Things to know

Hello Everybody......

On Sunday, July 18th, 2010, I will get on a plane and head to Washington DC, where I will officially begin my Peace Corps service. I am just really glad that it's in DC, so I can see my fiance one more time before I go. I will then get on a plane bound for Jo'burg at 5:30pm on Tuesday, July 20 and make my way to Madagascar. My plane makes a pit stop in Dakar before I get to Jo'burg, where I will change planes and head to Madagascar. I am not anticipating getting to MAD, my new shorthand for Madagascar cause lets be honest, its a really long word, till Thursday night. Very, very long flight. I need to get some sleep aids. I have so much to do till then. I just finished cleaning out my e-mail accounts, typing up all my reciepts for my taxes, filling out forms for the Peace Corps etc. Tomorrow, I need to pack. I need to figure out what I'm taking then pack. and do laundry. the list never ends I feel like. Oh and talk with my dad about Power of Attorney, health care directives and all the other legal documents that make my head spin. I have a lot of stuff to cover on this post though, so time to move on to more important things.

I just got back from a 3 week vaca to my future home on the East Coast to see my fiance. We had crabs 3 times (YES!!! Thank you baby!) and boy oh boy do I love crab, drenched in butter with a hint of Old Bay (for those of you like me 7 months ago that have no idea what Old Bay is, its a seasoning. its like Johnny's). We also went to Ocean City for a 6 days, which was amazing. Played acarade games, mini golf, tanned and burned, mostly burned the first day but I stopped burning by the 4th day, ate lots of food both in and out, and played in the waves. The best part was my fiance's children came with us, though I was not prepared for the sort of tantrums a 3 year old throws. Lets just say you should never let them lose at Candyland. or not have Key Lime Pie yogurt readily available. or not letting them go first at mini golf. Ahhhhh memories. hehehehe. Balitmore and Ocean City was so much fun. I can't wait to go back to the beach and the city. Though by the time I get back, my fiance won't be living in Balitmore anymore. sadness. It was a great 3 weeks and I just wish I could re-live them again.

A couple of admin things before I continue.
1) I have to mention that the contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.
2) I am an ok typer but I don't always look back at what I write to see if there are any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. so please forgive me and my errors. I just get going to fast. hopefully you will be able to decipher what I wrote!
3) I will be able to get mail while I am at training so please send me some! I want updates on everybody's lives, from the mundune to engagements. I mean it too! I want to stay in contact and connected with everybody. it takes 2-3 weeks to get mail to me, so plan accordingly. please make sure to number your letters and include "Airmail" or "Par Avion" on the envelope. I will also gladly accept packages if you want to send them.....,.. my address for training will be

Megan Van Aelstyn, PCT Peace Corps
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 12091
Post Zoom Ankorondrano
101 Antananarivo
Madagascar

4) letters are the best bet, cause I have no idea what my internet will be like. I will update this as much as possible. Please feel free to e-mail me though. I am not sure about my phone service, but it would be really expensive so probably not an option. my e-mail in madagascar will be pcvmeganvmg@yahoo.com, so send it to this e-mail address.
5) If you have an emergency and need to get a hold of me, you can contact Brian (my fiance) or John (my dad). they will know the best ways to get ahold of me. Brian's email is bburden1721@hotmail.com and my dads is jlv333@gmail.com . yay!!!!

I guess thats all I have for now. I will add more as I think of it and I will have a final USA post before I leave. I won't be able to post on this for at least a week after I leave (so a week from Tuesday July 20) but I will try and post as soon as I can. See everyone on this thing later!