Fundraising Fun!

Of course, I've starting to raise the money for Kenya. If you all look to the links on your right, you will notice a link to PayPal. Please feel no obligation to donate, but if you wish, I do have an account. My email address for this is sanctamaria17@gmail.com. I am hoping to raise $10, 500 by the end of August and am turning in my $500 deposit by the end of this week.

In addition to this, to writing letters, and to scholarship applications, I decided another fundraiser: The Paella Night!!!

For those who don't know, a paella is a Spanish rice dish, named for the pan it was made in (derived from a Catalan word meaning "receptacle"). The rice itself is cooked in a large shallow metal pan and features rich, smoky flavors from ingredients such as saffron and paprika. Paellas come in a variety, featuring a range of ingredients. Some tend to be gamy, with rabbits and snails, others have seafood and meat, some even have squid ink. Mine was a vegetarian paella, in keeping with the Lenten season.

I invited a bunch of friends over and charged $10 a plate. Sadly, some couldn't make it but others said they'd give support anyway. Even so, it was a wonderful evening, filled with camaraderie, laughter, and delicious food!

Time for pictures!
One Cup of Olive Oil :)



Donations!


The ladies!

The peppers look like Togo's flag.....

PAELLA!!!!!

I'm In-Now What?

A week ago, I announced my acceptance to the Nairobi program. For that week, I could not even speak.

It's real. So very real. I'm going. If I can get the money, I'm going.

I'm GOING!!!!!!!!!!!

The Answer is..........

Yes.

I don't know what to say other than that.

Waiting.......

Just finished my scholarship application. The most annoying part of the process is the waiting. Waiting to hear the news. Waiting to have the money for my deposit. Waiting to find out where my life is going.

I know it's one step along the way and that it increases my excitement. At the same time, I want to know. Yes or no?

The forms are done......Everything's in.....

As of 10:15 AM today, my abroad application was completed. I finally got my passport pictures taken and my recommendation was turned in. Now, I just have to wait.

I know I'll most likely get in. I don't say this out of conceit, rather, that's how the programming works through our school. As long as your GPA is above a C, you don't have disciplinary records or anything that would keep you from traveling, you're in. Still, it won't feel real to me until they ask for my $500 deposit.

I don't know what I'm feeling right now. I'm sick, so any excitement is diluted by my current state of foggy brain. I also have my midterm exams this week, so I've been a bit preoccupied.

Still, I'm in shock. I'm both amazed and thankful that I can have opportunities like this. I'm thankful that I can and that so many people are willing to support me in this endeavor. I'm humbled by the fact that people believe in me so much. I'm excited that I can do this.

At the same time, I'm nervous. I'm nervous about going away for four months. I'm nervous about the poverty I know I'll see. At the same time, I'm nervous about my reaction. I want to serve in whatever capacity opens for me, but I don't want to come across as a condescending know-it-all, simply because I'm a white, Western Christian who was born into considerable privilege and has the good fortune of post-secondary education, cash, and fairly reliable democracy.

Another obstacle is out of my way. Stay tuned.......