About two weeks left...

I cannot believe I am finishing up a year here. Some days it has felt like I've lived another life out here and that each day was a year in itself; but, as it gets closer and closer to the day I leave, the days feel shorter and shorter. Currently, I am working with the new FORGE Project Manager to teach her all about FORGE and how life is in Mwange. It's fun to look back on everything and to synthesize all the knowledge I've gained over the past year about everything from how to take a bucket bath to how to work best with UN officials.

The biggest question I keep getting is: What's next?? While I've been out here, I have done a ton of work in health and with the Red Cross. Because of the many experiences I've had in Mwange and in my Zambian village and because of the many horrible medical cases I've seen (as well as the many medical miracles), I now know for sure that I am meant to be a doctor. I have decided to finish up my pre-medical requirements at Mills College in Oakland, starting in Fall 2009. Until then, I'll be taking a few classes and hopefully working in either a hospital or medical research lab. There's a lot of school in my future, but I'm really excited to be so sure of what I want to do.

While this has been an incredible year, I miss my friends and family SO much. I am extremely excited to get back to the comforts of a developed country and to be around people I know. I will miss the friends and places that have become my home this year, but it's time to get home. I arrive in the Bay area on 9 July and then I'll be in the Annapolis area from 17-27 July. I don't have a phone number yet, but you can always email me. I can't wait to see you!

xoxo