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...
July 26, 2008
June 20, 2008
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!
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!
June 5, 2008
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.
March 28, 2008
Why Peace Corps and Why Now?
Many people ask me, “why peace corps and why now?” I guess the simple reply is, “why the hell not?” It’s an adventure I’ve always considered and now is the time...before I settle down. Um, settle down? I just don't want to grow up.
A dear friend, Rob Ferguson shared with me the NC state motto, Esse Quam Videri which means, "To be rather than to seem" and it sums up my motivation. My indifference regarding the state of the world had begun to plague me. I can do something to give back, learn about another culture and lifestyle and hopefully figure out what to do with my life when I am back home. A new perspective perhaps. 2.25 years of my life is only a sliver of time.
Turning 30 this year, another milestone that I've been excited about since age 28...telling people I was "almost 30". It's an accomplishment people!
So, in the midst of this milestone, I began to also reevaluate my life. College, work, move to a big city, Master's degree, buy my first home and now what? Not yet ready to settle down so why not Peace Corps to fulfill my adventure chapter?
Just as important, I have the support of my parents and their lives to reflect upon. I’m a first generation…an ABC (American born chinese) whose parents immigrated here to find a better life for themselves. I lived with an extended family of grandparents (nai-nai and dee-dee) who raised me and my ambitious, hard working and determined parents who built a comfortable life for us. They have supported me through college, grad school and move to Chicago. They never expected me to work during school but instead to study, study, study and no punky punky*! :)
Not only have they supported my educational development, but they have also been supportive of my adventures. My mom and I have traveled overseas ever since I was a kid. And though my mother is quite traditional, she is not, however, old-fashion when it comes to marriage. For most asian cultures, there is the usual pressure to get married by a certain age. I mean, by 30 for sure! I am so lucky to have parents who encourage me to experience life as a single woman.
Along with the above reasons, there are also personal motives...to learn about myself and become more well-rounded. My good friends know me as the planner, the organizer and communicator, always in touch, emailing (sorry for the mass ones), texting or calling. So for 2 years, I will be without many of these outlets and I think it will be brutal at first but it will be such a release to "disconnect". Will it? It's a scary thought.
And being the planner that I am, island time will be vastly different from the busy days I am used to with project plans, conference calls, meetings and schedules. I won't be able to control the speed of life or business in the Pacific Islands so it will take some getting used to but lessons learned everyday I am sure. Thankfully my crew in Chicago have provided me some IST (Indian standard time) practice.
*punky punky was a term my mother used to express physical relations with boys...funnier even when she says it! (and not meaning Timeri's mom, Punky)
A dear friend, Rob Ferguson shared with me the NC state motto, Esse Quam Videri which means, "To be rather than to seem" and it sums up my motivation. My indifference regarding the state of the world had begun to plague me. I can do something to give back, learn about another culture and lifestyle and hopefully figure out what to do with my life when I am back home. A new perspective perhaps. 2.25 years of my life is only a sliver of time.
Turning 30 this year, another milestone that I've been excited about since age 28...telling people I was "almost 30". It's an accomplishment people!
So, in the midst of this milestone, I began to also reevaluate my life. College, work, move to a big city, Master's degree, buy my first home and now what? Not yet ready to settle down so why not Peace Corps to fulfill my adventure chapter?
Just as important, I have the support of my parents and their lives to reflect upon. I’m a first generation…an ABC (American born chinese) whose parents immigrated here to find a better life for themselves. I lived with an extended family of grandparents (nai-nai and dee-dee) who raised me and my ambitious, hard working and determined parents who built a comfortable life for us. They have supported me through college, grad school and move to Chicago. They never expected me to work during school but instead to study, study, study and no punky punky*! :)
Not only have they supported my educational development, but they have also been supportive of my adventures. My mom and I have traveled overseas ever since I was a kid. And though my mother is quite traditional, she is not, however, old-fashion when it comes to marriage. For most asian cultures, there is the usual pressure to get married by a certain age. I mean, by 30 for sure! I am so lucky to have parents who encourage me to experience life as a single woman.
