Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

This was a picture I took the night before the snow storm hit. They say the moon gets this ring around it from the reflection off ice crystals in the atmosphere. This picture almost doesnt do it justice, as it was simply amazing looking.

Tipper loves the snow

Notice the Christmas lights are still up, its been to cold to take them down. So i decided they are going to stay up til i get back from Grenada.

Eskimo Joe

So we got a snow day today (thank you Webb City High School), and I found it was perfect timing. I have been thinking about all the things i need to start getting together, and maybe actually start putting in a suitcase. But since I have gotten into the routine of falling asleep on the couch at 7pm, life hasnt given me much time to actually attempt at packing. So thanks to all for doing the snow angel dance and giving me a snow day!

Thought this was fitting...

The Countdown Continues...

The weekends left in America are coming to a quick halt, and with each passing day I'm realizing how much I'm going to miss my friends and family. I'm trying to cram every activity I can into these last weekends and having so much fun doing it. Its weird to look at acquaintances out and about and think "this might be the last time i see you for a while," but it also leaves an excited feeling inside me.

This last weekend I had my two best friends birthday parties on the same day. We went to the Piano bar in Springfield and had a blast. But i think the entire time we were there we made sure to soak in the moment, knowing this would be the last bday celebration together for 2 years. I'm going to miss you Ash and Tress, but don't forget to toast a drink to me next year on your birthdays.

I'm beginning to gather items up for my departure and its leaving me feeling a multitude of emotions: sad, anxious, excited, nervous and impatient. I've never really been a big planner, more of a spontaneous kind of person, and now I'm having to think of all the things I'm going to need for the next two years. That's HARD! haha. Never thought in my life i would be buying the 80 pack of tampons. haha.

So as i continue my countdown (20 days) I'm determined to enjoy all the things i love about my life here: from green bean casserole to bar hopping nights out, lounging on the couch, eating cheez-its, playing with my dogs, arguing about irrelevant things with my mother, laughing til my stomach hurts, basketball games, Sunday night football, my blackberry, driving my Tahoe, taking pictures and fast food.

I hope all of you reading this will get the chance to attend my going away party, its going to be a blast, Mom seems to have some things up her sleeve.

Always serving,

Mackenzie

Haiti

My thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Haiti today. Although I am not part of the Caribbean family quite yet, I do feel this disaster has hit me particularly hard. I'm going to be traveling to that part of the region in just 27 short days, and I cant even imagine something like that happening while I'm there. I pray it never does. Thankfully we don't have any Peace Corps volunteers in Haiti anymore, but I pray for the volunteers of neighboring Dominican Republic.

I've had a really hard time sleeping this week since booking my flight to Florida, St. Lucia and then Grenada. I am constantly making lists in my head of the things I need to do, pack and accomplish by the time I leave. I've wrote all this down, but the thoughts never seem to escape my brain. Maybe its the fact that for the first time in my life I'm having to wait on something that is not in my power. I'm used to being able to get what I want right then, and I cant. My trust and future is in the hands of our government (that sounds scary). I have never doubted my decision to serve our world, but I really need some damn sleep!


Always serving,

Mackenzie

FIRST POST!!!!!

So this is my first attempt at being a blogger, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to let ya'll follow me while I'm on my journey to save the world. Hopefully this will be a great chance for me to stay in touch with my Americans and a great insight for you.

This journey has been nothing short of incredible. I've been through a whirlwind of emotions from ecstatic to disappointed and even a bit frustrated (i know that's hard to believe). I started this process almost a year ago from today, and now that I'm down to the final countdown I can feel a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. Not only because I have worked my ass off to get through all the medical, dental and legal loopholes, but also because I can feel my dreams coming true. I can picture myself living independently in a third world country; waking up every day so excited about the adventure and challenge, and laying my head down at night knowing I'm making my family and friends back home proud. I refuse to let anyone down, and this is my promise to all of you that I will try my hardest to make a difference (especially since your tax dollars are paying my way ha ha).

For all of you who haven't gotten the chance to talk to me about my journey I will give you a little run down of the types of things I will be experiencing:

I'm going on a Community Development trip as a Youth Developer. I will be working with youth in impoverished areas of Grenada, such things as after school programs, swim lessons, school work, sports education, HIV/AIDS awareness and proper hygiene. I will be living with a host family the first three months of service to ensure I can properly transition to their culture. After the first three months I will be living in a Peace Corps issued apartment close to my work site. Ive been told most people have Internet, but more importantly I was promised running water and electricity!

So as I count down the days to departure, I would like to thank every one of you for inspiring me to better serve the world. I will be attaching an invitation to my going away party, and take this as your formal invitation (that is if you haven't already received one).

Always serving,

Mackenzie