T-2 Days

Has a year really already passed since I first sat down to begin my application to become a Peace Corps volunteer?  Have the past four months of family, friends, freedom and adventure come and gone already?  I guess time really does fly by when you are having fun!


I made a goal for myself to post my first blog entry before departing for Cameroon, and so with T-2 days ahead, I will sit here and try to get you on the same page as my thought processes.  Maybe the delay in posting is because I have been busy saying goodbye to people all across this country, agonizing over packing, or my desires to have the blog details all worked out before posting.


Most certainly the delay is because I am filled with feelings of great excitement, anticipation, intrigue, and readiness that I haven't been sure how to write down in words.  Sure there are probably feelings of anxiety, nervousness, fear, and sadness but I feel that I am so ready for this experience to begin that those are not at the forefront.  Who knows, they could pop up as soon as I post this, once I arrive in Philly to begin Staging (Peace Corps terminology for Pre-Departure Orientation), as I step off the plane in Yaounde, or a few weeks from now.

Here's what I'm feeling right now:


1) I'm ready for the anticipation of what's to come, what I'm going to experience, and what my role is going to be to happen already.  It has been a year of drawing upon written information, other people's experiences, and my imagination.  I'm psyched to hit the ground running and see what being (no longer becoming) a Peace Corps volunteer is all about...for me.  Everyone's experience is different (for obvious reasons) and I hope I can communicate what it is that I'm thinking, accomplishing and exploring through blog posts, emails, phone calls, and HAND-WRITTEN LETTERS.


2) It saddens me to think that I will not be around for your milestones, other big events, and just to have the ease of picking up the phone or making plans to hang out at the drop of a hat.  On the other hand, though two years (well a little bit more) sounds like a long time, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't.  We shall see what communication opportunities exist in Cameroon (ie: consistency of electricity, access to internet, etc.), though that is part of a moral dilemma that I am having as to how modestly I would like to spend my time while in Africa, if given the choice.

Well then, I could probably write more, but I won't, especially since I have to go finish packing to leave New Jersey this afternoon and head into Philadelphia for my last goodbye.


Take care, be in touch, follow my blog, forward this onto anyone whom you think might be interested,  and BE WELL!


A BIENTOT ["Until Next Time" in French]


Stef