Along with the above reasons, there are also personal motives...to learn about myself and become more well-rounded. My good friends know me as the planner, the organizer and communicator, always in touch, emailing (sorry for the mass ones), texting or calling. So for 2 years, I will be without many of these outlets and I think it will be brutal at first but it will be such a release to "disconnect". Will it? It's a scary thought.
And being the planner that I am, island time will be vastly different from the busy days I am used to with project plans, conference calls, meetings and schedules. I won't be able to control the speed of life or business in the Pacific Islands so it will take some getting used to but lessons learned everyday I am sure. Thankfully my crew in Chicago have provided me some IST (Indian standard time) practice.
It's good to see my reasons written down because I can't say that I don't have doubts about doing this. It's going to be tough physically and mentally but most of all, I will be missing my dear family and friends. Thankfully most of you are married already so I won't miss many weddings (hopefully not Amber and Josh's in Oct) and babies have been born (hopefully April and Dee have their twins before I leave!) but it will be sad to miss out on 2 years of life here.
Thanks y'all for being so supportive and encouraging of this next chapter.
*punky punky was a term my mother used to express physical relations with boys...funnier even when she says it! (and not meaning Timeri's mom, Punky)
March 25, 2008
Medically Cleared!
Received medical and dental clearance today...yes strong teeth are a requirement! The placement office should be contacting me soon and with it the formal invitation to serve. I am ready to know NOW...there's so much preparation. I need to tell work and hope they are cool about it...which they should be. I have to consider whether to sell my place or rent it and if it can be bought or rented then there's storing my stuff, planning visits this summer to see everyone before I am shipped out.
And also to prepare myself mentally. I've already started packing lists and reading up on other PC blogs and it helps but there's probably no way to really know how it will be like. Physically, I think I will be able to handle it. Living in a mud hut, bathing in a bucket, ziplocking everything such as toothpaste to keep bugs out, shotty electricity, no tv, internet or cell phone. OMG! Hardest part will be the distance from everyone. All know how I stay in touch always...whether it be an email or call and yes the occasional mass email or text just to say it's snowing in Chicago in Sept. Whew...I hope I can handle it.
And also to prepare myself mentally. I've already started packing lists and reading up on other PC blogs and it helps but there's probably no way to really know how it will be like. Physically, I think I will be able to handle it. Living in a mud hut, bathing in a bucket, ziplocking everything such as toothpaste to keep bugs out, shotty electricity, no tv, internet or cell phone. OMG! Hardest part will be the distance from everyone. All know how I stay in touch always...whether it be an email or call and yes the occasional mass email or text just to say it's snowing in Chicago in Sept. Whew...I hope I can handle it.
March 7, 2008
My first blog
This is my first post! I have often written in a journal but have slacked on that. I'm excited to record my thoughts down again especially since such a major milestone has recently occurred...turning 30!
Threw myself a fabulous party, of which I can barely recall and friends from the west coast, east coast and Canada flew in to celebrate with me. I am so lucky to have such dear friends in my life.
I'm one of those optimistic people who is excited about every new chapter, including turning 30! Now for my next adventure...peace corps.
I was nominated for the Pacific Islands for business development and then went through medical clearance...lab work, doc and dentist visits, shots. I sent in all the docs a couple weeks ago. My parents are supportive and I am so very grateful for them. Next, hopefully a formal invitation and assignment to a specific island in the Pacific. My recruiter did say that "staging" is likely in October.
So this could very well be my last summer in Chicago until I return Jan 2011!
Threw myself a fabulous party, of which I can barely recall and friends from the west coast, east coast and Canada flew in to celebrate with me. I am so lucky to have such dear friends in my life.
I'm one of those optimistic people who is excited about every new chapter, including turning 30! Now for my next adventure...peace corps.
I was nominated for the Pacific Islands for business development and then went through medical clearance...lab work, doc and dentist visits, shots. I sent in all the docs a couple weeks ago. My parents are supportive and I am so very grateful for them. Next, hopefully a formal invitation and assignment to a specific island in the Pacific. My recruiter did say that "staging" is likely in October.
So this could very well be my last summer in Chicago until I return Jan 2011!
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