Contact lenses vs. glasses and mid post surprise!

So, I know the Peace Corps does not supply contact lenses, but since I know where I am going now, I'm most likely going to be wearing contacts 80% of the time. I will definitely bring my 2 pairs of glasses, but contacts makes wearing sunglasses in an extremely sunny climate a whole lot easier and far less expensive. Some amazing news I found out, is that:

1) 1-800-Contacts, where I get my contacts anyway, ships to Belize!!! International standard shipping takes between 8-12 business days for delivery and costs $19.99. International express shipping takes 4 to 7 business days for delivery, and costs $35.99. Of course, customs delays are not reflected in those time frames, but still, super cool.

2) When I asked how to confirm the prescription, I was told I could fax or scan it in, but also, direct quote here, "If your order is shipping outside of the United States we aren't required to verify your prescription before your order is shipped. You can simply update your prescription information on out website and complete your order." Now I know contact lens solution is way different down in Belize, so that I'll bring a ton of and have some shipped from family members as well.

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I just had to go get the door, the UPS guy was here. I wasn't sure if it was something from PC< but it was BETTER! One of my friends in NY, who I miss dearly sent me roses!!!

And it only took a mere 2 minutes for Baby BAMF to get her part of the present...

All these things make my day :-)

I hope everyones Friday is as awesome as mine is thus far.

My Belize themed Valentines

At work my boss had us all make Valentines mailboxes like we did when we were in 2nd grade. My Peace Corps adventure is no secret there (not anymore) so I made mine Belize themed and stuck in some hearts for good measure. Here are the pictures.

Titles, changes now and in 42 days

So much has happened since I got my big blue packet! I'm super excited. I leave for Belize in 42 days!!

I'm planning on doing a lot more packing this weekend. I'm going to go talk to some ld bosses at Best buy and discuss stealing boxes from their shipments. I think working there for over 2 years means they'll give me a few boxes :-) The hardest part of the whole packing thing thus far is turning out to be selling my car, though if all else fails, at least I can still go get ripped off by the dealership. Anyone need a 2006 VW Jetta?

I've been finding myself daydreaming of Belize a lot. Staging info should be coming soon too. I know staging is in Dallas, Texas. I have to fill out some new forms and answer some new questions about my program for the Belize office. I have to do that ASAP too. I'm also not quite sure if I should sell my living room furniture either.

I re-hired my boxing instructor Juan to help me find ways to do work-out circuits without using any machines. I think I'll be able to handle cardio no matter where I end up in country, but everything else is questionable. I'm going to bring some resistance bands in my suitcase, but still, it'll be nice to have some circuits memorized a la Juan. He never fails to make me sweat. Maybe I'll just shadow box some trees and walls. I missed going to the gym a lot and I'm glad I'm going to have a lot more time for it once work ends in a few weeks.

I also learned that Storage Units are REALLY expensive. More of a reason to sell as much of my stuff as possible. I'm definitely working on it.

So my blog title isn't really applicable anymore, because I know where I'm going. I really like Belize it or Not, but I've seen that somewhere. My friend John recommended Beauty IN Belize, but I'd prefer the word AND in place of IN. I just hope it doesn't come off as cocky because it most certainly not meant to. It's meant to reflect the beauty of the wonderful country that I am moving to. We'll see.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm going to make some Valentines for my co-workers and start answering my PC questions. Ciao!

A 5 year boy's take on Valentines Day

This is a brief conversation that took place with my 5 year old nephew Tommy today.

Me: Hi Tommy.
T: Hi Aunt Stephanie.
Me: How are you?
T: Good (pronounced dood).
Me: So who is your Valentine this year?
T: I don't know.
Me: What do you mean you don't know? A handsome dude like you has to have a Valentine.
T: Uh uh (No sound).
Me: How about your Mom or your sister?
T: I don't want to pick anybody.
Me: Why not?
T: Maybe my Mom and my Dad.
Me: And not your sister?
T: No.
Me. Why not?
T: Just because. I gotta' go watch TV. Do you want to talk to my Mom or my sister?
Me: Sure. Put your Dad on the phone.

He then proceeded to put my niece Emma back on the phone.

I just thought it was adorable and funny.

Hopefully you did too.

So my sister Peggy made it out to visit today. That was nice seeing her and meeting her nice friend and her friends daughter. We went out to lunch and then we went to TJ Maxx. The they had to head back up to her friends house. My mom sent a ton of stuff from NY (BUT NO BAGELS OF COURSE!!!! GAH!!) out to my house. I'm going to spend the rest of the night sorting through it and trying to at least put a dent in it. So we'll see what happens.

I'm also going to try to write my aspiration statement tonight and at very least do my resume. I'm not a big super bowl fan, I only care about the commercials.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Uplifting words and excitement

“Overcome that notion that you must be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary." - Uta Hagen

Honestly after the past day or two, I really needed to hear that.

The most common objection I hear from people who don't support my PC endeavors is along the lines of "Why can't you be normal?" or "It's it time where you should be seriously looking for a husband?". And any time I even have the inkling of a doubt, the most brilliant quotes end up in my lap and that inkling gets sent to the depths of hell where it came from.

Today I happened to wander in to a Barnes and Nobles. Let me just say, once I found the travel section, I didn't leave for quite some time. I had a stack of books on Belize next to me and I was reading all of them. I'm soooo EXCITED!!! I even started a count down in my day planner. If staging (March 23rd) is Day 1 - I've got 47 days left.

Though I must admit, the picture of the Red Rump Tarantula - was less than pleasing. I'm definitely going to have nightmares.

Also, one of my alma maters - THE Ohio State University - is throwing a party for The Peace Corps 50th anniversary and I'm invited!!! President Gee will be there and lots of speakers, RPCV and OSU Alumni and Invitees. I won't be working at that time, so I'm really happy to be going to that event. It should be really nice.

Anyway, that's all for now. I think I'm going to run to Target before they close tonight and get some things to bring with me. I have 2 gift cards so some journals and a water bottle or two can be purchased with that.

Until next time. Same Bat Time. Same Bat Channel.

Quick updates

Now that I'm feeling better (mini-stomach flu yesterday), I'm planning to do a lot with my 3 day weekend (using a vacation day I had saved).

Today, I have to find a way to de-ice my car from the storm that's hit the past 2 days. I'm also going to pay my rent (finally - I have an awesome landlord that gives us grace time during ice storms) and go the Post Office for the passport photos I need for my special passport.

Tomorrow I'm getting new oil for my car and they're fixing my broken headlight as well. Then it's cleaning all day and sitting down to re-format my resume and write my aspiration statement. Hopefully Belize will like me as much as I like them.

Saturday is my typical weekly guitar lesson, but then, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, a member of my family who is in Ohio is coming to see me. This has NEVER happened in the 3 1/2 years I've been here. She is coming to see me, but the point is she's coming, dropping stuff off and we're getting lunch together.

That's all for now, maybe I'll update tomorrow. We'll see. I definitely need to find a way to Belize out my blog though :-)

Cheap Passport/Visa photos - required for PC

Just found out CVS will only charge you $7.99 for your 2 photos with the coupon I'm linking below.

http://www.cvsphoto.com/passport-photos?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=PhotoPS_NonBrand_iCrossing

I found this on the internet when I googled where I can get passport photos. Thought I would share with everyone.

It's legit. I don't spam, but I'm sure you know this by now.

Just print it right of the site.

More updates later. For now, that's all.