Back on the Home Front

Since I have been home things have both sped up and slowed down. I feel so restless to get back working with wildlife and there isn't much more I can do to make it happen. I'm writing letters every day and meeting as many contacts as I can and even looking for professional society to join. I have met some wonderful people who are happy to give me advice and help in any way they can. It is so exciting to think that my dreams of wildlife research are obtainable. I am looking into graduate programs but I don't think that will happen for a while. I was looking at my bucket list (Yes, I wrote it down) and it is so nice looking at the things I have been able to check off this year, (like sleeping with cheetahs, going to Africa, meet Marieta, and find my passion). There is still so much that I want to accomplish and so many places I want to see but all that will come with time. They next adventure I really want to tackle...skydiving!

I thought I would add a few pictures from Namibia! More to come. It is taking a while to upload them! They are the 4 cheetahs I slept out with, so sweet. I miss them so much! Then it is Gabana, a leopard. Then Me and Abu! Right after Chloe pulled my hair but Abu was a sweetheart. Last it is me and Atheno, the next cheetah to be released into the lifeline!

I'm Back!

Well, I made it back home yesterday. The flight wasn't too long and I was actually able to get some sleep. It was really hard leaving. It makes me more determined than ever to find a job that can make me as happy as being at Harnas made me. I missed my flight to Charlotte because it took a while going through customs. They were concerned about me being on a "farm" and seemed completely unconvinced when I told them I only interacted with 1 pig and a couple sheep and that I spent more time with cheetahs and baboons than any livestock. Luckily, my boots were clean because they seemed to be debating conviscating them right off my feet. I was able to get on a flight to Greenville and only got delayed by about 3 hours. Unfortunately my checked bag didn't make the flight. It is taking the seanic route home. It was so good to see my family! I really missed them a lot when I was gone. cali went crazy when she saw me, Buffy and Molly did too. The cats are acting mad to show me that leaving was not acceptable. I stayed up until 10 and expected to be completely exhausted because it was 3 o'clock in Namibia. It was nice to be in my bed with the zoo and slept like a rock. I had to laugh when I woke up and saw it was light out, I thought it would be late in the morning but it was 8:02. Exactly the same time I always wake up. It is so relaxing being home and going through my pictures. I am really hoping my bag gets here today. Thank you all for reading and keeping up with me. It is so much easier typing on a computer than on my kindle. I will add pictures of the animals in a little while!

It Ended Too Soon!

This is the last morning at Harnas. It was a beautiful sunrise but I'm not ready to go. I will have so many more stories when I get.home.but for now this is the last of my Internet time. Ive loved.every minute here and as I told marieta last night, I'm already anxious to come back. Africa has.touched my heart and the impact its left will stay with me forever.

I Have Found My Bliss!

Last night I went on research. Ive always felt that research isn't for me. That is until I got here. I have been searching for the right career path for about a year now. Nothing really felt right. I read Anderson Cooper's book and he says his mom always told him to "find his bliss ". I really do feel that.I have found my bliss. We drove around tracking the gps collars of Max and Morris first. They are two male cheetahs raised at harnas. They can track all his movements and activities. They are researching to see if cheetahs are more clear area hunters or more Bush felt. This could help show that cheetahs are more adaptable than previously thought. I got the chance to talk to the woman doing the research and asked how she got into it. She told me she graduated with a degree in animal science and came here as a volunteer. Then she came back to do a 3 month research project and after that she came back to stay. She intends to get a masters in a few years and aa PhD. I nearly fell over! I didn't think id be in a position to get there. I am more motivated than ever! We then fed the wild dogs. They are adorable ans crazy. They are the most endangered species in Africa and I feel priveldged to get to be so close. Then we went to track pride and her babies. This is a true miracle for harnas. Pride was hand raised and still very tame. They released her into the lifelike 2.years ago. She has been hunting and being a wild cheetah. 10 weeks ago she surprised everyone by having 2 cubs. She got.pregnant by a wild cheetah which is huge! It means that harnas has produced a new generation of wild cheetahs. We walked through the bush and finally found them. Pride came out and drank water from a water bottle then she walked up to me and licked my face a couple times. It was rough but so special. Then she walked away to be with the cubs. They were adorable and playful. I got a few cute pictures but the memory will be better than any picture I got. The cubs hiss.aand growl because they get no human interaction so they will be truly wild. We stated as long as we could but it was getting dark and we had to get atheno. We drove out to where a trap was set. There is a young cheetah who was found eating with pride and her cubs. Everyone was excited because being solitary animals it.is unheard of for one cheetah to allow an unrelated male cheetah to share her kill. Especially when she has cubs but pride was letting him. However he was dangerously thin. He acts scared of meat from humans and they wanted to capture him so he wouldn't die. He wouldn't go into a cage so they were using atheno as a guide of what to do. We went to bring atheno back and got him out of his cage. The cage wouldn't fit in the land rover so it was the 4 volunteers and atheno in the back. He was.walking around looking out the window. When we stopped to open a gate he wanted a better view. So he jumped up in the front seat. He acted like it was where he was meant to be. It was so much fun. Tomorrow I want to see what else they do during the day. I have a feeling research is the field for me. Today I went to church again. I wanted to once more before I left. The pastor is so passionate and the children are adorable. The people here are so beautiful. It hit me that I am leaving in 4 days. I cant think about it without getting emotional. Its only been 3 weeks but so many of my questions have been answered and I don't think ive ever felt so comfortable so quick. Its so far from home and I don't want to be so far from my family but the more I think I might apply for research positions over here. I don't think ill be satisfied working with animals.behind bars. Its.overwhelming to think of where my life might lead from here but as my new motto says "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough"

