Well my corners were tight and my stops on target so I can officially, legally, ride motorbikes on Victoria's roads. Complete madness. Fortunately for Melbourne drivers I don't have a vehicle to embark on such a venture. Watch out Kisumu.

I spent today learning to ride a motorbike. Number of crashes =1, number of crashes with engine turned on =0. The instructors were skeptical about my abilities. Every time I didn't completely cock the task up they over zealously congratulated me and themselves. But my skinned knee and palm (because of course my gloves were in my pocket) make me feel a little bit tougher than perhaps I should.

Tomorrow I attempt to get my learner's permit. I suspect if I can just remember which lane it is that I am meant to be driving in, I should do fine. My typical driving mantra "I am in the middle of the road" doesn't work so well on a bike.

The whole family is about to convene in Melbourne. Dad is currently here and thinks learning to ride a motor bike is much more reasonable than moving to Kenya. Mum is firmly holding onto 'riding a motorbike is only okay because I will be doing so in Kenya' and Thomas doesn't give a shit about any of the above. As Jamie says.. there are many different ways of showing love...

Oooh. reading "Fear of Flying" and while is was written well before I was born I am enjoying it immensely. More later.

I got my flight itinerary today. My first reaction was to burst into tears. Is that bad? I am resisting the urge to leave the office and sob.

Dude. Fun christmas party.. (my Kenya fundraiser) Saturday night. The photos are few and ridiculous.. why is it, no one thinks to take photos until the night has pretty much degenerated? I am going to attempt to upload a little video footage!

No.. i lack the technological talent.

I'll upload my pics on flicker instead.. though who ever took them was clearly smitten with only Sam, Dave and John.

For those of you kind enough to make donations.. my VSO cards arrived just in the nick of time for thank you notes. And they are rather lovely.

I was looking through Cam and Ian's photos this afternoon and found this picture. I suspect this to be representative of my future ride. Well isn't my diamante studded jacket going to look out of place?

Okay. It was time for a picture change. I took me out of my bikini. Although I hope to spend as much time as possible in a bikini on the east coast.. aaahh Indian ocean.. it had to go. Having met Julie Powell and having found her as wonderful as her book.. I am a little sad that the copy of Julie and Julia isn't in the new image.. maybe in a future one? I am sure I am giving this far too much thought.

So.. I logged on to say.. check out http://melinza.blogspot.com - very fun girl.. also with VSO.. who may also ride a motor bike.. but in Zambia. Speaking of which my lessons are scheduled. Christmas eve.. I will be learning to ride. And allow me a small anecdote. A small trip down memory lane. One Christmas eve when we lived in Vermont South, I chose to ride my bicycle down a hill near our house as fast as I possibly could. I think this is something we did often, but on this particular night it ended with a face slide down the footpath and I basically took off one cheek. This makes me apprehensive .. a coincedence? or a warning? I will keep my face guard down. Mum kindly booked my lessons early enough so I can retake them if I fail. Ahh the confidence in my riding abilities.

6 weeks to go. Still no ticket. I saw the Iowa girls for the last time in a long time. The number of clothes in my closet is dwindling (They have been disributed far and wide). But recent reads:
- Serious Concerns by Wendy Cope (thanks Liz)
- Late Wife by Claudia Emerson (also poetry but much more sombre..)and,
- now.. well I can't really say because it's someone's Christmas gift. Ha! I bought it.. and then there were train delays. I am just sampling it. I'll let you know if it's any good.

Going to Kenya is beginning to feel very very real. the last training in Ottawa is done, and while it was long and sometimes ridiculous I think I learned a lot... and it will serve me well on the ground.. floating about East Africa. Honed in on my negotiating skills, team building (trying not to be such a bossy pants).. practiced the "feedback sandwich" bet you want to know all about that. Discovered that my default conflict management style is one of avoidance! Of course.. it was also lovely to see all the other volunteers.. attend Brian's 'farewell, here I come Zambia' dance party.. and become the VSO dance dance revolution queen (certificate and all - thanks Amanda).

