WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!

This Friday, I am heading down to Louisiana/Texas to visit some family and friends, whom I haven't seen in about 3 years. My Delta airlines app announced to me today that I have 4 days until check-in. 4 days? 4 days! I have been planning this trip for the past two years pretty much and I guess what caught me offguard was that it seemed to suddenly appear. In 4 days, I will be gone for a week, come back, and then have only 3 days until I report to DC. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!

 

On my last day of my full time job, people were asking me, "Are you excited!?" My answer, simply put was, "I think so?" See, for two years, I've been so excited about Peace Corps. Obsessing over blogs, articles, discussion forums, PeaceCorpsWiki (lifesaver!) and more, and it was really hard to focus on other priorities. For this reason, I have had to compartmentalize my excitement, and now it's kinda weird to be bringing it back into the light. It feels like a bright sunny day and it's snowing, and it just doesn't make sense to me right now. I keep thinking: Is this MY life? Is this really happening? For so long, it was a waiting game and I had to learn how to put Peace Corps out of my mind so that I could live my life. I was overwhelmed. 

 

There is so much about being a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) that I cannot read in a blog or even ask a current volunteer. It's something I'll have to dive head first into and take it as it comes. As I get closer to departing, I am starting to think of that "unknown" that will grace me with its presence in Peru. It could come as quietly as a summer's breeze or as fiercely as a rushing wave, and what scares me is that I have no idea what or how intensely it will come. And that is frightening. On a positive note, I am grateful for answers I have been able to find from current PCVs, and I will never be able to thank them enough @mandy/todd/kaeli/faith/amanda/sue.

 

So in 16 days I will be meeting other Peace Corps Peru volunteers who will be embarking on a journey of a lifetime. It seems like one big dream that for some of us, has been in the making for such a long time that we can't even begin to imagine that NOW is the time for it to happen. It's the weirdest feeling in the world, and I don't want people to think I'm not excited.. I just dont know how to express it at the moment.

 

Meanwhile, I am spending time with family, friends and pets... eating foods I know I can't easily get in Peru (apples, peanut butter), doing things I know won't happen in Peru very often, if ever (hot showers, flushing toliet paper, air conditioner, drinking tap water). Time will tell how this all plays out.

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. [james1:2-4]

 

Lastly, if you have a moment, please read this blog entry by a returned Peace Corps volunteer (RPCV). Who is the Peace Corps for? It speaks of how being a PC Volunteer is important for both Americans and countries abroad.

 

Hasta la proxima,

Cheyenne

And the winner is...

ME! Because I FINALLLLLLLLY have final medical clearance. I swear, it's been like the biggest wall, covered in moldy plants and super sparkly glitter, leaning towards you at 10 degrees so it's almost impossible to climb without a big burly man with broad shoulders and/or a rocketship. Yeah, it's like that.

 

This is was the last hurdle to get over, and I almost giddy with excitement to say "IN YOUR FACE!" Nothing personal, but I'm coming off of 22 months of "character developing" and "patience building" experiences. We'll go with that.

 

Oh, we also got our staging email, so about 4 weeks from today, I'll be flying into Washington DC, and meeting up with 30 or so other crazy people volunteers that I will get to share warm fuzzies with the next 2+ years of my life. We'll mingle and play camp "name games" I am sure of it, all the while discussing what we expect and what we'll actually get. A pep talk better be in there, too. Just saying, because it's not like I am always gushing over the awesomeness of my adventure, I have my moments of "di QUOI?!" and "what did I sign up for again?" This blog perfectly sums up what I feel: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN We'll check out of the hotel bright and early (aka 7am) and leave Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA) around noon. We'll make a pitstop in Houston, and then be on our 6 and a half hour flight to Lima, Peru. Say WHAT?

 

I really hope I can keep this blog going, because so many other volunteer's blogs helped me during this "pre-service" process and I want to be that for others. I have to say that I've kept this going a lot longer than other blogs I might have started in the past.

 

Well, until the next time... here goes nothing! everything!

 

Cheyenne