About Me

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To make a long story as short as I can, I applied to the Peace Corps my senior year at UCLA March 2008. I was nominated to go to Africa doing HIV/AIDS education for March 2009. I moved in with my parents and lived in Sun Valley, ID and Hawaii (I know, tough life.) While I waited, I worked as a waitress and spent lots of time with my parents. We became the "Trio." March 2009 came and went, and I began getting in patient with the Peace Corps, and decided it was time to move on from my dreams of being a Peace Corps Volunteer. I moved to San Francisco to be with all my college friends and started working as a Sales Rep at Pacific Office Automation. At POA is where I met my good friend Aricca (ULLL!!) I had moved on from the Peace Corps and liked my job and loved living in the city. As luck would have it, Peace Corps contacted me in December 2009 and offered me and invitation to Rwanda for HIV AIDS education and Youth Development leaving at the end of February. Without seeing where I was going to land, I jumped in with both feet and accepted!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Holy crap, this is actually happening!

Hello everyone!  So I have no idea if I will have access to internet or electricity, but I am starting this blog in hopes I that I will be able to keep everyone in the loop as to what I have been up to in Africa!  This whole process of joining the Peace Corps has been a very long and drawn out process (see my "about me" section) but alas, it has finally come!

To start, my title, "Peace Corps Rapport" was inspired by my job at Pacific Office Automation.  My boss frequently stressed the importance of building "rapport" with clients, and I have to say, for the first week or so, I did not know what this word meant, or why it was so important.  I know know that building rapport means to keep in touch with someone and build a relationship.  So, Peace Corps Rapport was perfect! (could also be associated with the Colbert Report)

These last few weeks have been super hectic.  Finding a sub-letter for my apartment (thanks Nat!), getting all my clothes put away in storage (thanks Judy!) and driving my car and all some of my furniture down to Southern California where my belongings will stay in my Grandparents garage (thanks grandma and grumps!)  I am now currently in Sun Valley with my parents and my older brother Kevin after enjoying the sun in Puerto Vallarta with the Watson family! (What a trip Watson's!) 

My last day in the states was today.  It was a beautiful day up on Baldey mountain.  My parents and I skied all day, and took a break at the top of Seattle Ridge for a prime rib flatbread sandwich, my fav!  I am mostly all packed up, and am just waiting for my flight tomorrow afternoon.  

I will fly to Philadelphia for two days for staging, then to New York, to Brussels, and finally to Kigali, Rwanda.  I am so excited for this experience to start.  I am feeling a little bit anxious leaving everyone, but I will be back in a blur, with this amazing experience under my belt.  It is hard not to get sentimental when leaving, but I just keep remembering that what I am giving up here is going to pale in comparison to what I am about to gain.  I have NO expectations of what this experience is going to hold, but I can assure you its going to have its ups and downs, and I will be sure to blog about all of them! So stay tuned! I love you all, and thanks for your support! xoxoxo
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5 comments:

  1. GeorgiaFebruary 21, 2010 at 8:59 PM

    Allie, I love your blog so far...can't wait to hear more of the adventures of Allie...what a ride you will have...you are always in my thoughts. xox Georgia

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2010 at 10:01 PM

    Let me know if you need me to send the blow dryer!

    Be safe, be smart and return to us. I'm very proud of you!

    J

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2010 at 8:00 AM

    You go girl!

    Bonne chance dans votre nouvelle aventure

    Uncle Tim

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  4. AriccaFebruary 22, 2010 at 9:37 AM

    You are the cutest person in the world!!! I already LOVE LOVE your blog and I am sooooo exxxxcited to follow you (awwwwkward!!) Although I will not have you to share all my HP moments with, I wish you the BEST of luck!!! Africa will NEVER be the same!!!! I miss you already... and you better believe I am super serious about visiting!! UULLLLLL!!!!

    LOVE YOU!!!!

    xoxoxoxox
    -Aricca

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  5. UnknownMarch 10, 2010 at 6:38 PM

    My dear and wonderful niece,

    Grandma gave me your blog address today -- (GO MOM! She's becoming a techie, she forwarded your emails to me! :-) and now I am IN TOUCH with you. Whoo hoo!!

    I've just finished reading your wonderful blog with a huge smile on my face (that's our Allie, SO funny!) and pride in my heart (that's our Allie, such a sweet person!) I am so happy to read of your adventures, thus far. You are a wonderful writer, and I'm really enjoying your stories. Keep it up, sweetie.

    I'll email you in a minute, so you have my email address, too. Write me if the mood strikes you... and meanwhile, know that your Aunt Missy is reading your every word, watching for hints on items wanted/needed to put in a care package to send to Rawanda for my beloved Allie.

    I love my nieces to pieces!!!
    -Aunt Missy

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