Anna Regina is in for a shock!!

I FINALLY HAVE MY PLACEMENT!

I was clearing the bedroom of my old apartment Wednesday morning when I took a break to check my emails. I made the mistake of checking facebook at the same time and saw that two of my fellow volunteers had received their school placements. I instantly went back to my emails and continually clicked the refresh button, 30 minutes later I still hadn't received my placement. Frustration started setting in.... refresh, refresh, refresh ... still no placement. Lunch ... refresh, refresh, refresh ... no placement. I then got ready to meet my old advisor, Linda, for ice cream ... one more refresh... really, one more refresh... no placement. After some very satisfying strawberry-banana-mango sorbet from Coldstone ... refresh ... PLACEMENT!!

I have been placed as the science teacher at Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS). Anna Regina is a small town in Essequibo Coast region of Guyana, however it is the largest town in that region.

 

It takes about 3 hours to get from Anna Regina to Georgetown, the capital, using buses and boats.
The majority of people in the Essequibo region are Indo-Guyanese, but there are some other cultures such as Afro-Guyanese and Amerindians. I can't wait to get a taste (well it'll be more than a taste) of these cultures.

Map of Anna Regina

ARMS is one of the best schools in the country, but is large with an enrollment of 1100 students last year... wow... that's double the size of West Lafayette High School. eek. I guess I will describe the school more once I get there and see it for myself.

As far as communication goes, it looks like I will have access to cell phone reception, and the internet, so you all can stay tuned with my blog once it really starts to get going =).

As of right now I am a hodge-podge of emotions... sad because I just left Lafayette and all my friends, relaxed because I am at home doing nothing, and excited because I am leaving for this incredible place in just two weeks. Seems more real now =)))))))

So I had a real blond moment a few days ago, for some reason I thought I had read that I could only take one bag weighing 22lbs on the plane... ummmm.... that's not much room for clothes... at... all.... :S I thought I would have to go through the clothes I planned on taking and having to decide whether I needed to take it, or if I just wanted to take it. Well, after reexamination of the Caribbean Airlines website, it turns out I can take 2 bags weighing 50lbs each... PANIC OVER!!

Okay, time for me to go outside to read and relax for a little while.

-peace out for now

A New Twist

I have over 6 weeks left until I leave for Guyana. I still haven't received my placement yet, but I hoping to get that any day now. I will also (hopefully) have an address to post so you can all send me letters :).

I do, however, have some new news. I have decided to make one more trip home before I leave for Guyana. I have a lot of time in Lafayette with not a whole lot to do. I have had a few unfortunate and frustrating events that are making me hate being here. I didn't see the point in being stranded in Lafayette with no real home, no car or no bike when I could be stranded in Ireland with my parents and Chica.
I hate to leave everyone in the US so early, but I am going crazy here.

My next post will (hopefully) have details of my placement!!!

-peace out