"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure!"

Lots of apologies to all my adoring fans (all two of you - you know who you are!) for the second LONG intermission between activity here on the Shublog. As previously mentioned, my life sort of stopped being interesting for a while, and therefore stopped being blog-worthy. During that interlude I spent nine months on a non-profit organic farm in Massachusetts, three months back in Kenya working at a spectacular eco-friendly hostel and backpackers in Kilifi, and then finally came back to Maryland for another few months and worked at the front desk at a doctor's office. And with those things in mind, I'd like to give a few shout-outs before I move on to my current situasche:

Shout-out #1: That farm in Massachusetts belonged to Heifer International and the time I spent there was unforgettable. The incredible people I met and the things I learned will remain with me for a long long time. Heifer is a great cause and next birthday/Christmas/holiday think about getting someone a goat instead of an iPad :)

Shout-out #2: That hostel in Kilifi was called Distant Relatives Eco-Lodge & Backpackers and, like those in Shout-out #1, the people I met and things I learned were unparalleled in every way. If you ever find yourself on the East African Coast and need a place to stay, this is the place. Go here: http://kilifibackpackers.com/ for more info.

Shout-out #3: That doctor's office in Maryland where I spent many-a-day laughing my butt off with the girls up front is the office my mom use to practice in, owned by Dr. Mays. This shout-out is dedicated to him and his extraordinary family. Thank you Mays Fam, for housing and feeding me, and for giving me a job, company, love, and support - all right when I needed it the most. Love and miss you all so much!

So here's what is the haps now: I leave tomorrow for this country:

"What country do these beautiful colors represent?" you ask? Why, that is the splendid West African paradise of Sierra Leone. I will be going there with an organization called Sound Seekers, who's goal is to improve the lives of deaf and heard-of-hearing people, namely children, in the developing world. Visit their website here if you want more info about what they do and all their projects.

I will be based in the capitol of Freetown, where I will be teaching/working/doing deaf kid things at the National School for the Deaf there. Apparently the school needs a little bit of help and I'm hoping that I can deliver. I will also be doing a little work in another town called Makeni, which is inland a certain number of hours. Makeni is home to St. Joseph's School for the Hearing Impaired, where I will also be helping out where I can. 

As with Peace Corps I believe a lot of this job will entail figuring things out when I get there. I will be meeting the Sound Seekers Program Manager, Emily in country, and she will have the exciting task of showing me around and introducing me to everyone! As Bilbo so aptly remarks before he leaves Middle Earth, I think I AM ready for another adventure!

The next big thing on the horizon, after West Africa, that is, is GRAD SCHOOL. I've been accepted to a few places with some pretty remarkable programs and am doing my best to pro/con/future-plan my way forward. As per usual, I need lots of help and TONS of people to talk through everything with, but it's definitely looking more and more like I'll have a concrete future relatively soon. Thanks to all the people who helped me with the application process: coached me through essays, wrote me a reference, put me up and fed me in Nairobi the night before the GREs, picked me up from the bus in Kilifi the morning after the GREs, everything. Thanks thanks thanks. Asante sana :) You guys rock. 

Not much else to report! Hope all is well with everyone - wherever you are in whatever corner of the world. I will try to keep the blog as updated as possible during my time in Sierra Leone, so be sure to be on standby. 

Loads of love,

~ Shub :)

PS - Puns are super easy with Kenya: KenyaBelieveIt, KenyaDigIt, KenyaHearMeNow; but what do I do with Sierra Leone? All I can think of is Sarah Leone. Thoughts?