1. WOW

So, two nights ago, I was sitting at my laptop studying Stats- (yes, I'm a Drama in Ed major; just taking stats for grad school)- when the phone rings. The past two weeks, since my interview in Windsor for the seminar, I have been answering the phone prepared to be interviewed by national office. Friends even commented and laughed at my fake voice when I'd pick up (that's life without caller id). So anyway, get to the point, I pick up, totally unprepared and immersed in the boring formulas of Quantitative Methods, when I hear "Hi, this Emily from WUSC National Office in Ottawa" as she goes on to spell out what WUSC stands for (World University Service Canada), I immediately think 1 of 2 things are going to happen: 1. She will schedule a date for my phone interview, or 2. She will interview me on the spot, right that moment...think Robin, get it together

When I hear: I'm calling about your candidacy for the International Seminar in Ghana... you've been accepted.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GODDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I AM GOING TO GHANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

All this going on in my head, I hope.. not exactly sure what I said but my enthusiasm/energy/shock/happiness and gratefulness were clear!!!

So now it's been two days, and I had my stats exam tonight (it wasn't too bad I must say, considering the fact that my mind has been immersed in Ghana-thoughts).

Has it started to sink in?
NOT AT ALL
Well, of course a bit. The initial giddy excitement has SLIGHTLY mellowed to let in thoughts of this reality.

I will actually be in Ghana in six months time.

Do you know how fast time flies? This first semester of my 4th year has FLOWN by.. unbelievable.

In six weeks I will be heading to Ottawa for training and preparation with the 19 other Canadians participants, and then my butt will be on a plane to GHANA

TO AFRICA

My body will be on African soil, and I will live, work, eat and sleep under the African sky.

It really has not sunk in yet for me.

I just live with a general feeling of happiness and excitement. Every time I check my email or facebook I have another message from a friend or acquaintance about the seminar- (I put it in my status; I should have expected this). It's amazing to feel all the support, love, and congratulations from people I care about.
It's amazing to talk to Crystal who did this seminar last year in Burkina Faso...
and to know that now it will be my turn. Now, after all these years of dreaming and thinking and questioning, I will be overseas, immersed in a culture that is alien to me as a Canadian, having the experience that will change my life more significantly and drastically than any other experience in my 21 years thus far.

Wow.....




These entries will hopefully be a lot more organized, informative, interesting, as I practice and gain some experience with this whole blogging thing (this is my first blog, in case you didn't already notice).

Right now my hyper-excitement/confusion/shock/disbelief create a messy lens through which I write tonight. As pathetic and random as this is, I'm excited about this blog, and more than anything else

I'm excited to start my Journey to Ghana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!