Over the next week and a half...

 I'll be driving across *almost* the entire continental USA -  - 

Idaho to Connecticut via... Arizona.

Tomorrow = Arizona to see Grandma and Da for a couple of days

Saturday, I pick up Eben in Albuquerque!

Eben's job is to keep me laughing through New Mexico, Texas (the way north part - no Houston this time :(  and Oklahoma..

Then we're on to check out the state of Arkansas (a new one for me!)

Next we play for a day or so in Nashville and drop Ebs off.

Then on to Knoxville for some Mollie lovin!

Next is DC for a hug from Vic (and maybe kidnap him to come drive the rest of the way!)

Then New Haven and New HOME here I come!

I'm excited.

we'll see how I feel on the flip side ;)

The Haywagn is loaded (thanks to some magic loading by Dad and some vacuum packing by Mom)..

Snacks are within arms reach..

Play lists and Spanish podcasts are downloaded..

The body-falling-apart and lost-ipod crises have been averted..

Ready, set, new life adventure ---- GO!

:)

Weekend in New York City

A couple of weeks ago, I made a trip to Connecticut and New York for a job interview (that had a very happy ending!!)  After all my interview business was done, I got to explore the city a little and play.  It had been quite a while since I have traveled alone, and I forgot what an adventure it is to figure out a new place all on your own.. I got to learn to navigate the subway system, orient myself (a big feat for someone with serious directional dysfunction), choose where to explore, read my book in all sorts of fabulous cafe's, and soak it all in - all in pouring rain.

I loved it.

Here I am in Central Park, moments before I burst into (happy) tears in the midst of a 

"whoa I am extra-incredibly blessed" moment.

 Beautiful, colorful bark.

 Magical

 Statue on the corner of Central Park.

 Times Square

Times Square Self-Portrait :)

It poured rain, so I cafe hopped and ate my way up Broadway....

A beautiful, wonderful weekend.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am officially employed!

On Monday, I accepted a job with the  

Global Partnership Initiative

for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps!

The Hole in the Wall Camps are camps for children with serious and life-threatening medical conditions.  The organization was founded by Paul Newman, and the camps have been running in the USA and Europe for several years.  In the last few years, they have incorporated a more global vision.  The program I will be working for, the Global Partnership Initiative, has branched out to developing countries, partnering with local and international organizations to create sustainable programs in Africa and Asia that educate, motivate and empower children living with HIV/AIDS, as well as other life-threatening illnesses. 

This year, they are starting the first programs in Latin America... 
and that's where I come in!

My first programs will be in the  
Dominican Republic 
and Paraguay.

I will be based in New Haven, Connecticut,
but traveling.. a lot.

And I am so, so excited.

It took 7 months of job hunting to get to this point - and I was fortunate to end up with 4 AMAZING job offers, two of which I very seriously agonized and debated between.  However, after a lot of thought, prayer and analysis, this one was the clear winner.  

It combines my passions for 

teaching and training, 

working with both kids and adults, 

international development,

 capacity building and sustainability, 

working toward something POSITIVE,
 and of course.. Latin America.  

 Amazing.

Thank you thank you thank you to all of you for all of your love, encouragement, recommendations, floors to sleep on, and support - there were some big highs and lows during the last seven months (remember this?!?) and I don't know what I would have done without the ridiculously amazing support system that I have.

A special thank you to my parents, who took me in without any hesitation right when I dragged back in from Africa last fall.  You gave me the foundation and security to search for something that I was passionate about, rather than having to rush into something. You were unconditionally supportive, and I'll never be able to thank you enough.

Needless to say, I am celebrating both this fabulous new beginning and counting my amazing stock of blessings tonight.

Thank you for being part of this new chapter!!!
And know that each and every one of you now have a home in New Haven, or wherever else this journey leads!!

All my love,
Haley

Easter Tradition

My family has a wonderful Easter tradition of all gathering at my aunt's house in Idaho.

We eat, we play, we hunt Easter eggs (if we wake up early enough), we snuggle - - 

and we make sequin eggs.

 Sequin egg =

  

Here is my egg this year!

Happy Easter!

  

Our family - -missing grandma and da..