A geographic orientation, if you will

In response to those who have wondered where in the heck is Moldova, I give you a brief geography lesson. Below is a map of Eastern Europe, and if you look carefully, you'll find Moldova - just east of Romania, just south of Ukraine, and just west of the Black Sea (though not actually on the Black Sea). On September 11th, I'll be arriving in Chisinau (pronounced Kishinev - see Wikipedia's blurb on the capital).

Some of you might pause and ask, "But Kelsey, you're leaving at 6 something AM on August 31st...where will you be between August 31st and September 11th?? I invite you now to find Albania and Macedonia, two little countries just north of Greece, to the west of Bulgaria.
I'm going to leave Seattle on August 31st and then finally arrive in Tirana, Albania around midday on September 1st. From that point until September 10th-ish, I'll be meandering my way along the beaches of Albania and then to Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. The plans from Macedonia to Moldova are still a bit up in the air - so far I have a 30+ hour train ride as an option and I'm looking for something else a bit more desirable:)

The preparation so far has been a little harried - I finished up some powerpoint presentations for one of the PTs who is traveling with us and have mapped out a potential itinerary. Per usual Kelsey-style travel, there is enough on the itinerary for at least a month of travel and that is why you must wait a bit longer to be privy to such information (i.e. i have no idea myself, so how can I possibly tell you!)

More to come...

Generosity

Here I sit...a week from my departure date and I have been reflecting on all the extremely generous donations that have helped me to meet my fundraising goal and the surpass it! I am so grateful for the support of those around me - friends, family, classmates, and kind souls. I want to take the chance to thank you all on this here blog...but this is not nearly enough because if it wasn't for your support, I wouldn't be going to Moldova. Below are some shots of the garage sale and a list of the kind people who supported me along the way...

In no particular order, these people are the folks that donated goods to the garage sale, baked furiously in hot weather for the OT/PT bake sale, and donated money to the medical teams international website - all of them need a HUGE HUG and a THANK YOU!!

Jodi Heidmous
Trisha Neuman
Susie Byerstorfer
Lindsey Bengston
Lisa Sofio
Annie Racek
Molly Murdock and Steve Baird
MaryAnn and Bob Weber
Molly Harrigan
Lindsey Ekern
Hannah Robinson and family
Josh Aaseng and Danielle Norris
Sam and Laurel Priddy
Kathy and Himapala Marambe
Jane Waddell
Kate Mulligan
Andi Mason
Angela Chiarenza
Uncle Lawrie and Aunt Ginger
Aunt Cathy and Dwight Mahan
Mary Garcia
Beth Rollinger
Janet Powell
Tracy Jirikowic
Carol
Byrony
Rachel Kaplan
Hanssonia (aka housemates of 1102)
Byrony
Nora DeShaw
Paulie and Tonia
Kelley Totten
Mark Chambers
Eve Miller
Karen Smolich
Debbie Kingston
Grandma the Great Riechers
Christina Josey
Neighbor Bee
Susan Putham
Hillary Richardson
Molly Codd
Kara Bulthaup
Annie McMahon
Kathryn Stevens
Alicia Orr
Jenny Rastegar
Erica Bigler
Tien Le
Laura

The HUGE sale is here...

While I'm sweating in the humid and hot weather of Baltimore Maryland, my wonderful family (grandma too) is spending time pricing and organizing what should turn out to be one of the biggest sales that has ever hit Holly Street...maybe even West Linn. I encourage all interested to head on down to good ol' West Linn and check it out! Follow the craigslist ad: (http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/gms/1870797494.html (garage & moving sales)) if you'd like more info.
During my time in Ukraine, I experienced some hot and humid weather, along with some pretty rockin' thunderstorms. I'm getting a taste of that here again in Baltimore and am hoping that Moldova will have a bit of that as well. Once I get things under control, I'll post more about my trip plans. For now, I'm enjoying my time on my rotation at Johns Hopkins! too-da-loo

humble

I still have over a month before I leave for Moldova and I am realizing everyday what a humbling experience this will be. I have been worried about my funding for this trip. I want to go, so I am planning to pay any extra that I can't raise, but the generosity of old friends...and new friends has been incredible. I wholeheartedly believe in random acts of kindness and I thank all those who have chosen my trip as a way to express their act of kindness. Whether it was a little or a lot, so many people (many of whom I don't get a chance to keep in touch with) have donated to my fund. From the bottom of my heart - thank you.

