And so begins the record of my summer

So, my wonderful roommate Jessica started a blog (lairja.wordpress.com) for the summer and when I read her blog I end up becoming wildly inspired to try to write like her in some witty, clever and French-infused way. I am also currently listening to the audiotape of The Life of Pi in my car, and when I leave my car, I often find myself inexplicably narrating my life in a slightly Indian accented man's voice. And when I am at work, I get myself in the professional, gracious mode of writing and feel inspired to analyze the world... So, while this is all may be in my head and all of my writing sounds the same, the consequence is my inspiration to write a blog narrating my life this summer.

Let's start with the basics. I'm living in Lantana, which is pretty much the dormiest of dorms. Its two rooms (which is good for Jessica so she doesn't have to live in my messiness), but we eat in the dining hall and I have to walk down the hall to get to the bathroom. Which was pretty terrible when I got the flu and began vomiting uncontrollably. But more on that later.

I am working at the Flora Family Foundation, which I like to call "the baby of the Hewlett Foundation" but is actually its own thing. Its the family foundation for the Hewletts and they give away a lot of money to a lot of cool organizations each year. Right now their focusing on grants to Tanzania (for the next 6 years) hence my getting this job in the first place. The other intern is a rising high school senior at this really amazing, prestigious school in South Africa (the African Leadership Academy...look it up). I was really nervous at first -- she was young, I knew I would have to take care of her, etc. but its been awesome. She is super fun and grateful for all my help.

What else to discuss? I don't really like writing retrospectively. I got really really ill with some throw-up causing bug 2 weeks ago, and I had to miss my 3rd day of work. I went to Vaden Health Center and got an IV. It was intense.

Over the last 2 weekends we have done really fun things including a trip to the zoo to see the new baby gorilla. It rocked.

So, that is all for now. I will try to write and when inspiration hits. Hopefully that will be often-ish. We'll see.

PS Since this blog is "The Adventures of Rachel and Elijah" I will mention that the rabbit is quite well. He has a ridiculous harness and leash and I make him wear it sometimes. Also he has decided that Jess's room is way better than mine which is problematic for the state of her wooden futon (his new chew toy) and her allergies. :/