I can't believe it - but the time has come! I am leaving tomorrow for a 7 month placement with Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots program in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

I have had a wonderful time with friends and family throughout the last month as I have celebrated both the ending of my life as an undergrad student at U of Guelph, and the exciting transition toward pursuing my passions for people, animals, and the environment.

I want to extend an enormous thank you to everyone who has supported me in preparing for this journey. I am truly humbled and grateful to have been the recipient of well-wishes, hugs, conversations, and even a beautiful surprise party!

While I am not looking forward to the 30 hours of transit time that looms ahead of me, I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to return to East Africa. I will finally be able to retrieve the huge piece of my heart that I left there in 2009!

I hope to update this blog as much as I can - so please check it from time to time and you can check out my stories and photos.

Finally, I want to leave you with a little overview of the Roots and Shoots progarm for any of you that have questions... I'm sure you'll agree that it's an organization that I'm destined for:

"The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for our people, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in more than 120 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe."