Off we go...into the wild blue yonder...

Hello everyone! I wanted to post a quick little entry before I lose my internet access for a little while. I have been at training for a couple of days now, and I have to say most of all that it is overwhelming. There is so much information to process...I think my brain is on overload. Add into that all of the feelings I have about leaving home, friends, family, and my Mike...it's pretty difficult. I am excited and sad at the same time. It is a tough combination to deal with.

Anyway, on to more fun stuff. So, I have been in Phildelphia since Sunday for Trainee Orientation. This is where we meet all the other people that will be serving in our sector (mine being Small Enterprise Development), as well as meeting some Health sector trainees that are going over as well. It has been a lot of fun meeting so many people from ALL over, and everyone is so excited and we share such a common bond. We are all trekking off into this unknown land...and at least we have eachother. There is something very comforting in that.

Everyone knows that my favorite day is tomorrow. What is tomorrow you might ask? Well...VACCINATION DAY! WOO HOO! Um...NOOOOOOOOT! I have a the craziest fear of needles...so as long as I don't physically harm someone while they try to poke me I will be okay. Lord help me tomorrow...I am going to need it.

Anyway, back to my update. We leave tomorrow night to take a flight from New York City to Paris, and then we go from Paris to Ouagadougou (the capital of Burkina Faso). From there we are going to be transported to a smaller city in Burkina for our PST (Pre-Service Training). Upon arrival in the smaller city we will go through an adoption ceremony, where we are officially adopted into a local Burkinabe' family. We will live in their village with them for the 3 months of training. That is where we will be bombarded with tons of language, health, and technical training....OH MY! It should be a pretty intense few months. I am sure I am going to wish my francais skills were much better.

For those that are concerned about communication, I will have VERY limited access to internet and phone. Text messaging me is probably the best option for now...once I get settled in my adopted families house (which is supposed to happen on Oct. 1st or so), then I will work out the internet. I want to get to my village and get a "lay of the land." Then I can figure out what internet cafe to go to, etc. So...you may not hear from me for a while.

Anyway, things are really good so far...it is exciting, daunting, nerve-wracking, challenging, and all around wonderful. I just want to thank EVERYONE for their calls, their emails, and their messages. I am going to do my best to get in touch with everyone personally...but it is a lot to deal with...so it may take some time. Thanks to EVERYONE for their thoughts, their prayers, their well wishes and more. I can not tell you how much I appreciate it! My address is posted on the site...so if you are ever bored, pop a letter in the mail. I plan on writing to everyone at some point...so don't be shy.

Thanks for everything, I love you all, and "Ag Jamm!"

Battered, bruised, excited, sad, nervous...and on and on...

Well, my brother and I finished the Coosa River Challenge. I have to say that it was a lot harder than I had expected! The mountain biking portion was rocky--and that is putting it mildly. I made good friends with a tree and hopefully haven't broken a rib...although I don't have medical insurance to even find out...hah! I am sure the pain will go away eventually. Besides that it went pretty well! It took us about 5 1/2 hours, and we did everything from trail running, mountain biking (or in my case--crashing), canoeing (or in our case--tipping), mud pit crawling, bow and arrow shooting, 15-foot cliff jumping and much more. We don't really have any pictures during most of the race, but here are a couple that Lindsay (my brother's wife) got of us:


Here is a pic of us rowing across the river--and yes, our canoe is backward--shush!!

Here is a pic of us FINALLY crossing the finish line!

Even though it wasn't always fun, we had a great time. Even better, Mike was there at the finish line to greet me! He came down for the weekend to hang out, and to come to my Birmingham going away party and more. Here is a cute pic of us after the race, while we were watching the Auburn v. LSU game (WAR EAGLE!)



There are more pics available on my brother's Flickr page which you can access through mine I believe...his username is SteelerDave.

My mom threw me a little going away party on Sunday, which was great. I got to see a lot of great people...so thanks to them for coming out. It is getting closer and closer, and as it approaches the more insurmountable the challenge seems. I finally finished ALMOST all of my packing...so that's good. As far as that 80 lbs. limit that I am supposed to have...I just have to say, HAH!

Well, I have had a wonderful time home. I got to babysit my nephew, hang out with my sis, relax, spend quality time with the 'rents...overall it's been great. I am sad to leave, but I know it isn't forever...