In the vein of getting ready I bought my head lamp today.. Tamara (as seen below) never stopped talking about the wonders of hers. Ideal for hands free potty trips at night.. and of course "all the cool kids have them." I also bought Chaco's and so now I feel I might have a little bit of an in with any Peace Corps volunteers I run into.

and I'm finally getting around to 9th annual christmas party invites.. and it will be a fundraiser (after much thought). But here's some other cool things..

- I am going to be speaking with a girl scout troop about going to Africa on December 9th.
- the letter to the editor in this last American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) leader generated lots of emails about volunteering at St. Joseph's and possibly in Kenya
- I went to book club and a girl started telling me all about this cool article she had saved.. and it was the one I wrote (yay ra)
- A group in Highland Park are putting me on their permanent prayer list. Can't beat that. Between mum's circle of light and Chicago based church organization I could become an divine energy force field

Right. And.. I am reading "Eleven Minutes" by Paulo Coelho..

So as it is Thanksgiving.. I am just going to say I am incredibly thankful for so many people right now.. and the oodles of support I have from everyone in my life.. even my father who thinks I am bloody crazy.

Oh.. and I am currently reading "My Life in France" by Julia Child.. in preparation for the lunch meeting with Julie Powell of "Julie and Julia" in November. Next at the plate is "Dancing with Elephants" or some such thing.. a book club book.. by Tess someone. I have a stack of great books right now. Many I have boxed up so Bev can send them to me in Kenya. But recent great reads... "Sweetness in the Belly" by Camille Gibbs. Fabulous. And refreshingly different. Set mostly in Ethiopia. I would highly recommend it.

This week my Kenya position was made officially offical. I am moving to Kisumu. Isn't that strange how I was placed there.. and that was the last place I visited and really only because Sofia and Tamara talked me into it (and I couldn't get a flight to Lamu). Well hurrah for knowing and having a departure date.. I was beginning to have my doubts about it.. and really the whole thing (but not for long).

And in celebration of the affirmation I am moving to Belden/Sheffied - thank you Bonnie - so that I have my own room and can actually hang my clothes for the last 2 months in Chicago. Not that I will be there all that much with the work travel, but I am beginning to be concerned about the dents in Sam's carpet caused by overuse of the sofa bed. That is me sleeping on it every night. Even when I fold it away during the day.. there they are in the evening.. indentations from the pull-out.

So. Now I really need to think about all the things I must do before departure:
- motor cycle classes
- buy a helmet
- contact returned volunteers
- get a new bank account because TCF officially suck
- write up my "language and HIV paper" with Kay
- write my young child article from my last trip to Kenya
- eat sushi and salad voraciously
- get two more rabies shots
- sell my car
- 2 more doctors appointments
- get a police check

the list is fairly endless. Although I have done some of the more horrific chores like go to the dentist.

I can't even manage to get my head around all the Leap stuff that I need to do for work, though Katie doesn't consider this move a departure. No she considers that Leap is going to Kenya. And promises to work on material grants. Fabulous.

I am actually currently in Roseville, CA and can't hear anything because I have a cold/sinus issues and my ears are completely blocked. I spent a good 90% of the 4 hour flight conked out and drooling on myself as I am apt to do. I am spending two days observing a stellar preschool program and then attending a conference run by Bev Bos (www.turnthepage.com). I saw her once in Oak Park and she was incredibly inspiring.. and uses the word 'authentic' a lot. But really does amazing work in her program.

Anyway. Maybe I have time for one movie before bed.. What will it be 'The Devil Wears Prada' or something equally awful and girlie?

What a crazy few weeks its been .. while I am not about to start writing regularly again.. yet.. I will be using this blog site in 2007 when I MOVE TO KENYA!!!!! Hurrah hurrah. Yippee skippy. I am excited beyond belief. Though sad about the things I will leave behind and the choices I have made.

But.. I am going through Volunteer Service Overseas www.vsocanada.org for 2 whole marvellous dusty years. And the Kenya thing is fairly official.

So. I will be writing in the future! b