Here We Go

Ok, here is it: blog post number one!

My flight to Guatemala leaves waaaay early on Saturday morning, so I'm basically down to the last 36 hours now. It's crazy. I'm just about ready...except I haven't packed at all. Whoops. I've just been too busy. In the past 2.5 weeks, I have: parted ways with Birmingham and the SPC gang after an awesome Dodiyós dinner (yum!), visited Hannah in super-snowy but super-cute Madison, WI, caught up with friends here in Louisville, attended an epic get-together at Timmy and Greg's place, and baked a mean spanakopita with Emily. Phew. Everything I need to pack is more or less sprawled across the floor of my room at the moment though, so that's a good start -- right?

As a recap, here are the facts: I'm moving to Guatemala for 13 months. I'm working as the Home Correspondent for an international NGO called Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (or NPH). NPH runs orphanages in 9 countries in Central and South America, and I'll be living at the Guatemala home's site. My job means writing articles, taking photos, updating the website, and working on any other publications/communications projects that are needed for either the home or the U.S. and/or European fundraising offices. I'm excited.

The country of Guatemala is supposed to be incredible, and according to my Lonely Planet guidebook (wouldn't leave home without one, duh), "Guatemala is one of those rare destinations that rewards even the most jaded world travelers with revelatory experiences -- a place where indigenous life perseveres much as it did when the Europeans first showed up, and where there are still pockets unsullied by the 'been there, done that' crowd." I like what I'm hearing.

Oh, and did I mention that the wonderful Miss Samantha Fien-Helfman is coming along for the year too? You know her. You love her. You're jealous we get to hang out. :)

Alright, I have no idea how often I'll have internet access in order to update this little blog, but I'll do my best to keep the posts coming. If you're reading this, I miss you, so make sure you let me know what you're up to! See you in 2011!