Tuesday, January 6, 2009

My Master Plan

Hey all,

I'm going to give the whole blog thing a go since I figured it would be the easiest way to keep in touch with everyone since I'll probably only be able to get on the internet a few times a month if that. I'm writing this from my friends house in South Africa, getting ready to head over to Kruger National park to start on my project tomorrow morning. And ofcourse, what would the fun be if I didn't wait until the last few hours before I left to create my blog and make my first post? Anyways for those who don't know, a quick blurb on my year off so far goes as follows:

I left Falls Church mid September to live with my brother and a handful of room mates in Ohio. Our house was just north of Ohio State's campus and I really enjoyed myself there.

Aside from doing college apps, I worked at Jimmy Guaco's which is pretty much a Mexican blend of Subway and Chipotle. I was promoted to shift manager after working there for a month or so (I'm willing to bet it's because of my heavy Mexican heritage...). Aside from working there, I volunteered for the Obama campaign and the Powervote movement.

On January 2nd, I left for South Africa after a brutal travel schedule (44 hours of straight travel!) but from what I see so far of SA it was well worth. Tomorrow I will start volunteering at a baboon sanctuary in until early March.

Afterwards, I plan on going to the Shimoni Archipelago of Kenya to teach teach until mid May.

When all is said and done in Africa, I'm going to visit my friend Andrew who lives in Abu Dhabi. It's going to a huge shock going from one of the poorest parts of the world to one of the richest that's for sure. We're going to be in AD for a week or so and then travel to Europe for a bit with him and then I'll finally make my way home in early June.

I'm not sure exactly how the blog will turn out, but I'll do my best to update it when I can. Thanks for taking a look and feel free to subscribe if you feel so inclined, or to add it to your favorites etc. I'm working on a catchy 'sign off phrase', but for now I'll just have to settle with

-Ewan

PS: if my writing is riddled with typo's and grammar mistakes, I apologize in advance. These computers don't have spell checker!

4 comments:

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  2. Hey Ewan! I'm so glad you are able to take some time and see the world! I'm very proud of you for all the work you are putting forth and the support you will be giving others!
    Thanks for not blaming me for the "typos" and "grammatical" errors you may have in your posts!
    Cheers!

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  3. Hi Ewan. This sounds like an amazing adventure, and I am sure you will make the most of it. Staying on an island in the Indian Ocean sounds fantastic! Have a great trip. If you every get up to Uganda give Chris a text on +256 755 130 902. He is in a village not so far from Jinja. Richard N

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  4. Hi Evan-
    i really love reading about your adventures; it's an amazing story. you should send on a piece to the News Press - Nick Benton would love it. i too am teaching english to an adult student, a 47- y.o. Vietnamese woman. but we meet in the Glen Carlyn library in Arlington, so not quite the adventure that you are having, but satisying nonetheless.
    be safe and good luck in Kenya.
    Susan

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