Fun Night, Stressful Morning

Yesterday we had a party at the lapa. It was so much fun. Marieta came and parties too. She was cheering on Johan telling him she wanted to know whet the joke about the striptease was all about so he jumped on the fire pit and danced to sexy and I know it. Lol we sang our songs and she even wanted us to play Roxanne (a drinking game) so she could see it. This morning Everett gave me my book which she was kind enough to sign for me. Today was supposed to be a lazy day. Lots of people with hangovers. Luckily not me. But instead of doing farm work Bonita asked me and Taylor to walk with Chloe and Abu. It was a lot like last time. Chloe played in trees and Abu stayed close. Soon Abu fell asleep on my lap. He slept even as I walked with him. This time I was able.to get pictures. Then Chloe jumps on my shoulder and poops on me. Then if that wasn't.enough she pees on me too. She then pulls my head down by my hair taking out a good sized clump (aren't baboons fun) now its lunch time. I had a nice shower and hopefully this afternoon will be more relaxed

What an Amazing Night!!

Last night was.one of the mort amazing night I have ever had. I hurried through food prep until I got to Abu and Chloe. Abu LOVES to cuddle and did not want me to leave. Nothing would distract him. After about 15 minutes I snuck out but Chloe slipped out. Abu sat next to the gate crying as we chased her. I finally was able to grab her and toss her back in. Then me and 4 other volunteers met at the volunteer room to sleep with the cheetahs. We took foam mattresses and as many sleepingbags as we could find and went to the enclosure. Everyone says we had to get there before dark and they probably wouldn't come to meet us. Everett told us they normally sleep under a tree. Their enclosure is BIG and has a lot of trees. Before dark we walked around to find them. We found one cheetah then a few minutes later we found a tree with 3 of them sleeping beneath ...we found our spot. We walked back and dragged all our sleepingbags and things. (Think Beverly hillbillies in the African bush) we all settled in as the sunset. They set dinner aside for us so we watched the sunset as we waited for dinner. It was so surreal laying next to 4 cheetahs. We gave them space because we wanted them to stay the night. Then the lions began their nightly serenade. It sounded even louder than from the village because they are so much closer. When we went out for dinner the lapa manager was teasing us for A) sleeping out in the freezing cold B) sleeping outside next to a wild powerful predator that most people have a healthy fear of. She sent us off saying good night and good luck. Then we walked to our spot and crawled into our sleepingbags. Laying under the African stars is so peaceful with the occasional shooting star. The lions roaring and the constant low purr of the cheetahs. I thought I would be a little scared in the pitch dark but with 4 cheetahs laying 5 feet away I felt safe. I fell asleep so early but it was so relaxing. I slept really well. Id wake up from time to time and glance over to make sure they were still there and fall back asleep. I wasn't even cold considering I had 4 layers and 2 sleepingbags. Around 3 am the tipsters started. Apparently they didn't get the memo about waiting for the sun but I was able to.fall back asleep. Then at 5 the sun began to rise and I woke up to a baboon screaming. Their enclosure is so close it sounded like they were right behind me. I looked up to see 2 of the cheetahs with their heads low looking in the direction of the noise. My heart nearly stopped but nothing was there. I lay there watching the sunrise and slowly the cheetahs began to purr. My camera battery decided to die but my friend took pictures for me. We all got cute pictures. They have distinct personalities. Two were morning cats when the other 2 nipped when the others moved to get comfy. They were so lazy in the morning. It was so surreal to wake up with them. We had to pack up to get breakfast. I gave my favorite a quick kiss and headed for the village. To complete the African morning a group of springbok bounced across path. Today will be a good day. Nothing can get to me after a morning like that.

Dirty Work Day!

Today I went on tour. Normally we go with guests so they can see the wild animals eat. There were no guest so it was just volunteers. We threw donkey legs, hearts, heads, and organs to the lions, cheetahs, caracals and milipop to the baboons. I got blood and milipop everywhere. It was a lot of fun. The caracals can jump and do flips in the air. We also got to feed the African wild dogs. They are the most endangered animal in Africa and harnas has 2 that are pregnant. It was very messy but fun. I learned a lot from the tour guide Johan. It is one of the coolest things I've done. To throw meet to a hungry lion is amazing. The power that these animals have is incredible. I'm more in love with them than ever. It is also interesting to see a group of 22 cheetahs(normally solitary animals) fight over food. The longer I stay here the more I think I would love to work here. Or at least pursue a career in research. Tonight me and 3 other people are sleeping out with 4 cheetahs under the stars. It will be cold but so worth it!!

A Very Happy Birthday!

This afternoon was even more rewarding than this morning. After lunch I volunteered again to help dig holes for a new enclosure for atheno. It was really hard work but I really enjoyed the people I was working with and in the end I feel like I did a small part to contribute to Harnas. When we were done marieta again said she would come for dinner. She recently got the whole truth about people's concerns and she wants the volunteers to know how much she cares. I couldn't be more excited! We also had a lecture from one of the girls on the research team about leopards (which are quickly becoming my favorite animal here.) It was very interesting. I hope to speak to her this week because I would love to do what she does. Then we went to the village for dinner. I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear we were having burger's and fries. It was amazing... there were even mushrooms. After we got food marieta came and was saying hello to everyone. Then she asked who had a birthday. I raised my hand and with a big smile she says "Later I will give you a hug you will never forget" which got cheers from everyone. Then our volunteer mom introduced her by saying "in case you all didn't know we have a special guest" before she could say anymore marieta says "IT'S MEEEE!" Everyone laughed. Everything about marieta makes me happy. Then she told everyone that we can always talk to her even though when she is loud she sounds like a bitch. Her words, not mine. Then came time for cake. Marieta asked where the birthday girl was and came over to me (with Abu on her hip) and gave me a great big hug. She wished me happy birthday and that I have many more. In the past every language sings their happy birthday song and then we eat cake. So Kate announces its time to sing. I get my camera ready to casually take pictures as I hear marieta say that I should stand on the table. Which everyone thought was a great idea. The last time I was in this position it was on a wobbly barstool at the cactus for my 21st. This is just as memorable,if not more. I got to pick the order of who sang and everyone sang their songs. I always feel awkward with so much attention, I couldn't stop myself from grinning. I am so happy here. The last language to sing was English and everyone sang it. It was so special. Then it was time me to get my first piece of cake. It was chocolate cake and in the middle was a heart out of cherries. As I walked up Gibon, the bartender and the chef(Idont know his name) took out the heart that took up 4 pieces of cake and gave it to me. It was so sweet. They even gave me sprinkles! Then marieta had to take Abu home but I made sure to thank her for everything and tell her how much I love it here. She thanked me for being there and gave me another big hug and said she loved seeing us so happy. I know that the people at Harnas celebrate everyone's birthday but to see all these people who a week ago were strangers going.out of their way to make it special really means a lot to me. Having marieta here tonight was such a blessing. She is becoming such a role model. Little things she does or says reminds me of mu grandma. I got choked up because tonight it felt like I had a little piece of her with me. The only thing that could have made this day better would have been to have my parents and my sister with me. I am truly blessed to be here. I already know this will be a turning point in my life. Something I tell my grandkids about. Tonight I go to bed feeling as though I have made a difference and truly touched by all the people who helped make today so special.

A Wonderful Birthday Morning!

Today is my birthday! The first thing I thought of when I woke up was."happy birthday to me" haha then I got out the card my parents sent with me to open here. It was beautiful and is now decorating my room. My roomie came to wish me happy birthday and gave me a hug. At breakfast the volunteer mom said a loud happy birthday and everyone has been sending birthday wishes all morning. Tonight we will have cake. I have been trying to decide what I wanted to do on my birthday. I knew I didn't want to do food prep. I decided I wanted to do something that will leave a lasting impact at Harnas long after I leave. So I did farm work. I help dig holes 5 feet deep to install a.fence for a new ostriach enclosure so Atheno can have a bigger.enclosure. I was very excited that marieta was going to be with us. Today is also a big day for Atheno. Today he is starting a soft release to the lifeline so he can be a wild cheetah. Everyone was taking pictures and Caleb videotaped it. It went very well. All of his basic instincts are great. He will do wonderfully. We went with marieta to look at the new enclosure and told us where to dig. She has such a great sense of humor. I am so happy she said that tonight she is coming to the village to talk to the volunteers. I couldn't ask for a better dinner guest on my birthday, except my family...and maybe Ghandi but don't get me started on that (it still blows my mind) After we finished our holes I felt a great sense of accomplishment and proud that something I did would help for a long time. Then I met up with marieta and asked if she would be willing to sign my copy of Soul of the Lion. She said she would be happy to and bring it to.dinner. I feel so blessed to be here. Its lunch time but.I just had to share my wonderful morning

