And so it begins...

I am off to orientation in LA tomorrow before I leave for Vanuatu on Thursday! Ready to get this show on the road and once in Vanuatu I'll be living with a host family for a few months and then sent to my very own village in December. If you didn't know already, there is only one Peace Corps volunteer per village so we can fully integrate into the community...I hope they like me! :) And thankfully I know someone who will be joining me on the journey...Lindsay, who I got to meet in Chicago...glad to have a buddy starting off!

I've had a blast visiting everyone before I depart and miss y'all already!

I am unsure of how often I will be able to check email or update this blog. You can still email amyhchan@gmail.com but excuse a delay in reply. I will also post travel details for those who plan to visit...come on down! While I am far away with limited internet...please keep me posted on your happenings!

Thanks for all the well wishes and as I've said before...you've helped me get here.

My last day of work and in Chicago

Almost 5 years in Chicago and what an amazing time it's been. Summer festivals and BYOB dinners with the crew, preparties at Reg, Kawar and Sunny's place, pumpkin carving, clubbing and standing in the dreaded cold to get in, Girls' nights out, bike rides with Steve, Hodes reunions and get togethers, late night eats at Baba Palace, my 30th and visits from my NC peeps...there are so many memories. Thinking of those times and everyone who were a part of these days and late nights are forever going to help push me through any difficult times that may come my way in the Peace Corps.

Now I am off to begin some traveling...Portland, Washington, Vancouver, Halifax and lastly a cruise before I ship off Sept 17. It doesn't seem real...not until I am on that plane over the Pacific viewing down at my new home for 2 years...Vanuatu, ready or not.

Where is Vanuatu?

Pronounced Van-ah-wha-tu.
It is located between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The map shows the flight times between countries. Hope you'll visit!

The language

Bislama is the official language of Vanuatu. It's a mixture of French and English pigeon talk. Here are a few interesting words and phrases translated into Bislama:

hello = alo
goodbye = tata
ocean = solwater
bra = basket blong titi
I speak little Bislama = Mi tok tok smol Bislama nomo
Thank you very much = Tank yu tumas

(and finally, my personal favorite)
helicopter = mixmaster blong Jesus Christ

Apparently, many languages developed over time across Vanuatu's 83 islands. Over 100 languages are currently spoken there, excluding English and French. So Bislama is relied upon as a secondary language for all these different groups of islanders to communicate.

Tata for now.

And the Winner Is...

I just got my assignment for Peace Corps AND...it will be 2 years in Vanuatu [vɑ-nuˈ-ɑ-tu]. Googling to commence :)

My program is "Strengthening Human Resources through Education Project" and my job title is Business Advising in the Rural Training Centers. Yep, rural. I didn't expect urban but I was hoping that it could entail improving tourism on a small island, starting up a surf store on the beach or something...ha. Essentially, I'll be teaching and training in a small village.

Orientation Sept 17-19 in the US and then off to Vanuatu for pre-service training Sept 20-Nov 30. Service dates Dec 08-Dec 2010.

Now to accept the invitation and begin reading through the details...

Book recommendations please

Absence of TV, internet and you all = lots of reading...so hit me up with your favorites. Gracias!

And speaking of...I am determined to learn Spanish during my time there, despite my not being in Central or South America. (still a little bitter about that) I'm thinking Rosetta Stone has the best results. Any other suggestions appreciated!

Waiting

ARGH. Still waiting. I'm at the mercy of the DC placement office which is backed up and I could have to wait until 6 weeks before departure to find out the details! 6 weeks! It could be August before I find out. I'm already making plans to be off Aug and Sept. Also getting my place ready to be put on the market. So much to do.