They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time. – Brian Fantana

So I figured that some of my previous blogs have not always conveyed the sense of humor that my friends know and love me for, or at least pretend to know me in private, while in public that may be a different story, but deep down they know that I always bring up the awesomeness level about 18%. Yes not a full 20% and no less than 15% but an even keel of 18%. What can I say, I'm that impressive. As you have noticed, my demeanor and relaxed attitude is beginning to show itself more and more each day as I continue to count down the days to departure, 26 days from today to be exact. Yesterday I received word back for my first volunteering job, and, drum roll purrr-rease, it will be in Guatemala at the Finca Ixobel for at least 6 weeks. This will be a great opportunity to explore the surrounding area, make some new friends, and the best part, I will get a private room and three meals a day, which I've read on the Thorn Tree Forum has excellent food since the bread is made fresh at the onsite bakery. I am also hopeful to improve my Spanish beyond the current status of my three lessons a week with my very patient instructor, Alex Lewin, más despacio, por favor. She's been muy bueno. I hope to make her proud by becoming fluent at some point in my travels through Central and South America. I keep thinking how much fun it will be to show up to places in Africa, handing over my U.S. passport, speaking Spanish, with the appearance of being Korean, I am sure they will have no idea what to do with me. It reminds me of when I was in Paris riding the subway and I saw this black guy (by the way I can say this since one of my best friends, who is black, has officially handed over his black card to me telling me, "I am more black than he is," thanks Schlim) well back to the story, this black guy was thugged out on the train in Paris and his mobile rang and it was probably the softest voice I've ever heard answering, "Oh bonjour mon cher ami ce qu'est une belle journée pour vous de me téléphoner." I think I sat there staring with my mouth open for a solid five minutes. Appearances are never what you expect them to be I suppose, and with that I am out like a fat kid in dodgeball.