Lazy Sunday

Today has been a very relaxing day. We went on special fence patrol this morning. I got to see another beautiful African sunrise. Jaco drove us around looking for giraffe and to make sure all the fences were ok. Unfortunately we didn't see the giraffe. Rumor has it a baby zebra is coming but no one is reaally sure. The rest of the morning we watched Abu play with the baby caracal.,went in with the leopards, and I sat with Audrey (the blind vervet monkey) for a while. Sundays are so nice. Church was was cancelled today so we are relaxing.until lunch. Guess what everyone!!! After so many people said they couldn't comment I fixed it!! Now everyone should be able.to comment :-)

Jacob the prison break babon!

Today was a pretty relaxed day. Everyone was feeling lazy. I was helping get ready for the afternoon meeting and went to the kitchen for our snack. I jokingly said "wouldn't it be my luck that one of the baboons would get out" we were getting cups put as we heard something on the roof of the open aired lapa. Then I looked up to see small fingers and a tiny baboon face. Then very quickly he jumped down and smacked the tray of muffins on the ground. The other volunteer left and the baboon was between me and my way out. I quietly put the cups down, said a prayer and hoped he was distracted with the muffins. This is the first encounter with Jacob. Id seen him in the "prision" but he has long since broken out and now he does it multiple times a day. He is too smart for his own good.

Baboon Walk

Today I went on a baboon walk with Chloe and Abu, the smallest baboons. We took them out into the bush and let them run, play, and climb trees. Little Abu is so sweet and loves to be held. Chloe likes to jump on my shoulders and get a ride then when she wants to get down she uses my hair as a tree branch and pulls it to the ground. They had fun chasing each other. Every once and a while they would run up and ask for water and drink it like little babies. It really does seem like little humans instead of baboons. I'm so thankful my laundry was in the volunteer room because both of them took turns sitting on my shoulder and peering down my back. Overall it was a lot of fun. I am still more of a big cat person but the baboons are really sweet.

Cheeky Cheetahs

Today I got assigned to help out at the Cheeky Cheetahs. The school on Harnas for the children of the bushmen. We played with them. They were so sweet. We drew pictures and played games. They danced for us and loved the new people. They LOVED cameras. I have so many pictures from when they took the camera. It was such a lovely experience. Its so much fun here. I love getting to know people and feeling like part of the group. The only thing I can't get used to is all the smoking. But it.is easy to ignore when I'm here. Now we are planning the prank for the newbies coming tomorrow night. I'm glad I came last week. :-P No hints. Ill keep updating! I'm not sure.if anyone is reading it but if you are I hope you are enjoying it!

My own kind of paradise!

As I write this I'm sitting at the resort laps with African music playing., having a beerand waiting to have dinner. Today was another awesome day. I walked with ostriaches and had to protect them from the wild one. Just picture me running through the busy chasing away enormous birds. It was insane. Then I went to see Chloe and Abu the baboons. Abu just wanted to be held but Chloe was hyper. She jumped on my head and pulled out my hair tie with a hand she convienently had poop in! I smelled fantastic!! Then I went to the meerkats and.sat.with them as they dug at my boots and climbed on my head. The baby caracals are so cute! Very small ans fuzzy and they love to play! I am loving every minute here trying not to take one minute for granted. I have so many pictures to share and believe it or not I usually have to zoom out because I'm sitting too close.

Harnas so far!

