There's No Place Like Home

So I am finally an official Peace Corps Volunteer!  I have moved into my new home and am very happy to report that all is well (although I miss my host family very much and plan on visiting them as often as I can).  My organization is great and will keep me very busy and my "house" is a small "four square" that will suit me just fine.  I am still figuring out how to "decorate" but am very pleased.  I have so much to learn...the new language will be the most important.  But, for now, here I am in beautiful South Africa.

Oh, and please use my new address (it's posted on the right)!  It's ready to accept lots of mail from you!

Changes are happening!

I am again at an internet store checking email and thought I would say hello (Thobela)!  Since my last quick post there are changes potentially happening with my site placement so until further notice please hold off on sending me letters, candy, pictures, coffee, cookies, books, art supplies (you get the picture that I want goodies!) until further notice.  There are a couple of changes in the works so I may or may not have the same name/address.  I will let you know soon (I know you hang on my every word).
This will be my last week at our training/host site with my small community of Peace Corps "family" and my wonderful host family (pictures to come soon) and I will officially be sworn in as a volunteer (of course if I pass the tests that we will be taking on Monday and Tuesday).  Then, I will be taken away to my new community where I will be officially on my own.  Scary but true.  I will start making a home for myself meeting my co-workers, family and community.  I will let everyone know where I will be staying shortly and look forward to having more frequent internet access (I hope).

Oh, for anyone who is getting ready or thinking about joining the Peace Corps...it's an amazing opportunity but nothing I or anyone else can tell you will prepare you for this journey.  You just have to take it. 

Avuxeni (hello)!

I am alive and send my love!  I am happily matched with MAMA MONICCA and sister (her granddaughter) TUMI.  They are so loving!  MAMA only speaks Sotho but TUMI speaks English (she's 17) and they are great.  The village is called Machipe.  I am being taught Xitsonga because after I am with my host family for 2 months I will be going to a community that speaks Xitsonga (I think it will be north of here).  Love, Wendy (LETHABO). [posted for Wendy by Christine Blackmore]