Surprisingly, packing was pretty much done at the beginning of this week. Usually I wait until the last minute, but I wanted to make sure I made the 80 lb limit and rearrange accordingly. You might not believe it, but I'm more than 10 lbs under! (A small difference from unloading 6 lbs pre-check in for Italy which meant giving my dad all toiletries and putting jeans, books, and sweaters in my backpack.) I guess it's pretty easy when you know it's always hot and/or rainy, shorts are not typical attire, and jeans are considered dressy so tank tops, light-weight pants, and long skirts were the way to go. Goodbye dresses and jackets!
I've been testing out all my new "equipment". First of all, Chaco's are AMAZING. They're not the most attractive shoe which I was reminded of often in Disney World, but they helped me through the flood in MGM and are super comfy. My backpack is also pretty awesome with lots of secret compartments, a rain coat- yes, for the backpack, and about 50 clips for all sorts of fun things. Not so fun was when I cut open the packaging on my Swiss Army Knife today. You know, I was pretty excited to see all of its uses- scissors, cork screw, tweezers, nail file, you name it. I pulled the first piece out which was the blade but when I pulled the next piece, which was the bottle opener, I got a nice big cut on my index finger. A few BandAids did the trick and at least I know the blade is sharp enough. I've yet to figure out how to get the batteries in my headlamp... yes, a headlamp.
Well... I wrote the first two paragraphs a few days ago and today was my going away party so the whole "I'm 10 pounds under" goes right down the drain. I'll definitely be taking out some unnecessary clothes to fit in much appreciated books, journals, flashlights, photos, and juicy art supplies - Augustines, you rock. I think the emergency blanket and underwater pen will be a nice addition to my carry-on, Jeanine. I am so so lucky to have such unbelievable family and friends. I couldn't have asked for a better second to last day home! "Good luck" and "you're crazy" seemed to go hand in hand along with an occasional "holy shit". I got an offer from my cousin Bob to live in his backyard for the next year and teach his 5 kids English, ages 1 through 8... I'd live in a tent of course to keep the experience. My uncle asked me why I wasn't doing Peace Corps in Paris or Vienna. My friend told me he'd be living a few doors down from me in Nicaragua but with the Fun Corps. I discovered O'Hara is actually a poet and my year's salary is my sister's one month rent check.
But in all seriousness, a huge GRACIAS to everyone who bid me farewell. I wouldn't have been as psyched for this experience without your support and encouragement.
Enough of this blogging from NJ... next post will be from Nica and is sure to be more exciting!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
10 days!
Who knew I'd be a "blogger"? It's a little comical but when communication is scarce, you have to do whatever it takes. I felt it would be appropriate to make my first post ten days before departure... why? I'm not really sure. Everyone has been asking me how I'm feeling about leaving NJ for 27 months and the first word I use is always excitement!! I can't wait to learn about an entirely different culture and live in a completely unknown environment. Of course I throw in "anxious", too, because it wouldn't be normal not to have a few nerves. This entire process of applying to and being accepted to serve in the Peace Corps has been a whirlwind. I'll give you a brief synopsis of how it went..
I decided to apply for the Peace Corps when I wasn't sure of my job security after all the budget cuts in NJ. Three amazing people wrote recommendations for me (thanks!) while I filled in the online application and wrote a few essays. I, then, had my interview in NYC and was asked for my top two choices of region which I said would be Central/South America then Africa. About a week later, I received an e-mail giving me two possible assignments - one in Central/South America and one in the Pacific Islands. Yeaa, the Pacific Islands would be absolutely gorgeous but literally on the other side of the world thus kinda far from home. I immediately responded that I would love to volunteer as an Environmental Educator in the Central/South America region. I certainly didn't think my projected departure date of August 31 would become a reality. After getting my medical clearance (well most of it) before leaving for Italy, I still didn't believe I might be leaving at the end of August. But sure enough, halfway through my incredible stay in Lucca, I received my invitation via e-mail saying I would be serving in Nicaragua! Daniela, my Italian host mom, was the first person I could share the news with and she was nothing but supportive.. and a little shocked because if you are born in Lucca, you live in Lucca, and you die in Lucca :) Needless to say, I skyped my parents almost everyday the last two weeks in Italy trying to get everything situated from overseas. It was a little difficult considering my cell phone wasn't the most reliable but I was able to get all the loose ends tied with a tremendous amount of help from my family and the Peace Corps. I also had to call my boss and tell him I would not be returning as a fourth grade teacher for the upcoming school year. It definitely was bittersweet. I couldn't have asked to work in a more supportive and comfortable environment but I knew I couldn't pass this opportunity up. RG, you'll be missed.