Anyway, this has been a bit of a long post. I guess I am feeling a bit more apprehensive and scared as it approaches. I leave for NYC on Wednesday and to Philly on Sunday for training. Let the games begin!

Parlez-Vous Francais?...Ummmm, not really!

So, the days are really ticking down now, and it seems like it is FLYING by. I don't think the idea that I have to say goodbye to my family for 2 years (or at least a year until I come visit) has sunk in yet. I started to picture what it would be like the night before I left and I had to push the idea of it from my mind. I have been having so much fun spending time with my mom, and with my little nephew Drew (picture below...isn't he adorable!).



It's hard to imagine that the next time I see him he will be 1 1/2 or 2 years old. I will have to send him pictures and gifts so that he remembers who is Auntie is, and knows who to come to when he wants to get spoiled!

All my preparations seems to be going pretty well. I have almost all that I need to finish packing. I have a few more doubles on my toiletries that I have to purchase...fun times. Mike is coming down this weekend to watch me run in the outdoor triathalon with my brother, and to come to a going away party on Sunday. It will be nice to have him here with me.

I have to admit that I am getting a bit nervous about this whole French requirement. Yes, I fulfilled what the Peace Corps asked of me (to pass through Level 1 and Level 2 of college French). But, my speaking skills are less than stellar, and I am so scared that they are going to boot me or something because of it. I am trying to study on my own, but without speaking it to anyone or even hearing it, I am finding it pretty difficult. Anyone have any ideas?

C'est la vie I guess...A bientot.

Cruisin' Along...

**A picture of Mom and I with the captain of the boat and a pic of Mom and I in Costa Maya!!!**

Hello all (or the 2 people actually reading this--and that includes my mom)--

We just got back today from our WONDERFUL cruise to Mexico. We left from Mobile, AL and took a 5-day cruise! It was our last chance to spend some quality time together before I ship off to Africa for 2 years...and it was definitely time well spent.

As you can tell by the pictures, which you can access at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/srgottlieb/sets/72157594274025215/, we had ab absolute blast. We met some amazing people who made the trip so much more worthwhile and fun! We danced, drank, talked, tanned...everything that we had hoped!

I have 13 days and counting before I leave for NYC, and 17 days until I will be in orientation for the Peace Corps. It was a bit odd to be cruising around, and thinking about the decadence that is a cruise...and then comparing that to what I am about to encounter. I felt a little bad that I was enjoying such frivolities...but, at the same time I wanted to enjoy myself and be happy for the time I spent with my Mom.

Regardless of my sometimes sad thoughts I had an amazing time...thanks to my Momma and everyone that we met on the cruise for making it memorable!

Sweet Home Alabama

So, I have been home for 3 days now and I have to say that I am hot, and officially bored. I probably shouldn't complain about the heat considering what I am about to encounter in Africa though.

The 1/2 Marathon went wonderfully, and I am posting a picture of me crossing the finish line! WOO HOO! My eyes were closed, but what can I say...I was pretty tired at this point.

We drove to Alabama the next day and that was a tough feat as well. We drove straight through in one day...which is about 1000 miles. I was seeing colors by the time 10:30 rolled around. Thankfully, we got home safely and without incident...so I really can't complain.

I am preparing to leave on a 5-day cruise with my Mom to Mexico, and then I will be back to pack my stuff, and to prepare for the outdoor triathalon that my brother and I are doing together (www.coosariverchallenge.com)...I like to punish my body, hahaha!

The countdown continues!

Just Keep Running...

Today is the day...the day that I must say goodbye to New York City and move home to Alabama. What better way to say goodbye to my beloved city than to participate in the first ever New York City Half Marathon!

I have to say that I was a bit nervous going into this event. As some of you know, I ran the NYC Marathon last year and I had a blast. I was supposed to be running the Chicago Marathon, but I will already be in Burkina Faso, so this would have to do. The race laps around Central Park and then we run down 7th Avenue, through Times Square, and then down the West Side Highway to Battery Park/WTC. Even though I haven't been running for the past several weeks due to sickness, vacation, etc. I was surprised to run as well as I did. I finished it, and in a fairly decent time...which is good enough for me. Plus, it allowed me to say the grandest of goodbyes (even if it was pouring down rain).

Nothing's better than getting up at 5 a.m. and running with crazy people in the rain...sometimes I wonder what I'm thinking.

Anyway, less than a month to go before I leave for Burkina...and I wake up tomorrow at 5 am, hop in the car, and head to Bama. SO SAD...

