Staging

is Peace Corps lingo for Orientation where I meet everyone and basically learn an overview of what's to come (and what's expected of me). I'm writing to you from my hotel room in Washington DC, a place with lots of historical statues, roundabouts, and colonial architecture. I don't know how many statues of men on horses I've seen but it's about the same as the number of fro-yo places in CA, a lot! To my Mom, don't worry I'm fine, I'm even making jokes ;)

Today was Day 1 of Staging and it's been fun making new friends and getting excited with everyone else. I guess there's no better person to relate with than someone who is going WITH you. My roommate, Maria, and I connected pretty quick, then met Elyse at our Staging table. After a long day of Staging, we all decided to have our last dinner be Mexican! It was amazing of course! We don't think there's Mexican food in Ukraine so we'll have to show them our ways... haha

Elyse & Maria

Tomorrow is Day 2 of Staging and then me and 106 other trainees will fly off to Ukraine! The first three months in Ukraine, we'll be divided into clusters of 5 or 6 with each of us living with our own host family. Host families can range from an elder living by themselves to a family with kids and pets. I'll update you next time I have internet, we'll see... wish me luck!