This little light of mine...

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine Let it shine Let it shine

It is 8 mins. until midnight of the day I am leaving for the PC. I cannot really sleep even though I should so I thought I would just blog! I am starting to like this whole blogging thing :o). I did get critized for my "lack of proof reading." I will work on it but no promises.

Well... I was talking with my Uncle today and he said the greatness thing to me about how I have a light to me and people just flack to me. It is a good thing to remember when times are getting hard or I feel like I am not accomplishing anything (which that may happen). Life is a journey with ups and down- slow moments- fast moments but it is all about the way one responds to them...

Sometimes I guess I just write so then I can look back and read what I wrote to help me find inspiration within at moments I am feeling doubtful or struggling.

The famous clock just chimmed which means in SIX hours I will be leaving DETROIT for an AMAZING Journey- Hold on Ladies and Gents... I am about to take you on a ride of yours and mine life... :o)

Peace and Love

Less then 18 until departing...

Well...

I now have a fan base and it is a little weird. When I first started this blog nobody know I had it but now the word it out. There is a little bit of pressure knowing others will be reading this but that is OK- I come as I am and I hope you come as you are to...

Well for the past two days I have been basically just hanging out with the fam, packing for the PC, packing up the Condo I was living in, and keeping thing organized in my parents house. My parent left me store all my "stuff" at their house while I am gone!

It is still really crazy to me that I am leaving- I have so many emotions going on right now- excited, nervous, anxious, happy, terrified, but most importantly I feel at ease with the whole decision. It is an amazing feeling to have individuals tell you all the time they will be thinking and praying for me. I know my best friend has me on the top of her Pray list which makes me feel so blessed!

This is taking to long and I get getting interrupted so so for now- the next time I will be writing is from MIAMI!!

The Journey has beyond. You may not be in my sight but always in my thoughts!

MG

It is Getting Close...

Hey Everyone!

It sure has been a long minute since I have written in here. I am going to keep it short and brief just the new basics today. I cannot believe that I am leaving in about 3 days-- It is SIMPLY CRAZY!! I have some many emotions going through me right now one being EXCITMENT! I cannot wait to meet all of the volunteers with me in person and get a better feel of what I will be doing well I am in the Peace Corp. This blog will be the BEST way to see how I am doing but I would love little personal e-mails, facebook comments, and random mail as possible so there is still a sense of home when I am so fair away! Ladies and gentelman here are the details:

I am leaving for the Peace Corps on Monday, Feb 23rd.

• Where I will do a half day training in Miami
• Then spend a week in St. Lucia doing more training
• Then spend 6 weeks in Dominica with a host family doing MORE training
• Then I will move into my own "Apt" and start my volunteer work!

As far as sending personal email please use Garavami14@gmail.com


Well I am there I will be working with at risk youth.

• Promotion of healthy lifestyles
• Employment skills in schools
• Assistance to teachers where needed
• Development of after-school programs
• Service learning camps
• Development of youth leadership
• Brother/big sister programs
• Personal responsibility promotion programs
• Outreach for out-of-school youth.

Peace and Love

It is not a death wish rather a moment to live...

I was thinking about this, this morning while I am getting ready. The first thing that came to my mind is how much I wish Grand Rapids. Do not get me wrong- my heart will always be in Warren (where I was born and raised) but I have made my own home with my own memories in Grand Rapids. I live being in downtown Grand Rapids, seeing individuals walking around and protesting about SOMETHING. There is a GREAT liberal vibe on the West Side, I miss it!!



But more importantly, I was thinking about the Peace Corp Today (which is something that I think about 95.5 percent of the time). But today I was thinking how everything is my last before I leave, like I am never going to come back again. It almost seems in my head that I need to get EVERYTHING done in the last month because it will not be here when I get or I will just miss it so much. I continue to tell my self that everything should still be here when I get back and really what is one MORE time at National Coney Island or the Coffee Shop because it is not like I have not been there hundreds of times in my life. I have- the memories are there and the fun has just begun. This last month is about being with PEOPLE, my nearest and dearest!! Doing silly things, shopping too much, going out to dinner too much and laughing until I cry. Those are the moments I need right now. It is a time to live- take everything from home in so I can carry those crazy memories with me when I am away. For the next month- I am not going to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, or get made about silly things- but rather enjoy people around me and enjoy the moment.



The Peace Corp for me is the first moment of my ALMOST 23 years of living to actually enjoy what the world has to offer. It is an adventure that I have complete control of. It is my duty to make the most out of each day while I am in Dominica! I love to be in control and this is a time where I am in complete Control!!

If my love open the door... to your heart...

Well.. Today is MLK Day and I did not have to work. It is kinda nice but I am all throw off and think today is Sunday. My week is going to be Hella messed up but I am over it. I am way excited for this weekend because I get to see all of my Grand Rapids Loves and some Beach Volleyball. The AVP tourney is doing a little indoor thing in Grand Rapids so myself and some volleyball girls are all going. I am EXCITED!! It is always good to be in Grand Rapids- I really do miss not being in Grand Rapids. It is a city I fell in love with but I HATE the Winters.

Anyways-- Today I went to the Henry Ford Museum (HFM) with my sister, Austin, Andrew, and my parents. It was a lot of fun! I have not been to HFM in a long time, I cannot even remember the last I went. It was a lot of fun to see all of the old stuff and people watch naturally. Austin is my 5 month year old nephew and simply brings joy to my heart. We just had a good time today. He is so smiley and laughing. Austin and I were just laughing and having a GREAT time! I am going to miss him so much while I am gone- I will have to have Jennifer and Andrew put you tube videos up so I can see him smile and laugh. It makes me sad knowing the first time I see him crawl, walk, talk, and what not will be on a computer screen. It is something I will have to get use to i guess.

Peace and Love...

Love for 60s Music...

Nothing deep- just the simply facts today. I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop listening to fantastic 60s music which I am sure will annoy me in about 15 minutes while I am rocking out my pink high heels..

Here are the Peace Corp Facts

I am leaving on Feb. 24Th, 2009 for Miami FL for my staging event

From there 24 of us are going to Fly to St. Lucia for a week

From St. Lucia we will then be going to Dominica (8) of us to spend 6 weeks with our host family

From there I will be moving into my own place working on my assignment

I must learn Creole (A form of French)

Life is starting to fall into place- I am glad I have some facts...

PS The Post Secret At The Top of The Bag Has NOTHING To Do With Me... I just randomly picked it...

You Make Me Smile...

This is just a random one- not like the other ones are not random...

I wish everyone greeted me the way my 5 month year old nephew does. I went and saw him on Sunday and he simply made my soul happy. The minute I walked into my sisters house his face light up like Christmas morning. I am not sure if he knows who I am yet but he sure was excited to see my crazy little face...

I encourage each and everyone of you to GREET individuals with an open heart because you may never know the struggle they are facing...