It's so punny.

 

 

Two more, too much?

Today I turned in the rest of my medical forms and charts. Now, we play the waiting game. (Through this experience, I feel as if I have begun to master this game) Pre-service nurses will review all submitted materials and will either issue a final medical clearance or request additional supporting documents. I'm hoping for the first option.

 

In this almost two-year journey through becomming a Peace Corps volunteer, I've had my ups and downs. The ups including realizing what you really want from life is possible through hard work and becomming familiar and comfortable with "the game." After a considerable amount of time and effort, I'll finally be a volunteer. No good thing is brought to us by quick timing or straight paths. We must weave our way here and there, picking up life's lessons along the way.  When work brings me down, I tell myself that I only have two months until I'll be with "my people" as my mom refers my future Peruvian community memebers.

 

Where I am now, two months out, I have my pre-preperation jitters. So many things run through your head. You want to be able to deal with whatever comes when it comes, but on the other hand, you want to soak up as much knowledge and advice before you leave. Groups before me have made their way without Facebook groups obsessing over details, so as long as I bring a few recommended essentials, I can figure out the rest of everything in country.

 

　

Today a fellow Peruvian volunteer bestowed to me this quote:

"For things to reveal themselves to us,

we need to be ready to abandon our views about them."
— Thich Nhat Hanh

 

What I like about the words above is that sometimes we can't discover what we're getting ourselves into until we let go and hold on for the ride. Part of the experience is being blind to things on purpose, so that we enter into its reality in a powerful, honest, and totally new way. I'm thankful for past and current Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs), especially those serving in Peru now. I apreciate all the hardwork that has gone before me and for my group that will hopefully continue in that tradition in June. We've got two months left to make things count. So here's to more smiles, sunshine, and turkey club sandwiches.