Technicalities

I found WorldTeach online just before midnight on June 20th, emailed the program director immediately, and started the application process the next day. Three essays, two recommendations, copies of my diplomas (did not have access to the BS, just the MA), official transcripts, an interview and a few other things later- one week later actually- I was invited to join.

Since then I have been taking care of various program necessities like an HIV test (negative), police clearance and doctor's visit, but other than that I SHOP. 9 thrift stores, 5 Walgreens, 1 Target, Amazon.com, Otterbox.com, Office Depot, Mervyns, etc etc. I bought eight pairs of underwear at once, a new camera (I needed one that takes AAs), bottles and bottles of spf50 sunscreen, a solar kit to recharge batteries and my ipod, cold meds, bed sheets, fishing lures, antibiotic cream, tiny portable speakers, flip flops, gifts for my host family, towels, calcium supplements, and much more. Sometimes shopping is fun, but trying to find exactly what you need in a set amount of time is frustrating and difficult. I'm still in need of snorkel gear, but I wear glasses so an off-the-shelf set is out of the question...

Some of what I need I have in storage in Texas, while I am now in San Francisco, so I am buying a lot. The task of preparing and packing is monumental when compared to the 13lbs of luggage I started with for my time in Asia. Nevertheless, none of this will matter much longer and I will be wondering if the tide is low enough to skip on over to the next islet for a coconut.

Updates tomorrow on the wildly successful Dropcash campaign when the final donations clear!