yay for Friday!

Just secured my seat to volunteer abroad with Cross Cultural Solutions in Tanzania. My sponsors so far have been amazing, and I am so grateful for your help with this. If you'd still like to donate, I'll be hosting an additional fundraiser next month so that I can extend my trip to teach conversational english and care for orphaned infants and young children diagnosed and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Pieces of Me... February 2010

I like...
... laughing so hard it hurts.

... my super-spontaneous-self.

... Corrine Bailey-Rae's newest album.

... emailing with Desi & Krissa nearly every day.

I don't like...
... that I feel like I have so much to do, and none of it is getting done.

... that I had to cancel coffee with a friend who needs someone to talk to.

... people that just don't get it and make the same mistakes time & again.

I want you to know...
... that my program fee due date is February 20th and if you would like to donate, blog about it, or ask a friend to donate, I'll be forever indebted.

 

I've planned...
... and been disappointed.

... to make fancy cupcakes for Jackie's birthday soiree. (so excited)

... to be my own valentine this year and am so excited for my gift.

I want to say to someone special... (two someone's)

... you are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for.  keep your chin up and know that my door is always open.

"What lies behind us & what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."

... you made me smile & laugh for hours.  I loved every minute.

20% of my program fee!

Thank you so much to everyone who chose sponsorship* over tangible gifts for Christmas presents this year!

 We are now at 20% of the program fee needed for my trip!  Now only 80% to go.  I have until January 16th to raise the remaining 80% of the program fee and I need help.  This fee covers my pre-departure support, in-country orientation, cultural activities, lodging at a CCS Home-Base in a safe, residential community, all meals and bottled water, local transportation, health insurance while in country, evacuation costs (if needed) and so much more. With CCS, I will also meet local experts in the community and will be working alongside volunteers from all over the world.

I will be volunteering for twelve weeks teaching conversational english to school age children; meeting with a local women's group to discuss and encourage entreprenuership and caring for orphaned infants and children diagnosed with HIV and AIDS.

Will you please help me on this journey by becoming my sponsor?  I'll be gaining new perspectives on the issues facing this country and community, and I pledge to share my experiences with you along the way and upon my return.  Please follow along with me on my journey by following along with my blog.

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates volunteer programs in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, in partnership with sustainable community initiatives. Founded in 1995, its mission is to bring people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. Each year, over 4,000 people volunteer abroad with CCS.

Your contribution is 100% tax-deductible and you can contribute by credit card and track my progress on my sponsor page online (just enter my last name - Pfeffer).  I really need your support and I appreciate any contribution you can make to help me by January 16, 2010.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or call Cross-Cultural Solutions at 1-800-380-4777 or 1-914-632-0022.


*If you'd like to donate as a sponsor, you can use paypal or you can donate directly through cross-cultural solutions here.

christmas wish list

Dear Santa,

I've been super-sonic good this year and I thought you might like some guidelines for presents this year.

 I'll start with the....

Aviary DeskSet from Elum.

                  

           And a penpal or two.

Sponsorships for my trip to Kilimanjaro.  Donate as little as $1 and up to any amount that you want.. If you're feeling generous, or need a tax write-off, you can donate directly to the site or you can use PayPal at the bottom of the blog page.

 Either of these...

or any shoes as a matter of fact.  Really, though, I need a pair of trusty sandals for my time in Africa.  Also, probably a good pair of rain boots.  Any suggestions?

   

these sweet things to basically anywhere so I can get these...

A Very White Christmas in New York.

An apartment with an ocean view in San Diego.

And lastly, one of these...

Anything that you can't get this year, I'll understand.

This is pretty much an ongoing list for me.

Don't worry, it'll still be good next year.

XX,

Carrie