End of Staging, on to Training

I hugged everyone and said goodbye before walking down the hallway to my gate. I got on the plane to Philadelphia Monday morning sick to my stomach with anxiety over my choices. As the plane took off my fears assuaged momentarily and were replaced by the normal dizziness. As soon as I got my bags I hopped the first (expensive!!!) cab and got to the hotel. Right off, I met someone else in my program (CYE) and who was also going to Niger, what luck, right?

After putting my bags away and waiting around staging finally commenced. With each moment that passed I only got more excited. We did so many activities and slowly but surely my fears turned into excitement. The images we saw brought tears of happiness to my eyes and when a recent Niger PCV stopped in to talk to us I was elated.

I realize that this is what I am meant to do and where I am meant to go. I'm so excited to get on this plane tomorrow and to finally dive, head first, into this next phase of my life. My only fear now (okay, besides pit latrines) are of not wanting to come back home. The first three months I doubt I will have internet but I will be writing letters and my parents will be able to update facebook and my blog for me while I am gone. Just remember, no news is good news. **News Flash** I miss you already!

Postcard from Philadelphia

The Eternal Optimist

This I am. I am leaving in a mere 19 days. I recently received my airline tickets to Philadelphia. I was worried that I wouldn't have much time between the time I landed and the time I had to be at registration. I mapquested the two locations and found our they are only 15 minutes away.

I haven't felt worried lately. There was a week or two after graduation where I was really doubting my abilities and whether or not I could go through with this commitment. Lately, the more I've learned about my program, and the more I've prepared I have become comfortable with everything. I am no longer nervous. I am optimistic that, while things will surely be different, I will find enough similarities to bridge the gaps. As long as I find someone I feel comfortable with I know I will be fine.

I bought bilingual and French and children's books to use in my community interactions. I have everything packed and ready to go also. My suitcases are underweight which i think is best in case I would have to carry any of them.

Un Rêve

Last night I had a dream that someone from my high school was also going to Niger with the Peace Corps. Although the face and name are fuzzy now I wonder what the dream meant. Will I know someone there or will I just get to know someone with such ease? It will be interesting to find out.

I received my staging kit today. I learned that I will be flying out of Philadelphia. I will fly to Paris and then onwards to Niger. It's only a 5 hour flight which is encouraging for my future travel endeavors. France has always been the country I've been drawn to the most.

My knowledge of French is what has lead me to Niger. As I sit down to complete the rest of my forms I am hopeful that I will begin to make a difference. I want to live the fourth and pay it forward. Those of us who have been so privileged have a duty to those who are open to help.

Montage of past blogs

I have come to believe that the only people you NEED in your life are the ones that prove they NEED you in theirs. You realize that you cant go with out them and they know they cant go with out you!

Lately, these people have become hard to come by with a few exceptions. I think every once in awhile we go through these phases where we have drifted away (or have let others drift away from us) and we feel neglected. But rather than wallowing in the sadness this creates we need to reach out and pull these people back in. Friendship is give in take but not always in that order.


So, I just got my Peace Corps assignment. It is right up my alley. I am working with youth (which I didn't think I would before) and coordinating formal and non-formal education. Come July 10th I will be in NIGER!!! I am so excited (and yes, it is different than Nigeria) You should wikipedia/google it.

I absolutely cannot wait to get to Africa. Shiree and I are talking about planning a trip to South Africa while I'm there. I definitely want to go and visit Luxembourg. I just worry that it's going to be super expensive. As much as I don't want to have to rely on my parents financially I don't think I will make enough to travel for fun.

I want EVERYONE's permanent address so I can keep in touch. I make the assumption that I will NOT have internet. While this may or may not be true, I'd rather be on the safe side.