Wow, so the newbies are leaving today and tomorrow for staging, how exciting! I wish you all the best of luck! Seriously, its going to be an amazing experience, in any case. Even if you have a horrible time, its an experience. I had pretty much the worst experience one could have short of dying, and I can still think about it in positive ways. I even miss the 'desh at times. Just remember to laugh a lot, but never let your guard all the way down. Trust no one, not even in your host family. If you ever have any incidents--report them! And keep track of everything on your own--things you report, incidents, even illnesses. Don't trust the office to do it accurately.
Ok, enough of the serious stuff, just try to have some fun. You are going to meet some of the most amazing people in your group--you all have such interesting and varied backgrounds. Your training group becomes your family-be good to each other. And have fun w/the B7's, they are all really cool and will help you out a lot! Email or post anytime!

So I created this blog like over 2 months ago, and have yet to post for a 2nd time. Lovely. I've been slacking on my other blog too though. Not this bad, but still.
Anyway, the new B8 trainees leave in a week, less than a week actually. How crazy is that??? I remember how I felt this time last year. I was a wreck, trying to say all my goodbyes. I remember crying at the momest random times, and getting sad or upset over the silliest things (like not wearing my fav shorts for 2 yrs)! Plus trying to figure out what to pack, and then figure out how to jam it all in the alloted bags. Trust me, once you're on that 1st plane to staging though, a big relief is lifted--and it only gets better from there. Staging is a fun time to get to know each other. You do the silly ice breakers, fill out forms, watch some videos, but mostly, just learn more about each other. EAT LOTS OF YUMMY FOOD (esp dairy)! Have your drinks, wear your American clothes...enjoy every minute of it. Cause once you step off that plane in Dhaka...whoosh...you are in another universe! You will quickly realize what you are truly greatful for, as well as how much you can live without.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have, and basically just check back for more random bits of advice I'll be tossing out.