After 20 hours of travel from Lucca to Pisa to Rome to Amsterdam to NY, I made it safe and sound to NJ. I met a few friends the following night to share the news... I really wanted to wait to tell them in person because in the grand scheme of things, one more week wouldn't make too much of a difference. Of course, they were amazing and couldn't wait to hear more about what I would be doing. I got a few laughs after describing the environmental aspect of the assignment... we all know I'm not that in touch with nature but hey, that's what training is for, right? (I have a lot of learn, including major brushing up on my Spanish skills. Thank god for Podcasts, Senora Budd, and the Bertocchini family - I keep reassuring myself that Italian and Spanish are very similar...)
I just started "Blood of Brothers" which is a novel about life and war in Nicaragua written by a journalist who spent much of his life there. It was recommended by a former Peace Corps Nica volunteer and because politics is a huge part of the everyday conversation, I thought it would be worth the read. It's extremely interesting but taking a while because I keep stumbling across a great website either on Nicaraguan culture or environmental issues, Peace Corps blogs, or Old Navy sales (I've heard tank tops are a must), and lose focus on my book. Oh well... I still have 10 days!
Here's my address for the first 11 weeks if you have that strong desire to send me mail..
Meghan Wischusen, PCT
Voluntario del Cuerpo de Paz
Apartado Postal 3256
Managua, Nicaragua
Central America
I decided to apply for the Peace Corps when I wasn't sure of my job security after all the budget cuts in NJ. Three amazing people wrote recommendations for me (thanks!) while I filled in the online application and wrote a few essays. I, then, had my interview in NYC and was asked for my top two choices of region which I said would be Central/South America then Africa. About a week later, I received an e-mail giving me two possible assignments - one in Central/South America and one in the Pacific Islands. Yeaa, the Pacific Islands would be absolutely gorgeous but literally on the other side of the world thus kinda far from home. I immediately responded that I would love to volunteer as an Environmental Educator in the Central/South America region. I certainly didn't think my projected departure date of August 31 would become a reality. After getting my medical clearance (well most of it) before leaving for Italy, I still didn't believe I might be leaving at the end of August. But sure enough, halfway through my incredible stay in Lucca, I received my invitation via e-mail saying I would be serving in Nicaragua! Daniela, my Italian host mom, was the first person I could share the news with and she was nothing but supportive.. and a little shocked because if you are born in Lucca, you live in Lucca, and you die in Lucca :) Needless to say, I skyped my parents almost everyday the last two weeks in Italy trying to get everything situated from overseas. It was a little difficult considering my cell phone wasn't the most reliable but I was able to get all the loose ends tied with a tremendous amount of help from my family and the Peace Corps. I also had to call my boss and tell him I would not be returning as a fourth grade teacher for the upcoming school year. It definitely was bittersweet. I couldn't have asked to work in a more supportive and comfortable environment but I knew I couldn't pass this opportunity up. RG, you'll be missed.
After 20 hours of travel from Lucca to Pisa to Rome to Amsterdam to NY, I made it safe and sound to NJ. I met a few friends the following night to share the news... I really wanted to wait to tell them in person because in the grand scheme of things, one more week wouldn't make too much of a difference. Of course, they were amazing and couldn't wait to hear more about what I would be doing. I got a few laughs after describing the environmental aspect of the assignment... we all know I'm not that in touch with nature but hey, that's what training is for, right? (I have a lot of learn, including major brushing up on my Spanish skills. Thank god for Podcasts, Senora Budd, and the Bertocchini family - I keep reassuring myself that Italian and Spanish are very similar...)
I just started "Blood of Brothers" which is a novel about life and war in Nicaragua written by a journalist who spent much of his life there. It was recommended by a former Peace Corps Nica volunteer and because politics is a huge part of the everyday conversation, I thought it would be worth the read. It's extremely interesting but taking a while because I keep stumbling across a great website either on Nicaraguan culture or environmental issues, Peace Corps blogs, or Old Navy sales (I've heard tank tops are a must), and lose focus on my book. Oh well... I still have 10 days!
Here's my address for the first 11 weeks if you have that strong desire to send me mail..
Meghan Wischusen, PCT
Voluntario del Cuerpo de Paz
Apartado Postal 3256
Managua, Nicaragua
Central America
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