So this is the first post of many dealing with my Peace Corps experience for the next couple of years. I don't have any specific goals as to what will be shared or posted, I just figure things will come to me that need to be shared. Hopefully, I will be able to provide updates once a week with any new or current projects, as well as share whatever is running through my mind. I suppose the first thing to do would be to recap the whole application process, but, you know, I don't think I will right now. A brief summary will do:
As you may or may not have heard, I will be a volunteer in the Peace Corps serving in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Eastern Caribbean starting August 23rd. I am in the Youth Development program, and if that sounds overly vague and general to you, you're not alone. I still do not know precisely what my position will entail, other than the brief description I was given in my invitation packet and some helpful insight from a handful of volunteers already on the island. I will most likely be working out of a school and assisting in the development and implementation of educational programs in a wide variety of subjects ranging from math and science to health, hygiene, and environmental awareness. Furthermore, it seems that I will be assisting or creating after school programs, possibly in the areas of art, music, and sports. I have heard there is much to do down there, but it takes some digging to uncover what the specific needs are, so I am looking forward to just getting down there and doing some exploring on my own.
I have just made my travel arrangements via SATO Travel this afternoon, and I will be flying out of O'Hare airport at 5:55 in the A.M. on the 23rd, Miami bound. Registration is at 12:30 at the Crowne Plaza, and I'm pretty excited to meet the other trainees and see who will be in the Eastern Caribbean with me. There is just so much to do between now and then that it is a bit overwhelming at times to think about. I still have to sort through my belongings I brought back from Denver and take stuff to salvation army, fill out a dozen or so forms, mostly registration forms for the PC but also my deferment forms for the thousands of dollars in student loans that will not be paid. Sorry, fat cat bankers, but you won't be seeing a dime from me for awhile! I still don't know what I'm taking with me, so that will have to be figured out. Oh, I probably need to get some new luggage too. I think my duffel bag that I've been using since I was 15 has seen better days, and a trip like this might need something a little more, um, durable and packing-friendly. I can't get away with just throwing loose clothes in and zipping it up this time. Well, maybe I'd better get on some of that stuff this afternoon. I've said enough by now.
Note to self: check to see if Sams Club sells sunblock by the metric ton.
