As each day goes by, I realize their is something else I need to take care of before leaving in TWO WEEKS. Whether it's packing up my kitchen, buying a second pair of eye glasses for the trip (Peace Corps requires all volunteers who wear contacts/glasses to bring two pair of glasses), purchasing minor things like thick socks or a pair of binoculars, choosing which pair of shoes to take or leave, painstakingly picking which UNC t shirts stay or go, and making time to squeeze in one more hair appointment :)
I've also enjoyed spending time with my friends and family. I participated in an Obama House Party event this past weekend and watched the Euro Cup final with some friends. I found out South Africa is hosting the 2010 World Cup, how kick-butt would it be to catch a game (or at least be in the vicinity of an arena)?!?! I'm also realizing how interesting it's going to be living overseas and watching the presidential election play out back here in the States, especially since I was so involved locally. I'm personally looking forward to experiencing first hand the reactions of the world towards Senator Obama and his run for the White House. He has to be an inspirational figure to so many outside of the States.
With all my free time, I've been able to read Nelson Mandela's autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom". It's a lengthy read (625 pages), but he's an amazing writer and his story is unbelievably compelling. It's hard to believe he turns 90 this year, the man is a marvel of his time. I like to set high standards for myself, so one goal of mine while in South Africa is to try to hear Mr. Mandela speak in person.
A girl can dream, can't she....
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Mission Accomplished (....sort of)
Well, I have officially completed the unique/some-what complicated task of selling off all my furniture. Craigslist is amazing, but there sure are some sketch people cruising that site. With three weeks left, a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I am now in the process of putting the rest of my life in boxes and beginning the arduous task of packing. Also, I'm still trying to find a home for Carina (my doggy) which is a challenge all on it's own.
I received information regarding my orientation (Staging) a few day ago. I will fly into Washington D.C. July 12th for three days of orientation. This process includes getting a basic idea of travel and safety precautions, meeting the other volunteers, getting various vaccinations, and a brief over view of what we can expect during our three months of Pre-Service Training (PST). As a group, we'll fly out the evening of Monday July 15th and arrive in Johannesburg Tuesday July 16th. It's about a 17 hour flight, which I believe is the longest (if not one of the longest) flights in the world.
I'm getting more and more excited as the time draws near, but feelings of sadness come and go as well. I'm also trying to enjoy myself as much as possible. This includes going to movies and concerts, eating "American" junk food that I haven't had in years, playing with my dog, watching music videos, downloading iTunes, etc. Without a 9-5 in the way, these next few weeks will be spent enjoying the little things that I found myself missing when I traveled abroad in the past.
Paz....
I received information regarding my orientation (Staging) a few day ago. I will fly into Washington D.C. July 12th for three days of orientation. This process includes getting a basic idea of travel and safety precautions, meeting the other volunteers, getting various vaccinations, and a brief over view of what we can expect during our three months of Pre-Service Training (PST). As a group, we'll fly out the evening of Monday July 15th and arrive in Johannesburg Tuesday July 16th. It's about a 17 hour flight, which I believe is the longest (if not one of the longest) flights in the world.
I'm getting more and more excited as the time draws near, but feelings of sadness come and go as well. I'm also trying to enjoy myself as much as possible. This includes going to movies and concerts, eating "American" junk food that I haven't had in years, playing with my dog, watching music videos, downloading iTunes, etc. Without a 9-5 in the way, these next few weeks will be spent enjoying the little things that I found myself missing when I traveled abroad in the past.
Paz....
Monday, June 16, 2008
Goodbyes
Well...the "Goodbye Phase" has begun and it's a lot more difficult than I expected. I guess (prepare for a cliche) you never know what you've got until it's gone. I didn't realize how amazing my school, students, department, and colleagues were until I was forced to say goodbye to my first "work home" these past few weeks. It was difficult, to say the least, to say goodbye to people who have helped me become a better educator over these past two years. I was given the opportunity to teach the courses of my choosing, which helped me bring passion into my classroom. At the same time, my high school challenged me (well...more so the kids challenged me) to look for a variety of ways to teach and educate. Yep....in the words of Boyz II Men, it was "hard to say goodbye".