Sorry it has taken so long to post anything. Technical difficulties but I'm back now. Please bear with me, I'm on my kindle. Here is a brief overview of my time so far: Day 1: we finally arrived at Harnas after a long drive and a flat tire. We met the volunteer director Jack. He has been working here for 7 months now. Then all the "oldies" came back and introduced themselves to us. It was all a blur. Then we got put into groups. I'm in the owls group. Everyday its our duty to feed the vervet monkeys (izzypoo and lolli) the wild vervets, Chloe the babooon, the one eyed one winged owl, the macaw,harriett the pig and the house cats. We all sat by the bonfire until bedtime. Day 2: Today the "newbies " got a tour of the farm and Jack told us what to do if animals misbehave. We did border patrol and checked the fences. One cheetah gotout but since he was food motivated they would get him with meat. Then we were taught how to do food prep and deliver the food. Day 3:today we had food prep, where we made all the food and took it to our animals. Then we sat outside the baboon enclosure so they got to know us. As I pet Chloe she fell asleep on my hand. Then we had a barbeque. The food here is actually really good. Day 4: today we did food prep again. We cant go in with the animals alone until Tuesday. After morning food prep I went to Chruch. It is a beautiful open aired chapel. The donkeys decided to.join us too. The bushmen came. There was a lot of singing. The sermon was both in English and Afrikaans. Marieta and her granddaughters were there. We were going to sit with baboons and when we got there Jaco was in with them. He let us come in with him. All the time grooming them paid off the alpha female sat back to back with me and another one fell asleep against me. They also played a prank where Jack came screaming and running saying a lion got out. Everyone took off running into the laps and up the trees. Everyone but us newbies knew it was a joke.

Windhoek, Namibia!!

Well, I made it! I am in Chameloen Backpackers in Windhoek. I have met two other people going to Harnas. They were actually on both the JFK and Johannesburg flights. I am so excited for tomorrow! I barely got any sleep on the plane so I am super tired! I am hoping to stay up until 9 but we will see if that happens. It still doesn't seem real to be in Africa! It probably won't hit me until tomorrow. We were able to go into Windhoek and look around. It seems like a very busy small city. I will try to keep updating after getting to Harnas tomorrow! Thanks for following, feel free to comment!!

So close...kind of!

I'm currently sitting in my favorite citrus in the whole world. If I wasnt going on such an amazing trip I'd stay here. Though I do have to say that Namibia wins for sure! I am sittin outside the gate charging my phone before boarding my 16 hour flight! Yep it's on the top 10 longest flights in the world. Going through the security line I met the film crew for the Gene Simmons Family Jewels show. Apparently they are going with Gene to a safari and to see a charity he donates to...sounds like a cool guy. The crazy stalker in me is thinking "cool! 16 hours to chill with Gene Simmons" but odds are he will board after everyone and leave before but who knows. It's still cool to be traveling with him. Getting here was intimidating. So busy and HUGE. I get off the plane and ask where to go for the international terminal. Then the woman asks..."which one?" ummm excuse me?! There's more than one?! But she told me where to go and I found it just fine. All my things are charged and I even have swiss chocolate so I'm ready! Any time I get overwhelmed or intimidated I just need to remember "If your dreams don't scare you they arent big enough" well, next time I write it will be from South Africa!!!

Here I Go!!

I made it to Charlotte an I'm now sitting at my gate. It's crazy to think of what's really happening. Got through security without any problems and I think only half of the other passengers things I'm OCD for checking things a million times. Passport...ticket...visa....passport...ticket...visa and on and on. My "I'm forgetting something" feeling has gone away. There's really nothing I can do about it now. And unlike I thought I would I feel relieved to have my big suitcase checked. Well, boarding time! See everyone in JFK!!

24 Hours!

Well, a short 24 hours from now I will be in Charlotte, NC to check into a hotel before flying out on Tuesday. It always seemed so far away but now that it is here I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. My mom helped me get everything packed, the batteries are all charged, camera memory is all empty and I have plenty of books loaded on my kindle, just in case I run out of movies on the plane (I don't think that's possible). I still have to make playlists on my iPod but that is not a major priority.

(P.S-I am not wearing this there!)

Tomorrow I am so excited to finish the final course for my Bachelors degree, then we will drive down to Charlotte for dinner with my cousin before taking a short nap. Then I'm off! I get on the plane and I'm FINALLY on my way to Africa.

(My dad and I in our matching safari hats)

Going Away Party!

Last night we had a going away/early birthday party because I will be in Africa for my birthday. We made a ton of food and embraced Cinco de Mayo and made tacos. My cousin from Charlotte came up and my sister and her boyfriend came over. It was so much fun! I am truly blessed to have such an amazing family. I love spending time with them.

 I made a cake that ended up looking really good, if I do say so myself. I wanted it to be an animal themed cake. The bottom layer was chocolate/vanilla so that it would look like a zebra, the middle layer was peanut butter/chocolate to look like a cheetah and the top was Funfetti...just because I like it. When it came to frosting it it was harder than I thought. It took me about 4 hours to decorate. It was so tedious but I really enjoyed doing it. Plus, it went really well with all the animal theme decorations we got. 

It occurred to me last night that in 2 days I will be going to Charlotte and I have to be ready. It is slightly intimidating. I feel like I should have been preparing much sooner. But I know I will get everything done.

It's all so surreal!

