It's amazing how time flies when the Peace Corps keeps you busy with lots of training. It's hard to believe it's been almost two weeks since I left the states, but based on the amount of stuff I've learned and the amount of Spanish I've attempted to speak two weeks sounds about right. Somedays I think trying to relearn Spanish is way worse than trying to learn a completely new language because somewhere in the back of my head I know these things, but can't seem to pull them out. My spanish is definitely getting better everyday, I just can't wait for the day when I can speak without too many hesitations.
The most exciting that has happened lately (other than realizing I do kind of know how to speak Spanish) is I found out where I am going to be working at the end of my 3 months of training.
I'm going to be moving to the city of Puebla, which is located in the state of Puebla. Puebla is a big city located about 90 miles southeast of Mexico City. I haven't been able to learn too much about Puebla, but I will be visiting in a couple weeks so I'm sure I will learn lots. I also learned that I will be working at Flor del Bosque a state park that is located just 15 minutes north of downtown Puebla. I don't have an exact job description, just a very general environmental education volunteer job description so even though I was under the impression I was going to be writing curriculum I know don't really know what exactly I'll be doing. Based on the little bit I've been able to translate from their website and the awesome tourist video I found in English it seems like it is going to be a great place to work for a couple years. I think the funniest thing I've learned is that they have a huge habitat for white-tailed deer, which just shocked me considering in many area of the US we have too many.
I titled this one last time because it hit me that I have
done a lot of things for the last time (not for forever, but at least for a
little while).I hung out with
friends for one last time, at the beach with the Bronski’s and Medfords,
Allison House drove down to hang out, and of course dinner at San Jose’s with
Sally, Mandy, and Rachel. Ate my
dad’s BBQ chicken one last time. Not
only did I drive my car for the last time before it got parked for the next 2+
years, but I drove myself somewhere for what could be the last time in a very
long time. On Wednesday I will use
the cell number I’ve had for the last 10 years for the absolute last time.I repacked my suitcase for hopefully
the last time.Gave my wonderful
Grandmother what I hope is not a last kiss and hug.Said my last goodbyes.Ate my last meal in an American restaurant.Ate one last pint of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food thanks to
Gina!I will have been surrounded
by the sounds of mostly English for the last time.I also packed away the last box of my stuff and put it in the extra room at my wonderful parent’s house.
If I didn’t say a last goodbye to you I apologize I simply
ran out of time and goodbyes.Just
know that I have thought a lot about the people who have crossed my path over
the years as I packed away all my possessions and attempted to ready myself for
what just might be the craziest thing I have ever done.If you had asked me a year ago what’s
the craziest/scariest things I had ever done I would have answered moving to
Minnesota when I had never been there and didn’t know anyone.I find it pretty funny that I’m
choosing to do this again, except now I’m adding in a new language.The next 27 months should be
interesting.
It seems like just yesterday I drove away from Lutherock knowing (for
the 2nd time) this was it for me, my last summer on staff, my last summer spent
hiking into breakfast, enjoying the beautiful views, and watching both the
campers and counselors faith grow, as well as my own. Back in 2008, when
I reluctantly left at the end of the summer I knew (or thought I knew) this was
it for me, that it was time to get a real job. However, that didn’t
quite work out since I was layed off after a year and like so many others had a
hard time finding another job.
Sometime, during the search I began seriously thinking about Peace
Corps. At the time, it seemed like
a crazy thing to do, to contemplate leaving everything/everyone behind to go
work in another country for 2 years.
However, the more I thought about it, it seemed like a good idea. What better time to do Peace Corps than
when I’m not married, don’t own a house, and wouldn’t be quitting a good job
since I didn’t have one.
Thus, here I am sitting at my parents’ house, packing up everything I
own, trying to figure out what to take and what to leave, and completing my
very long to do list, including starting this blog.It’s hard to believe that in 20 days I’ll be in D.C. to
start my Peace Corps adventure.This of course means I also only have 20 days left to get everything
done, to have a little more fun with friends and family and to say the rest of
my goodbyes.While I know I will
miss out on a lot while I am gone, I know that this is my perfect chance to go
out into the world and do something like this.
It seems perfectly fitting to me that I would once again spend my summer working at camp right before
leaving since I know the only reason I ever contemplated doing this
is because all those years ago Hillary and Allison Smith talked me into being a
camp counselor at Lutheridge.It
is because of that first experience and all the people I’ve met there and at
Lutherock that I’ll be flying to Mexico August 29th.
So I would like to say thank you to all
the people that are the reason I am doing this. I would especially like to thank the 2012 Lutherock staff
for reminding me why I love camp so much and for sending me off to Mexico with
peace in my heart, a smile on my face, and many new friends that I can’t wait
to send mail.
