD, but very RICH in spirit. “ Burkina Faso ” translated means “Land of the Upright people” and I am quite anxious to meet and greet and live among the Burkinabe.

I’m not on a mission to save the world… let me make that very clear haha! I am going based on a few things in my life. ONE of my life goals is to be a Traveling Journalist. I have always wanted to go to MANY countries and do more than visit! I want to live among the people, eat what they eat, know their experiences and share this understanding with as many people as I can whether it be by word or mouth or written articles. I also want to Travel Travel Travel as much as I can! I don’t believe (at least for me) one can have a real appreciation for their own blessing of life until they know some of the struggles of others. And even more than knowing, do something to change that for the better. Learning is also my goal in doing this. I know I am going to help the girls of Burkina but I intend on absorbing so many things from them. I want it to be a give and receive type of situation. And lastly (perhaps this should have been first) I am going to Burkina Faso because I am supposed to be there. I have never had so much clarity in my life! Its EXCITING! God really wants me in this place at this time. I started on this project a year ago and its just AMAZING all the experiences God has bought into my life leading me to Burkina since then. I know I am supposed to be there so much its unnerving at times. Unnerving but welcomed. I truly believe in the power of prayer and I have prayed and continue to pray about all of this and I pray that you pray for me too! And yea I do just really like helping people too.

I don’t believe everything in our lives as people will be clear but something are inevitable. I feel like even if not with the Peace Corps I would be in Burkina Faso somehow in June. But I’m glad to do it under this organization. PLEASE I encourage you to visit the Website at www.PeaceCorps.gov and to also google Burkina Faso !

Now TRUST ME…There will be times when I am miserable, just ABSOLUTELY miserable and may write you all saying things like that. I may even get there and feel like what in the world did I do this for?! But there will also be moments (and hopefully weeks) of pure happiness and understanding of why I am supposed to be there. I think both are completely natural. ESPECIALLY since I do not speak French well or a tribal dialect! But in time I will! Like a pro!

SO I hope this helps to clarify what's going on in my life right now. Oh and I will already ask in advance that you excuse the spelling/grammatical errors. there will be plenty! Especially since I am writing in the moment...(and am not a fan of proofreading LOL).Thats all for now!

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

You only live once so Don't Worry! Be and completely live so that your are happy! 

(Thanks MOM)