        Exactly one week from today I will be driving down to Charlotte to spend the night because my flight leaves at 6 A.M on Wednesday! I am so excited!! I have everything I need and just need to work on packing! A girl I have been speaking with arrived at Harnas last week. She sent me a message saying that it is cold at night and after reading her blog (with help from google translation :-) ) learned that it is really hot in the day time.
           It hasn't yet sunk in that I am really going. I've been talking about it for so long that I can't believe it's really here. I don't think it will hit me until I am either on the flight or in the airport in Johannesburg. It seems so surreal to sit here thinking about what will happen. Everyone who has been there says their time there changed them and that their lives were never quite the same after. I have no doubt it will do the same for me. I don't know how it couldn't but it seems a little bizarre anxiously waiting a month knowing there's a good chance I won't be the same two months from now.

3 weeks!!

Only 3 weeks to go!! It honestly seems like it's been somewhat of a dream. There has been a lull in the planning. I keep reminding myself it's real and only a few short weeks away. I am reading the book Secrets of the Savannah that was lent to me by Allen Michem, the best travel agent ever! I am so excited and have to pinch myself. It occurred to me today that this time, 3 weeks from now I will be on the plane to Johannesburg....with only another 8 hours or so to go. I can't wrap my head around it all but couldn't be more excited to go on this journey!

So excited!!!

   Well, I haven't posted anything in a few days because not too much was going on in regards to my trip and with family over for the holiday I was having a great time relaxing and enjoying the company. Yesterday, I became a human pin cushion as I had to get my second of the rabies, tetanus, typhoid and Hep A vaccines. The nurse went all over the CDC website almost begging it to tell her I need more but luckily I only needed the 4. I also got a prescription for anti malarial medication. She went into detail about my three options...option A- makes you over sensitive to sunlight exposure (I'll be in the sun all day) option B- gives you insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever and about a million other things (It sounds almost worst than malaria itself) and then option C- no real side effects but costs about $9-10 per pill ( I need 34!) Ouch!! There is a generic form of option C so I am praying it is reasonable. 

   Today I found a good deal on a luggage set and started laying out all the things I will be needing to take. It is only 5 weeks away and I am starting to get very excited! It seems real as I put it all together. Now all I really have to do it wait, pack and pick a book to read on the plane!!

Yay! It Finally Came!!

  Well, things are really starting to come together. I got my hiking boots today so I can start breaking them in. Nice Timerland ones that were on sale so we got them at a really great price. By doing this my parents took me to a store that if could seriously feed my shoe addiction once I get a job...a girl can hope for shoe spending money anyway :-) 

   Today I received by group working visa! So now I can actually go. I don't need to worry about being stopped in the airport or anything.  It really seems real now. I am getting more excited by the day! Only a month and I'll be counting down the days. Tomorrow I go to get the first of the three shots in the rabies series. It is not very fun but I should be getting shots almost every week until I go...Yay! But I'm actually excited to get them because it means I am getting closer to going!

Soul Of A Lion

  I thought it was time I paid tribute to what inspired me to travel to Harnas. The book I found, frankly by pure dumb luck at the library. The book is called Soul Of A Lion written Barbara Bennett, a professor at North Carolina State University. I read this book back in August of 2011 and it has stayed with me ever since. Being a professor of english she has a slight advantage in the writing department but this book is exquisitely written. I could not put it down and even now am anxious to read it again. She writes so vividly that you can see all the stories she describes, even though they are like nothing you have ever heard of before. I read in awe of her close personal stories with the animals at Harnas, very jealous and dreaming of a day that I could get similar experiences. This book also tells the story of how Harnas was founded and about the life of the woman who started it, Marieta van der Merwe. 
   Throughout this book it is clear to see how hard Marieta worked to help the animals that could not help themselves. She is truly inspiring. I am so excited to have the opportunity to meet her and watch how she interacts with animals. I encourage anyone who has a love of animals, adventure, Africa or simply great stories to read this book. 
    My mom ordered Soul of A Lion and it arrived in the mail this week. It has been so much fun remembering the stories as my mom reads it. I don't think anyone can read it and not be in awe of what is taking place there. I am forcing myself to wait until right before I go to reread it. I think it will be the perfect way to psych myself up even more and prepare my mind for what I am about to experience. Though I highly doubt anything will really make me mentally prepared. I just wanted to pay tribute and HIGHLY recommend this book because it alone has done so much to encourage me and give me passion to pursue the life and career I am. I guess you can say just reading the book changed me a little, I can only imagine what going there will do. 

Wow!

  I keep finding things that make me even more excited. This particular one will more than likely be one that I will be excited about after it is done. When I leave JFK to go to Johannesburg, South Africa I will be embarking on one of world's longest flights, according to the article on Yahoo News this morning! A couple glasses of wine, hopefully a short 8 hour nap and maybe a movie or season of Gilmore Girls and if I'm feeling a need to fill the rest of the time maybe I can read a couple books. :-)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/worlds-longest-flights-211655905.html

What a Day!