My friends and colleagues organized goodbye parties and dinners in my honor, which was GREAT. I've also been receiving some pretty cool gifts for my trip; the best so far being a journal from my students, a South Africa travel guide book from my Social Studies department, and a map of South Africa from one of my close work friends that is now comfortably situated on my apartment wall. The warm gifts, cards, and words have meant a lot to me :)
Now I'm focused on moving on to my month-long full time job: Selling/getting ride of cheap used stuff, my car being the main focus. I'm actually using the EXACT same qualities that I used while teaching high school kids, patience and flexibility. They will be my BF's for the next month.
On to some good news. I'm beginning to get more pieces of the puzzle, and I found out I'll be training in the Mpumalanga Province which is situated in the northeastern part of the country. I'll be about 50 miles north of the capital (Pretoria) in a village near a small college. I will soon know more about my three months of training, but as of right now, I just know the province.
Counting down the days....till next time!
My friends and colleagues organized goodbye parties and dinners in my honor, which was GREAT. I've also been receiving some pretty cool gifts for my trip; the best so far being a journal from my students, a South Africa travel guide book from my Social Studies department, and a map of South Africa from one of my close work friends that is now comfortably situated on my apartment wall. The warm gifts, cards, and words have meant a lot to me :)
Now I'm focused on moving on to my month-long full time job: Selling/getting ride of cheap used stuff, my car being the main focus. I'm actually using the EXACT same qualities that I used while teaching high school kids, patience and flexibility. They will be my BF's for the next month.
On to some good news. I'm beginning to get more pieces of the puzzle, and I found out I'll be training in the Mpumalanga Province which is situated in the northeastern part of the country. I'll be about 50 miles north of the capital (Pretoria) in a village near a small college. I will soon know more about my three months of training, but as of right now, I just know the province.
Counting down the days....till next time!
Monday, June 2, 2008
When, Where, and How
Greetings All,
Six months ago I decide to take a chance. I applied to the Peace Corps and was accepted this past April to become a part of the 18th group to head to South Africa as volunteers in a School and Community outreach-type program. Currently my life consist of selling/saying goodbye to the old, and buying/preparing for the new. In the words of an SNL guest, things have been "crazy-exciting"!
I'm in the process of selling off everything I can possibly get rid of which has helped me discover two very important things: (1) it's hard to sell cheap/used stuff and (2) I'm not good at selling cheap/used stuff. I do, however, have six more weeks (well.....five) to sell, or more than likely, give away my things.
Until then, I'm focused on finishing up the school year teaching at my current high school, selling items, packing up my life into bags/boxes, and throwing away whatever is left. I'm feeling a variety of emotions: anxiety, sadness, euphoria, shock, gratitude, and excitement (excuse me....crazy-excitement)!
'till next time.....
Six months ago I decide to take a chance. I applied to the Peace Corps and was accepted this past April to become a part of the 18th group to head to South Africa as volunteers in a School and Community outreach-type program. Currently my life consist of selling/saying goodbye to the old, and buying/preparing for the new. In the words of an SNL guest, things have been "crazy-exciting"!
I'm in the process of selling off everything I can possibly get rid of which has helped me discover two very important things: (1) it's hard to sell cheap/used stuff and (2) I'm not good at selling cheap/used stuff. I do, however, have six more weeks (well.....five) to sell, or more than likely, give away my things.
Until then, I'm focused on finishing up the school year teaching at my current high school, selling items, packing up my life into bags/boxes, and throwing away whatever is left. I'm feeling a variety of emotions: anxiety, sadness, euphoria, shock, gratitude, and excitement (excuse me....crazy-excitement)!
'till next time.....
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