Some updates!

Hey! Sorry I've been rather scarce with my posts. School keeps me super busy. But anyways, I just wanted to let everyone know what has been happening over the past week or so. I should be getting my passport with Alex on Friday this week after I'm through with all my exams on Thursday. That is going to be a huge step forward in making this happen. Also, on November 24 (MY BIRTHDAY!!) Jill, the coordinator of the trip is giving a presentation down at Shands to all the members that will be attending this trip. I didn't mention before, but me and three of my friends are working with Jill, who works at Shands (the teaching hospital around here), to organize the trip. My friends and I are going to be the ones to decide who goes on the trip. I've recieved alot of applications and we will begin reviewing them in early December so that we can have a finalized list of who is attending at the very beginning of the semester. I've seen alot of really great applications (and several not so great), but we are going to have a full house going on this trip. It seems like everyone is getting really excited about it. We are also going to be organizing a large fundraising event for the trip to help bring down costs. I think we'll be hosting a guitar hero tournement, which is going to be AWSOME! Anyways, I think that's all I got for you right now. I'll just leave you with a very pretty picture of Banjul, the capital of Gambia! YAY!

-Kerry

World Music Ensembles!!

So last night I went to UF's annual world musics ensembles concert. I must say, after attending that, I realized how uptight we are here in America. The Cuban group had like half the audience up on stage dancing (including me). I happened to see my professor while I was up there, and he made a pretty snide comment about me dancing up on stage during class today. But anyways, it was really interesting to see other culture's music and dance. There was also an Western African ensemble and dance group which interested me a lot. I really want to join the ensemble next semester so I can learn as much as I can about Gambian culture (and music) before I get there. Since I will be working at a hospital which has an Arts in Medicine part to it, I would really like to learn about their art before I subject them to my own. lol Anyways, overall it was pretty interesting. They were in very colorful and elaborate costumes and the music was almost entirely percussive, except for a bit of singing. Of course they had the whole audience dancing and singing by the end of their performance too. Needless to say, I had a great time at this concert last night and I'm super excited to participate in the ensemble next semester. I know this post didn't have much to do with Gambia, but I still thought it was interesting and fun! lol

On another note, I think I'm getting my passport this week. I'll keep you guys up to date about it....I'm SUPER excited though!

-Kerry :)