Finally here!!!

This is going to be an extremely short post...

It is now Saturday at 4 pm here in Fiji. The staging in LA went well and the flight over was horrendous. It was rough and I couldn't sleep at all. This only made jet lag worse... and I proceeded to fall asleep on the bus ride to our first site despite beautiful tropical landscapes mixed in with shanties and free-roaming livestock. So far I have been swimming in the pacific and have driven along the coast of about half of the main island. I've seen a rugby game. Learned how to introduce myself in Fijian and ask where someone is going. And...I have missed Marissa tons and know that this experience will only make us stronger. I love you all and appreciate your support in this process beyond words. Vinaka vaka levu (Thank you so much). I will be getting a cell phone within the week and will post the number on here as soon as possible so you guys can call me. Sorry no photos yet...but i will ASAP!!!

Carrying on the good 'ol College Procrastination...

Ok...This is going to be a short one...

I am leaving for LA tomorrow morning. Everything is packed as of 2 minutes ago. However, one bag weighs exactly 50 lbs and any slight shift in the universe could put me over my weight limit causing me mental breakdown, additional fees, or potentially just having to actually throw away stuff.

Regardless, it's almost 2 am... by tomorrow at 6 pm eastern time I will be in LA. By 8:30 East. time on Tuesday I will be boarding a direct flight to fiji. Hyped on red bull I will attempt to stay up until the appropriate Fijian bedtime and then take Melatonin to help the sleep process along and hopefully begin the switch to being 16 hours ahead of FL time. That's the plan anyway.

Also, Marissa is an angel...a packing angel...she basically packed my bags while I stood beside her having a mental breakdown. SOOOO...I will leave you with my address for the next ten weeks of training:

Katie Coyne, PCT
Peace Corps/Fiji
Private Mail Bag
Suva, Fiji Islands
South Pacific

And just because I love you....I will also leave you with a priceless blackmail photo..


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Two weeks out...Freaking out...

So I am officially a day less than two weeks from leaving for LA and then Fiji. Unless I have forgotten something (which is completely possible), I believe I have bought, found, or ordered everything I am assuming I will need over the next two years. This just so happens to include three skirts!!! Yes skirts...

I know that just picturing me in skirts is difficult to do and I also know that some family members might be willing to pay a pretty penny to see me wear one (either for shock value, humor, or just excitement that I'm in clothing that I actually bought on the women's side of the store). AND...I am apparently going to have to wear one for the majority of the 2 years I'm gone. Strategy number 1: do as many athletic activities and as much field work as is humanly possible so I can get away with wearing shorts.

Marissa just graduated this weekend and now we are in Atlanta for a job interview she just had this morning. We have been running around like crazy between her life changes and my impending departure. Tomorrow we drive to Jacksonville to catch a plane to Alexandria, VA to see my brothers, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece!! I can't wait!

ANYWAY...I'm really looking forward to keeping anyone and everyone who's willing updated on my adventures in Fiji. So, thanks and bear with me while I begin this blog in.....boring America...I'm sure stories and photos will get significantly more interesting after May 17!!! Pictures to follow soon!