   Today was somewhat of an eventful information day as far as my trip goes. I had to postpone getting my vaccines because of a reaction I got last week on my hand, no idea what caused my hand to freak out but hopefully it will be solved soon. 

   The rest of my day was much more enlightening. For the first time since I had the idea "I want to go to Africa" I actually paused for a minor second and thought "what did I do?" Okay, so not that drastic, I'm not rethinking my plans and I am still excited beyond belief. I was speaking to my friend and she told me about a blog she read saying that the policy regarding volunteer interactions with lions has been changed somewhat due to a young male volunteer claimed to be a "lion whisperer" and snuck into the kitchen at night dousing himself in animal blood and going into the lion enclosure. Needless to say it did not end well. We cannot confirm this but it is quite a story to tell around the campfire.

     I also read about needing to boil warm for a warm shower. Now I know this is an obvious thing but for some reason it really never crossed my mind. I have a feeling there are many things that I have assumed but should not assume. We all know what they say about when you assume things. I also read a blog talking about the "extremely precarious and unsafe transport-balancing on firewood/cans/rocks on the back of a van going 90 miles an hour through the bush!" It is interesting to see what different people's points of view are. I have no doubt it I will come across many things that will change me and make me stronger. I can overcome anything and will have the time of my life...and as long as I don't run around covered in blood should return safe and sound to pursue a very exciting career!

Is It May 9th Yet?!

      I am getting so anxious to go I can barely stand it. I have confirmed my reservation at the hostel and it looks so nice! I am really hoping that other volunteers will be there when I get there, or even friendly tourists like me who might want to look around. I don't feel confident enough to walk around by myself but I would really like to see Windhoek. From what I have seen and heard it is a pretty city. Everyday I look on the facebook page for Harnas and see updates on Merci and Beaucoup, the two cheetah cubs that Pride delivered last week. They are so precious, I truly hope I may have the chance to see them. They should be opening their eyes soon! 

     One obstacle that I have come across in preparing for my adventure is one that I am thoroughly dreading. That horrible fear of needles has apparently not gone anywhere. I won't ever let it hold me back but I did ask my mom to come with me in case I pass out... So far, on tap for Thursday is Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, and Rabies. That upside of the rabies being pink is slightly less exciting as it was a couple days ago. However, once in 10 years it's that bad I suppose.

      I can't wait to go. It seems like it is forever away but at the same time with each passing week it seems like there's a lot left to be done. Now all that I have to do is get "disposable" clothes and some boots, and other odds and ends. Then pack it all in a baboon proof suitcase, if there is such a thing!

Getting Ready...

  It seems as though I'm in good shape getting ready for my trip. I have all the deposits paid, the airline flights booked, with the help of Allen Michem, I will be flying on South African Airways I'll be leaving Charlotte at 6:00 am on May 9 and heading to JFK. From there I will be taking a 14.5 hour flight to Johannesburg! Yes, you read that right...14 hours  and 30 minutes!! Looks like I'll be taking a couple seasons of Gilmore Girls and a good book to keep me occupied. I'm thinking War and Peace should be long enough. 

   It's a little too early to start packing, though I am getting anxious to put everything in my bag and go. But for now I have what seems like a mile long list of things I need to bring with me. 

   On the front burner now is making a reservation at the hostel in Windhoek for the night I arrive. Then going to the Health Department to get vaccines... so far the list is up to 3 but it may possibly grow. The needle-phobic part of me is dreading this part of the planning. The only upside of the shots so far? My new friend who is also going to be there in May has told me that if I need the Rabies vaccine it is magenta! I guess we will see how it goes, I for one am just hoping to make it through the appointment without passing out!

   

HARNAS

   Harnas Wildlife Foundation was started by Marieta Van der Marwe who has always loved animals and tried to care for those who could not care for themselves. She took in injured and orphaned animals and cared for them, releasing them to the wild when she could. Today she takes in volunteers and gives them the chance of a lifetime as they help her care for the animals.

   There are many types of animals at Harnas. The cheetahs and lions most capture my heart. Some of the most exciting news in the last week has been that Pride, one of the cheetahs in Harnas' life-line program gave birth to two baby cubs. There are also lions, servals, leopards, crocodiles, meerkat, baboons, tortoises, bat eared fox, African wild dogs, giraffe and many more.

   Their motto is "expect the unexpected" each day is filled with the unknown and full of extraordinary challenges. I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to take part in this wonderful cause for 3 weeks. I am sure I will not return the same as I am now. I hope that one day I can find myself in a career that makes me feel as truly fulfilled as I am sure she must.

