Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Willmar

... humid Minnesota, across Wisconsin (stopping to get gas from an adorable gas station owner with the cutest accent; we wanted to stay longer just to hear him talk, but he's a busy guy), and into the U.P. (Michigan's Upper Peninsula).  Around dusk we found a state park on Lake Beaufort in which to camp and upon opening the car door, we were promptly swarmed by mosquitos.  In the 10-15 minutes it took us to fill out the payment slip, set up the tent, and get our ...

Well the time has flown by and it's finally time to go! I fly out for orientation on Sunday then on Tuesday we fly out for TZ! I hope that I have everything packed, but I based packing off of another girl who was in TZ not long ago. Definitely helpful! I've been progressing in my Swahili lessons, however, it's going to take quite a bit of time really be functional at this language. I hope that everyone is well~! I'll miss you all! Peace (salaam)

Hopefully this will be a great way to keep everyone updated as to what's going on with this crazy, amazing adventure. I just received my PC country placement last week, and the verdict is...I'll be teaching Physics in Tanzania!! I will be leaving ...

... tube) This felt like a serious week of holiday and catching up with friends. We are excited to have the chance that they will all come to Auckland soon to visit with us. It wasn't until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon that we managed to drag them away. We had a great nights sleep in the city, they live in a beautiful leafy suburb in Minneapolis, it was a great way to start our next big drive the following morning for Chicago.

... ago, but I kind of remember there being red Kool-Aid in some of the pistols. I think that might have been Tim and I. I'm not sure any more. Around 7:30 we headed over to the Carl's farm for the Independence Day celebration. There was fabulous roasted hot dogs, baked beans, lots of dips, beer bread, and wonderful watermelon. Other goodies too. Once dusk set in, the real fun began. It started out with some ...

... for that. Afterwards, we caught up on each others lives and then went out to meet with an old friend of Nate’s from 17 years ago. Unbelievable, how they even remembered each other let alone decide to meet up and hang out. Maybe its Midwest hospitality but we got there and he was so excited (and had a wicked MN accent, which I guess I would have contracted if we never left the Midwest ...