so much...stuff

I am completely amazed, impressed and astounded by all the response that I've gotten from people about the garage sale. Classmates, professors, and old friends have all stepped up, cleaned out their closets and passed their precious "stuff" on to me. Now I just hope that it all sells! So please spread the word that there will be an incredible garage sale on the last weekend in July in West Linn.

School has been surprisingly difficult to manage this summer quarter, so I haven't had as much time to process the upcoming trip and experience in Moldova. Before I arrive in Moldova, I plan on flying to Albania and then travel through Albania and then on to Macedonia. Both of these countries are still off the radar (i think) of the main travel scene, so I look forward to experiencing them on a real level. I am taking a class this quarter about privilege, oppression and social justice in health care (a mouthful) and have been reading some fascinating literature about how people perceive the world. I am interested to see how my experience in this class will influence my perceptions of the people in Moldova that I will work with as well as how they experience health care.

I have more assignments to complete (not to mention an ultimate frisbee game tonight) so I bid you adieu until the next posting!

Back to the Block...the eastern block

I suppose I need to work on my blog-writing skills. After an almost four year hiatus from loading up any pictures, updates or funny stories, I'm back at it...for the time being. I am off to Moldova with a team of physical and occupational therapists, a nurse and a few students to train medical professionals in Moldova about rehabilitation techniques as well as provide some direct patient care. I will leave for 10 days of travel prior to meeting up with the team on August 31st and join the other team members in Chisinau (capital of Moldova) on September 11. For the next 15 days (Sept 11 - Sept 26), we will work in hospitals and other medical facilities conducting trainings and working with organizations in the town. If you feel so inclined to help, please follow this link
(http://www.medicalteams.org/netcommunity/KelseyWatters)
- a little or a lot - anything helps.

As of right now, I'm reading through information about different assessment tools and tests that we may administer or train health providers about. Since I'm a student, I'll probably be mostly doing assistant work, but I look forward to those rare opportunities for hands on experience!

Keep checking for more good stuff...
Kels

Pictures for you...pictures from me:)

Above is my host family at Artem's graduation, to the left is my host dad in the potato field in the village

there's my host mom with a cutie hedgehog we found on a walk one night and then my sweet bike:) its a granny one speeder, don't be jealous!
i know its cheezy...but its me...see i'm really in ukraine. i've even got a smile on my face! I will try to update this a little bit more if this will work better than emailing pictures!

5 months in and this is the first blog entry in Ukraine

Just a quick note...the rain is pouring and frankly i'd much rather stay in this computer lab all day than go outside in the rain. life in Ukraine is great thus far. School starts in a month which is just maddening. then i have to be a real teacher and such. I'm going to try to add pictures here soon, but we'll see. the internet here doesn't like my pictures for some reason!

