Sorry for My Absence

So, I am sorry to anyone and everyone who reads my blog--- I am sorry I have not written in like a month. I don't really have a good excuse why, as I am not exactly sure of the reason why myself...

Part of it is probably that I have started and been busy with my new nanny job....which is going great by the way. I guess the mere fact that I am now working all day- every day again, means that I am no longer sitting at my computer obsessing over Peace Corps blogs and such all day. And there have actually been some evenings where I get home and do not even turn my computer on!

I think the other thing about working again is that I feel like I'm kind of switched back into normal everyday life again, and somewhat switched out of that "oh my gosh, I'm going to Africa soon" phase. It's not that I am not excited about Zambia or anything, it's just that I was already waiting and getting so close to leaving, and now I still have more waiting to do....I'm just tired of thinking about it is all.

Probably every other day I get asked "So, have you heard anything new/more about your Peace Corps thing?" and I respond "No!" while having to hold back my attitude and frustration.....What new would I have heard?!?!?! There is nothing new....there is nothing more... I am going to Zambia, January 31st...... and that's that.....there is nothing to do but wait.

I don't want people to misunderstand and think I am not excited or that I am rethinking PC or anything. I just feel like I've already gone through all of the excitement and obsession with the first departure....and at this point I just don't really feel like thinking about it as much anymore. It's too much effort. I'd rather just keep on going with daily life for the next couple months.... and I will allow myself to get excited and put in the effort again once I have the plane tickets in my hand...

New Biking Plan

As my new nanny job is about to start, and will be taking up all daylight hours of my days for the next few months, I was troubled with the dilemma of how I would fit my bike riding in. Well, I decided to research stationary exercise bikes, and was surprised at how cheap you can get them. So, after looking at a few and reading reviews, I just ordered myself an exercise bike.... so I will be able to sit in front of the TV and bike in the evenings. I'm excited!

New Job!

I got the nanny job I interviewed for the other night! Yay! It will be +/- 40 hrs/wk and will be during November, December, and January :-) I will be taking care of one little baby boy...almost 3 months old. I'm excited :-)

P.S. I haven't gone on a bike ride in a couple days....I'm already failing lol.....

Bike Riding

So....in Zambia it is possible that on any given day I may have to ride a bicycle up to 40km (24miles) to visit a school, volunteer, main road, etc. In order to prepare, PC suggests you get very comfortable with biking beforehand.

I started my bike training yesterday... I rode an 8 mile loop at a medium pace (I figured I shouldn't race b/c I most likely won't be able to go very fast on the dirt paths in Zambia). It ended up taking me 50 minutes. So, at that pace (8 miles/50 minutes)....it would take me about 2 hr. 30 min. to ride 24 miles!

So, today I biked the 8 mile loop again, but tried to speed it up a little bit...I finished in 44 minutes. So, 8 miles/44 minutes.....that would be about 2 hr. 15 min. to do 24 miles. Making progress, but that's still quite a long ride....

I figure I will just keep doing the 8 miles for a while till I get good and fast at it, and then I will gradually increase the distance and such until I make it up to that goal of 24 miles!

In other news, I interviewed for a babysitting/nanny job last night. Hoping that it went well so that I have a job for the next few months :-)

Also, I've been working on making my Halloween costume... Xena Warrior Princess!

P.S. I would have been leaving (to Lesotho) in 5 days! Crazy!

New Invite to.... ZAMBIA