As the weeks draw nearer to my departure, I have begun to experience a multitude of emotions simultaneously, with the exception of depression or anger. I am sure it is what is expected, especially during this period of limbo, though I am certain the magnitude of my emotions will increase exponentially as the number of days separating me and my new life dwindles.
There is no possible way to ever truly prepare myself for going into the Peace Corps, but one of the main things I can do is to go in with the right mentality: to have an open mind and an open heart.
Although simple-sounding, I cannot stress enough how important it is for me to keep my mind and eyes open. This is going to be a life-changing experience and the worst thing that I could do is to shut myself from what is opening up in front of me - culture, knowledge, a portal into a unique frame of reference. I hope to squeeze every bit of my experience and soak it up like a sponge. You never know when you're going to need the skills you gain, however random they may seem, and I am quite confident that what I learn will undoubtedly be used in my future.
Pardon my digression, but this is one of the longest, yet shortest, waiting periods I have ever gone through. It is exactly two months from today when I will be departing to Staging... While I am itching to jump on the plane and go already, I cannot imagine how bitter sweet it is going to be when I leave my beloved friends and family behind.
Luckily, this period of limbo has been cushioned by work and babies (my twin cousins), so I haven't been left to my idleness alone. :] Nevertheless, I am finding it harder to focus on anything completely. I am either at work and little thoughts pop into my head like, "I wonder how you say 'permit' in Swahili" or "how long will it be until I look at another P&ID", or I am at home watching a show or taking care of the babies and thinking "how much will I miss while I'm gone?" I can't really complain because I am keeping busy and surrounded by love, but I guess I just want to have more to say about where I am going than just "I am going to Tanzania."
Note: I won't actually know where in Tanzania I will be stationed until after training, once I am already in Tanzania.
There is no possible way to ever truly prepare myself for going into the Peace Corps, but one of the main things I can do is to go in with the right mentality: to have an open mind and an open heart.
Although simple-sounding, I cannot stress enough how important it is for me to keep my mind and eyes open. This is going to be a life-changing experience and the worst thing that I could do is to shut myself from what is opening up in front of me - culture, knowledge, a portal into a unique frame of reference. I hope to squeeze every bit of my experience and soak it up like a sponge. You never know when you're going to need the skills you gain, however random they may seem, and I am quite confident that what I learn will undoubtedly be used in my future.
Pardon my digression, but this is one of the longest, yet shortest, waiting periods I have ever gone through. It is exactly two months from today when I will be departing to Staging... While I am itching to jump on the plane and go already, I cannot imagine how bitter sweet it is going to be when I leave my beloved friends and family behind.
Luckily, this period of limbo has been cushioned by work and babies (my twin cousins), so I haven't been left to my idleness alone. :] Nevertheless, I am finding it harder to focus on anything completely. I am either at work and little thoughts pop into my head like, "I wonder how you say 'permit' in Swahili" or "how long will it be until I look at another P&ID", or I am at home watching a show or taking care of the babies and thinking "how much will I miss while I'm gone?" I can't really complain because I am keeping busy and surrounded by love, but I guess I just want to have more to say about where I am going than just "I am going to Tanzania."
Note: I won't actually know where in Tanzania I will be stationed until after training, once I am already in Tanzania.