Almost to Ukraine

Well Dayna and I (my roommate from WY) are hanging out in the wonderous Doubletree Hotel on this Mardi Gras evening...catching up with family and friends. We've had a day and a half of intensive training with our fellow 67 volunteers headed to Ukraine. Most are 22-27, but there are several "mature" volunteers who I completely repsect and admire because they are giving up homes, families, jobs, etc. I moved HOME for 9 months before I left for Ukraine w/ no responsibilities or ties to anyone, so its pretty incredible that these special people are giving up their time for this amazing experience. We've been told over and over and over again that Ukraine is by far one of the best run Peace Corps groups around the world. They are all very educated in Ukraine and we have great support from the country and the communities. The Youth Development program (that's mine) is only a few years old, but is already VERY successful. None of us know where we are going, what we are doing, or who we are staying with. They like to keep us in the dark (not really...its probably part of the Peace Corps training:)
Also...today the Peace Corps President (appointed by the White house) came to give us a GREAT speech and go team type of send off. He has a great grasp of the issues and challenges that PCVs have to deal with (oh...just to give you the heads up, apparently Peace Corps uses a lot of acroynms!). He travels everywhere and is in touch with the volunteers who are here and in country.

So tomorrow is the big day. Our flight doesn't leave until 6 pm, but we are headed to the airport at 2 pm. I guess with 68 people on one flight headed out of the country on the gov't dollar, they want to make sure that all is well! I am nervous, but mostly excited about all the new people i have met and friendships that I have begun. Its just great. I won't be able to access my email or other communications for a bit, so that will be a bit difficult or more of an adjustment than I'm used to. Prayers folks...need yo prayers! I need to keep centered and focused and don't get overwhelmed. I hope all is going well!!!

love ya
kels

the 11th hour...

Its funny how I've finally sat down to write on this page and its actually 11:00 pm, so that means I have 12 hours, 11 min until my flight to chicago leaves this BEAUTIFUL state of Oregon. But here I am...with my bags that are each 52 lbs (not the regulated 50 lbs) and a "carry-on" that well, pushes the limits of carry-on bags (yes that means i will be one of THOSE passengers that hits all the other passengers on the shoulders as they walk down the aisle to their seat). My family hosted a "PEACE-out party" as Sean calls it and some wonderful people stopped by to say hello...goodbye...and hear about all my random Ukrainian facts (i don't have many). Its hard to say goodbye for 2 years because I just don't know what that feels like to be away from the people I LOVE and care about for so long! It will be an adjustment and an adventure all in one! I have badgered the dell support people making sure i completely understand my computer because well....i doubt i'll be able to call them when i need to in Ukraine:) anyhoo...hopefully i'll figure out how to work these blog things and will be able to post pictures soon. Thank you again for all your prayers...thoughts..and love!

Kels

Its the 10 day mark...am I ready??

Welp...here I am. 10 days. Can you believe it? I can't. There's so much to do over the next week and some change, but it will all get done and I won't have to worry too much...this much I know is true. I am done shopping (well one more trip to the REI garage sale:) and as for boots...I am tired of looking for them, so I'll just wait. I am a bit intimidated by the potential "elf" boots that I have heard are all the rage for Ukrainian women. The more I read from current PCVs and other people who have lived in Ukraine, the more I realize that I worry too much. Life will go on if I get a little cold from time to time, or don't fit in (because frankly...I never did!) I am prepping the first of many mass emails to go out to my friends, family, loved ones, etc and its interesting to write.. hi...i won't see you for 2 years...i'll miss you!

Anyhoo. Last few days of prep and trying to stop ignoring the rather large pachyderm that is sitting in my room and staring at me, hoping that I finally realize what is coming my way! Here's to the last days in ptown!

Getting this thing started

well...it has begun. in a month and change, I'll be off on an adventure to Ukraine (not the Ukraine). Who knows if I'm ready and I'm not sure what to expect (besides a few things I've been told), but I'm ready for a challenge, for an adventure. The Peace Corps asks "Life is calling...how far will you go?" It seems that life has indeed called me out and I've accepted the challenge. I'm going far away to a place that is unknown to me as of now...but will soon be home. And with that...I have started my first blog:)

(but seriously though...the only thing i'm really worried about is what i'm going to wear so i reduce the risk of turning into a kelsey-sicle. i do believe that has been the bain of my existance the past few months. my only argument in favor of all the stress over the proper attire is that as long as my feet are warm...i'll be fine)