This week, not surprisingly, went by sooo so fast! I can't believe I only have 4 more weeks of clasees and 5 1/2  until I'm roadtripping back home to Arcade. This week's electronics lab was a little frustrating but really awesome when Yoni and I got our EKG circuit working with LED light in all. I'm getting more and more excited about repairing equipment over in Tanzania. I had a really great weekend (minus that this is the 5th hour I've been at the library!). I got to go volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house on Canal for the first time where we made breakfast for dinner (brinner) for the residents- I had never been to one so I hope to make more visits, it's a really great organization. New Orleans weather proved to be wonderful and sunny again for some extra tennis time with A's and Aces at a health/sports day at Dillard University. But, my favorite part of the weekend was by far taking a trip to Preservation Hall and the Palm Court with a group from my dorm. I had never heard of either before but with the help of a Wall faculty fellow, Tom Sancton and professor in resident, Paul Colombo, we were able to get a tour of the hall and front row seats! After a great performance of traditional New Orleans Jazz we headed to the Palm Court. There I met one of my new heros : Lionel Ferbos. This fine man in my last two pictures is 99 years old and still kicking it with the Palm Court Band on Saturday nights. Have you ever seen a guy sing, put his oxygen tank back on and continue to play the trumpet?!? I certainly hadn't and standing there listening gave me the shivers- how amazing would it be to be doing the one thing you love most at the age of 99? The passion he has for Jazz is inspiring and I hope to fall into something I love just as much. So anyways, I am finally sending out fundraising business letters this week and if anyone has any suggestions for potential sponsors let me know! I have less than a month to raise  just under $3000 and I'll be updating what I've raised so far on here by the middle of the week!

This week certainly flew by fast, especially having an electronics exam on Friday. I hope everyone's St. Patrick's Day went well! I celebrated with some Drag Queen Bingo and a trip to Children's Hospital to make themed arts and crafts, super fun! I also got to have lunch with a past participant from the EWH program, Bob, which was really helpful. I now know a little bit  about what to expect and it made me even more excited for the summer (which I didn't think was possible!). He is also letting me borrow three books about Tanzania/Swahili so I'm glad I have lots to read and practice before leaving. I found out yesterday that I will be getting the $1000 grant I was awarded either this week or next week so I can finally book my flight by the end of March (hopefully). I need about $300 more to be able to purchase it so I'm hoping to find some extra support by then! I have received $110 worth of donations so far through this site and can't wait to see if I find more success (even a $5 or $10 donation counts and is greatly appreciated!!) . Well that is about it on updates for my trip- I've posted some pictures from the weekend- St. Patty's Day celebrations, spring weather pictures around campus, and my favorite place to relax in NOLA -Audubon Park :D

It is only suitable to start my blog at the official beginning of my countdown to departure! Today was my first day back at Tulane after a much needed spring break and reality has hit with how much work I need to do over the next two months. I was super excited to receive the beginners Swahili coursebook I ordered to get a head start on at least knowing some of the basics for when I arrive. It is crazy to think that I have only 6 weeks left of school... I will be in Tanzania in no time! I am excited to officially post my blog for everyone to see tomorrow and I hope that I'll see some success with fundraising soon. I'm going to call Arcade Travel by the end of the week to start booking my flight which will make my trip officially set in. I can't believe it's almost been a year since Kenya. SO EXCITED!!!!!