Where it all began...

          In the summer of 2011 I moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina from West Lafayette, Indiana where I was attending Purdue University. I recently graduated with a bachelors degree in Animal Science with a focus on behavior and well being. I moved in with my parents hoping to find a job and a career path that would inspire me. After arriving in Hendersonville, my sister and I found ourselves looking for things to do and soon found our way to the library. I began checking out books from the library, 10 to 15 at a time. I read just about anything from biographies, to stories of schitzophrenia to fun fiction stories but the stories I got into the most were ones about a far off land and the amazing animals that lived there, as well as some pretty amazing people.

         After reading Anderson Cooper's book, I began feeling anxious to start doing SOMETHING after hearing that out of college he printed a fake press pass and went into war zones to pursue his passion. Now, I wasn't about to do something that intense but I kept reading about people who had helped shape wildlife conservation as it is today. I then read Born Wild by Tony Fitzjohn who was somewhat of an apprentice to George Adamson who is best know for helping return Christian the lion to the wild. I was in awe at how care free he was in his pursuit of his dream and became slightly jealous of the close interactions he had with the lions.

        I then stumbled on a book that would lead to a series of major decisions in my life. I found a book in the library's catalog titled Soul of a Lion  written by Barbara Bennett, ironically enough a professor at North Carolina State University. Once I got this book home I could not put it down. It is a story centered around a magical place called Harnas, a wildlife rehabilitation camp in Namibia. Every chapter is filled with heart wrenching stories of success, loss and determination to help those unable to help themselves. I was immediately in awe of the work being done there and began fantasizing of being able to do it myself. I found myself talking about going to Africa to volunteer, maybe do an internship. It seemed like a pipe dream, something to put on the bucket list and one day many years from now I might go on a safari or two. The more I began talking about it the more it seemed like it could be possible. Soon I found myself discussing options with my parents and found that they didn't think the idea was too crazy either. I started finding information everywhere. I looked into options in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania but none of them seemed to fit. That is when my mom told me about an article she read in the newspaper. It was about an event being held at the library. It stood out because the gentleman who was speaking spoke of his love for Africa and the many trips he had taken there and was scheduled to speak about his experiences and how to take a trip yourself. I put it on the calendar. When the night came my dad and I went to listen to Allen Mitchem. At the end of his presentation I was even more anxious to go after seeing his gorgeous pictures and wild stories of his adventures.

           It was still a very hypothetical scenario but we began throwing around dates and trying to figure out how we could make it happen. In February, I had decided that I would be going but couldn't decide if I would go in May or September. After a couple weeks of going back and forth I decided that I would be going to Namibia in May 2012 to volunteer at Harnas for 3 weeks. After I made the decision it was as if I hit the ground running, It has been a whirlwind of visa applications, and many trips to visit Allen Mitchem to ask countless questions and booking my flights.

          It is all starting to sink in that I am actually going. Today was the day we booked my flights...South African Airways...and I have met someone on facebook who will be there when I am. So much still left to do but the excitement is building and only 7 weeks left before I leave on my next big adventure.

The Bucket List

       A few years ago when the movie The Bucket List came out it became one of my favorite movies. I had not heard of a bucket list before the movie came out, at least not by that name. I have grown up being told that nothing is impossible and if I want something bad enough and I'm willing to work for it then I can do anything. Having a very active imagination I always let myself get carried away daydreaming of what the future might hold. I've always been the type of person to get an idea stuck in my head and then have a hard time letting it go. When I become passionate about something I get somewhat singularly obsessed with making it happen. Not everything ends up becoming what I imagined but in the end I have been able to look back and see how it was for the best. When I was 13 I read a book about a teenager with cancer, part of the story included a plea from the girl's sister begging people to become bone marrow donors as it can be a lifesaving last option for some patients. I thought about and talked about it for 5 years and before my 18th birthday I announced that on my 18th birthday I would go to San Diego and join the National Bone Marrow Registry. To this day this is one of the leading things on my bucket list, however finding a match is out of my control.

       Before I graduated from high school I sat down and wrote out a formal bucket list. It has grown over the years and changed somewhat, become a little more realistic (I no longer want to own a litter of 7 Rotty puppies at once, and realize that owning a 20 ft yacht might not happen) but as I get older I realize that as my bucket list is not so crazy.

It won't happen over night and it definitely won't be easy but life is too short not to live it to the fullest. I never want to stop dreaming and I hope that I never finish my bucket list. So, this is a blog started after it was suggested that I blog about my experiences as I begin the journey to experience a major part of my bucket list....a trip to Africa.