"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
Recognize this quote? Yes, Rosie O'Donnell said this in Harriet the Spy when she was leaving Harriet's home. I am not sure why, but this quote always comes to mind when changes come about in my life. In reality, the words aren't about change or moving on or going forward. However, in some small way or another, they make me think of new beginnings.
So, after many classes and countless hours of studying, college is over and somehow I am still not getting a paid for work. This is because I will be serving in the United States Peace Corps for the next 27 months.
"THE PEACE CORPS? Volunteering? No running water? No electricity?" This is the general reaction that I have received. Everyone has a lot of questions and I have to admit that I understand why they would. It isn't everyday a friend or family member moves to another country to live, work, talk, act and play like the country's natives.
So, now that most of the questions have been asked and answered, I am hours away from departing to "Staging". "Staging" is an orientation-like event that we will be given more information pertaining to Peace Corps work and life. We will also receive last minute vaccinations and fill out any missing paper work. Probably, one of the most interesting things is I will be meeting the people that I will be working with for the next 2 years.
Needlesstosay, I am excited about meeting new people, doing new things and accomplishing new tasks, but it is hard to tell the people and places that you know good-bye. When you say 27 months out loud, maybe it doesn't sound like a lot. At first, it didn't to me either. Then I started measuring it by previous years. For example, I thought "OK two years...so basically like both freshman and sophomore year or like junior and senior year..." Then I began to think about how long those years where. I mean of course in some ways they "flew by", but all of a sudden when I thought about this I began to realize the concept of two years. It is a while.
But when all is said in done, this is what I truly want to do. Contributing in some small way to the lives of others is worth it. So for now, I will close with my job description:
Country: Paraguay
Program: Integral Education
Job Title: Education Advisor
Pre-Service Training : February 4, 2011 - April 22, 2011
Dates of Service: April 23, 2011 - April 23, 2013
"The purpose of the Integral Education project is to work with primary and secondary schools' principals, teachers and students as well as with parents and community leaders to strengthen basic reading and math as well as life skills and community service so that student performance is improved and youth are able to become an active part of community as more empowered citizens...As an Integral Education Volunteer, you will observe teaching practices, present model lessons, team-teach with Paraguayan educators, organize workshops and provide follow-up visits. Also you will work with the Third Cycle of Elementary Education and Secondary Education teachers and students in school and community settings promoting self-esteem building, leadership skills and values for a healthy life style incorporation abilities for a successful integration into the work world and active citizenship practices."
Departing for Miami in a few hours. Then on to Paraguay tomorrow night at 11 pm.
Nos hablamos pronto.