FAQ's...

I have been asked an array of quesions lately, so I felt that it might help if I answered the most common ones in this posting (For those of you who don't know where Burkina is, sbove is a map).

Alright, here we go:

(1) What will you be doing there? - According to my assignment booklet I will be in the Small Enterprise Development Program and my title is "Small Business Advisor." Sounds official enough huh? They say my main duties will be:
(a) working with entrepeneurs and cooperatives to provide business training.
(b) help create market linkages (anyone wanna buy Shea Butter? It's their biggest export and it's great for the skin!!).
(c) Asssting the organization of Savings and Credit Clubs, Advise on and Facilitate product development, packaging, and promotion.
(d) Assist entrepeneurs to develop business plans, maintain financial records, conduct financial analyses, and make informed business management decisions.
(e) Work with other institutions to promote export of products

It seems complicated, but consider this. Most people there don't understand what a "profit" is. They may buy something for $50, and sell it for $25 and still not understand that they are operating at a loss. So, that is what my "vast" expertise is there to teach them.

(2) How long will you be there? - I am supposed to be there 27 months (3 months of training in the country, and then 2 years of service on site). But, they don't force you to stay, if you want to leave you can.

(3) Where will you live? - Although the Peace Corps keeps us mainly in the dark about this one, chances are that I will live in a rural area, in a mud hut or some other form of a house. Thanks to the Peace Corps though I get a cement floor, windows with screens on them, and a door! Compared to those living there I will be living in the lap of luxury! The Peace Corps quotes, "Animals might wander around your house and bats, mice, and cockroaches could likely live in your house. You will have no running water or electricity." -- aside from the running water and electricity how is living in NYC any different??? Well, maybe it's not that bad...

(4) Will you live with other volunteers? - This is definitely a question that has my mom worried. But, NO, I won't live with other volunteers in my village (chances are anyway). I will however in all likelihood live biking distance from someone. The Peace Corps issues us mountain bikes and that is how we are expected to get around.

(5) What is the weather/living conditions there? - Burkina is a Sahelian country with some forsests in the South, woodlands in the center, and desert in the North. The tropical climates has rainy (June-September) and dry (October-May) seasons . Temperatures range from 50 degrees F in the early dry season to 104 degrees just before the rainy season. Pretty much it's just DAMN HOT all the time... :-D Chances are I WILL NOT have electricity or constant access to internet...but I will have a cell phone that will work in the main areas.

(6) What language will you speak? - I will be learning at least 2 languages during training. The first is French, and the second will be a tribal language...most likely something called Fufulde or Moore'. Fun times!

(7) What will you eat? - The locals mostly eat maize or millet flour paste (yeah...I have no idea what that is), or locally produced rice with leaf sauces, local veggies (okra, eggplant, tomatoes, and meat (lamb, goat, or beef). Generally it is heavy on the carbs, light on the protein...YUMMY...

(8) Are you scared? Excited? - YES! I am scared as hell about this entire thing. But, I figure some of the most worthwhile things in life are scary...so all you can do is just jump right in. I may love or I may hate it...but I have to go to find out. I am a little worried about getting sick...not deathly ill or anything like that because the Peace Corps takes good care of us...more worried about little intestinal parasites taking up residence inside of me and making me eject my food from all places (sorry...I tried to make that as PC and clean as possible). So...here's to hoping I have a strong stomach. I will be on so many medications for malaria and every other disease that I am not too worried about that.

Anyway...I am a bit tired so I will stop here. The movers are coming in a moment to move stuff out of my apartment. If you have any more questions leave them in the comments section or email me and I will post them up here...

THANKS to anyone who is reading this, and I hope to see some people at my going away party this evening!

The Rockin' Road Trip of 2006...

Well, my ROCKIN' ROAD TRIP OF 2006 has just come to an end. I am back in New York City ready to face the week, and the impending move. Mike--my boyfriend--and I decided to take a week long road trip from Alabama up to New York City. That way I could have an SUV to haul all my junk back to Bama before I ship off. I have to say that it was one of the most fun trips that I have had. There are so many things to see and do that it's hard to even decide what to plan.

