Wish list

You may have noticed that I recently added a "Wish List" to the right side of the page. If you hadn't, check it out. It's just below the photos. Go ahead, scroll around and find it. Got it? Good.

Now see anything there that you might have in a beat up cardboard box in the garage or lying around your apartment? Well let's find a better home for it! Keep reading...

It dawned on me the other day that I never posted some pretty important news. About a month ago, I applied for and received a six-month extension to continue working in my community. Officially, I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer until Adamoiselle's birthday, November 1. Man, even writing that date makes me wish I'd asked for a full year extension. I can't tell you how much I enjoy the work and the community in which I live. If you've walked the dusty roads of my community, or shared a Salva Cola with my neighbors, you understand.

Well since the extension will grant me a few more vacation days, 12 to be exact, I plan on cashing them in and returning to the states for the entire month of July. Chuck and Dana's wedding is just too big to miss and the ALS Ride, Steve, and Team America are calling me.

It should be ridiculous. After a full 22 months of being outside the states, I'm not sure how I'm going to react.

While I'm back, I'm looking forward to reconnecting with each of you, and will bring up the prepaid cell Sam got me back in September 2008 if you need to reach me. Lunches, dinners, camping trips, you name it. If all goes well, I'll even be back for the Fourth of July, which I haven't celebrated stateside in three years.

So, in the months leading up to July, please take an afternoon to rifle through your basements, garages, roommates' stuff, whatever and if you encounter anything you'd like to donate to my community members or the people of El Salvador, please contact me and we'll arrange a pick-up/drop-off. I plan on bringing a giant, empty backpack and won't leave until it's filled up.

One last thing. We're currently in the process of organizing a fundraising/awareness get-together in JP while I'm back. I'll also be accepting donations then, and will let you all know of the date and location once they're confirmed.

Many thanks in advance.