Pre-Departure

For my very first blog post, I figured it would be good to introduce myself and the motivation for my getting into the ever so popular blogging past-time. I have never been a fan of writing let alone writing on the internet so everyone can see... But this is really for my friends and family and/or whoever stumbles upon this blog, to see what's going on in the world of Afton, starting with her first adventure.

I am going to Burkina-Faso, a French-speaking country in North Western Africa, close to the Ivory Coast. I'm going as a student intern for the University of Ottawa, and have partnered with WUSC (World University Services of Canada) in this endeavor. I'm going to be speaking French the entire time (I though that aspect was really cool since I desperately need to practice), and will be helping develop a business plan to gain foreign partners and customers for a micro-enterprise that dries Mangoes and other fruits to earn an income for AIDS orphans and widows in the Houet region. I leave on Saturday, May 10th and am slated to come back on July 31st. This is the first time I'll get to really put what I've learnt in University into practice (International Development and Globalization, anyone?) and after packing and re-packing a solid eight times, I think I'm ready.

So..... This is it. It is now Monday the 6th of May and I'm finally really understanding the fact that I'll be away from home for a while. I'm more excited than anything, but there's still that silly little voice in the back of my head saying, "Afton, what about the dishes in the sink? What about the birthdays you're going to miss (Vicki!!)? What about Fergie?" (for those of you who don't know already, Fergie is the most wonderful dog-like cat in the whole wide world... she is the best companion/buddy/friend/therapist in the world...)

But I just tell that voice that I'm going on my very first adventure - this is the beginning of the rest of my life and I tell ya, I'm pumped. Although I'm going to be half a world away from all the people care about the most, I now this experience will bring us closer to each other... it will make the time we spend together that much better.

SO! Thanks to everyone and anyone who has helped me get here... family and close friends... I promise I will get off my butt even on the most exhausting days and update this blog so you know what's happening a world away!