We ended up driving to Charleston, SC first. We spend 3 days there lounging on the beach, going to the waterparks, taking carriage rides, and hanging with my friends from college. Anyone who hasn't made it to Charleston should do so right away...it is quite possibly the best city in the US...my opinion only of course. We then headed to Asheville where we got a cabin. We went to this place called Sliding Rock, which is a natural waterslide and toured the Biltmore Estate (went mountain biking, did a wine tasting) as well. We headed off to Richmond to see Mike's brother, and then our last stop was Baltimore to visit my newly married friends and hit up an Orioles game. All in all, I didn't kill Mike and he didn't kill me...so I figure it was a successful last hurrah before we part ways for a while. I think I am in a bit of denial about my leaving...and it hasn't quite hit me what is going on.

Anyway, I sit here in my room with boxes everywhere, an inflatable mattress (I sold mine off today), and other junk and can't help but think about what lies ahead. Is this a huge mistake? Is this the best thing that I am ever going to do? Who knows...at this point--which I figure is a good thing--I am leaning more towards this being the best thing that I ever do. I feel that there is more out there...I am drawn to head off on this adventure because I am not quite ready to "settle down." Maybe it's impatience...who knows. I do know that either way I am going to learn so much from this experience!

Thanks to all those for their b'day wishes..and thanks SO MUCH for all the journals (I believe I have gotten 7 so far). I will definitely not be short on things to write in! Off to bed for me..."time keeps on tickin', tickin', tickin' into the future!"

This is my "last"...

It seems that I am doing a lot of "lasts" lately. I figure it goes with the territory since my entire life is about to change. It is heartbreaking yet exciting at the same time, and I can never decide which one I am...it mostly depends on the second that you ask me.

Today I ran my last marathon training practice, tomorrow I play my last flag football games with my "Olympic" crew, and I worked my last night slinging pasta at Pasta Presto. Every time I walk outside my apartment, down the street, stop off at my corner Starbucks, it dawns on me that this is the last time that I am going to be doing this...at least for a while. It is so funny...what seemed so common place takes on a whole new meaning for me, and I appreciate it just a bit more. It's a nice feeling actually, and forces me to realize that New York City became my home a lot more than I wanted to admit...

I definitely have to thank all of those who have supported me, given me advice, and MOST OF ALL listened to me talk and debate this whole Peace Corps experience...your ears and advice have been priceless for me.

Anyway...I'm just bored and thought I would throw a posting up on here. Stay tuned...

Still going...

Hello all--

I am recovering from a pretty nasty bout of the stomach flu. I guess God was testing me to see how I would handle being sick. It is a lot easier with a flush toilet and air-conditioning--luxuries I am sure I won't have when I am sick in Africa--but I am still on the mend.

Things are moving along. I am hoping to have a going away party/b'day party/fundraiser the week of August 21st.

As some of you know, I was supposed to run the Chicago Marathon with Team in Training this year. However, with my Sept. 25th leave date that is impossible. So, I am going to be running the NYC 1/2 Marathon instead. I am raising money for a WONDERFUL cause...the fight against Leukemia, lymphoma, and all other blood-borne cancers. Join me in making a contricution to this wonderful society! $1 or $50...it doesn't matter...you can donate online...it's that easy! Go to:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/stephgottlieb

Thanks so much and keep tuning in for more updates!

OH SH*T Is This for Real!

I am going to Burkina Faso...what? That's a country? Well, yes it is...and yes, I am going to live there! According to my literature I am going to be serving as a Small Business Advisor. That should be very interesting. I am also lucky enough to have parlayed myself a little volunteer work on the FESPACO (Pan-African Film Festival). It is one of the largest film festivals in Africa, and for those of you that know me you know that this festival is right up my alley. So, I hope to get very involved!

As the days tick on I can't help but hope that I made the right decision. I gave my notice at my current job today, and I have to say it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Even still, I am constantly questioning my decision. I left a pretty great job to go live in rural Africa...I can't help but question WHAT AM I DOING!?! Anyhoo, pardon my crazy ranting, this is just a big deal for me, and as the day approaches I get more and more nervous.

I need to continually calm myself down, and remind myself of why I am doing this, and what it is that I am going after.

The timeline as it stands now is that I am flying to Birmingham on the 11th of August to pick up my dad's SUV and then road trip it up to NYC! I will pick up my stuff, move it home, and twiddle my thumbs until September 25th...my official leave date. With a lot of family time to catch up on, I am sure I won't get bored.

Check back often as I will begin to update it fairly frequently as the day approaches. I hope to post pictures (maybe even some video), and my random thoughts. New York has been amazing, and chances are I may make my way back there again...off I go to Africa.