How have I not left yet?

Life has been fast and furious over the last few months, ever since I finished my second Americorps term with the incredible Washington Conservation Corps.  I've held 3 different (and totally unrelated) jobs since then, ran a windy marathon in Bellingham and another half marathon in Leavenworth, road-tripped by myself through a fall-colored Montana and Wyoming, celebrated the delicious holidays with my family, oh my god the list goes on forever.  I am very thankful for all of the precious memories I've made with friends and family during this time, and continue to have flashbacks of some of them that I didn't remember initially (saying goodbye and making great memories with me often involves a lot of booze).  You all have given me and my liver enough good times to last at least 2 years, thanks!  And yet, to tell you the truth, I've been waiting for over a year to leave this country!  As my departure day draws near I am getting seriously excited and impatient, and I can't wait to be on that plane (with a vodka-cran in hand. . . who said the party was ending?!)  

For those that haven't heard the details of my upcoming Peace Corps service, I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to see you before leaving!  I will be serving in Madagascar for 27 months starting on March 1st.  My position is in the Environment program and will be Forestry related, but I really don't know exactly what I will be doing.  More details to come in the future!  (just as soon as I myself know)  Initially I will be training with a group of fellow newbies in Mantasoa to learn the language, Malagasy, and about the local culture.  During this time I will likely be making amazing new friends, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, having crazy dreams from the malaria medication, experiencing gastro-hell, playing a lot of charades with my host-family, and taking a ga-jillion photos to share with you!  I don't know how frequently I will have access to the internet, but check back for updates on my new life in the tropics and I promise that I will try to entertain you from the other side of the planet ;) 

Should you care to share your stories with me (which I assure you are extremely interesting to me, please write!) here is my Madagascar address:
                 
Michelle Manza, PCV
Bureau du Corps de la Paix
B.P. 12091
Poste Zoom Ankorondrano
Antananarivo 101
Madagascar

This address will change later on, so I'll post a new one eventually.  Even if its just a quick note, I want to hear about what you're up to!  And I promise to write back. 

Con mucho amor, Veloma!