9 years ago
0

Greetings from JKF

by Rawan / Her

The day to leave for Georgia has finally come! Before we even left Staging, the Peace Corps told us that our scheduled flight to Georgia has changed a couple of times. Originally, we were going to check-out of the hotel at 4:00 a.m. and have a solid 13 hour layover in Istanbul. But now, we were able to check out at 12:00 p.m. and only have a one hour layover in Turkey. I got all excited…..which was premature. Let me explain.

We did check out at noon, that was great. We only waited about an hour for the buses to pick us up in Philadelphia to take a few hour drive to JFK in New York City. We got to JFK around 4:00 p.m- so three hours later. So Justin and I head to the check-in counter and were very excited to hand her our freshly minted special Peace Corps Diplomatic Passports. She took one look was like, “Miss, you cannot check-in because you are EIGHT HOURS early to your flight!” Puppy eyes and polite pleas did not work here.

So literally all of us moved to a deserted corner in the airport (hard to find in JFK) and busted out a card game on the floor and played for a few hours.

The second we were able to check-in around 7:45 p.m., we immediately did so and then proceeded to security. And that is where I am right now. Silently awaiting for the clock to hit midnight at our gate. Unlike Cinderella, I want the clock to hit midnight sooner rather than later.

Here are my closing thoughts, by the time we go on that plane, we could have been half-way to Georgia right now. True Story.

9 years ago
0

Staging!

by Rawan / Her

Peace_Corps_StagingSomehow, Justin and I managed to pack our lives in 2 suitcases and 2 carry-on items per person. Basically, if my suitcases were human, they would not have room to eat one more bite on Thanksgiving dinner or their zippers would break open. Of course, Justin’s laptop bag decided to do just that. At the security line before our first flight, as Justin was putting back his laptop in the bag, the seam of one of the pockets wouldn’t close properly!

But it didn’t matter, because after months of waiting, we were finally on our way to Staging in Philadelphia! During this 2-3 day event, the Peace Corps staff hosts a bunch of group discussions and sessions to introduce us to the Peace Corps’ expectations, other volunteers, and some projects. (see picture above for my hotel room window view!)

I’ll be honest, there were a lot of group activities and sharing- much more than I’m used to. Group activities were not very often when I worked professionally (in the corporate world) and when they did happen- we tended to split up and do each segment individually. At staging, it was more like “pick a partner/group and each of you have ‘x’ amount of minutes to share and then switch.” Thankfully, our group of volunteers seem awesome. Scratch that- our “new government issued family members” as one person said, seem awesome 🙂

 

9 years ago
0

Procrastination at its Finest

by Rawan / Her

I’m not going to lie, I’m having college flashbacks at this very moment. Very similar feeling to writing that dreadful essay and you have no idea what to fill up those 5 pages with. So naturally, you do everything else before you do what is supposed to be your priority.

But instead of an essay in college, it is packing for the Peace Corps. Nothing productive today. I think I had at least five staring matches with my clothes. I’ve had maybe 5 cookies (I know that has nothing to do with anything, but it is stress eating. Don’t judge). I may or may not be catching up on my TV shows right now.

In reality though, I’m not that behind. I’ve done 99% of my shopping. I already have a spreadsheet from weeks ago prepared. And I’ve also done 90% of the laundry I’m taking with me.

I think I just don’t want to pick things in the suitcases for several reasons 1) it is never fun 2) it just means I’m closer to leaving my family, friends, comfort, and luxury… and 3) I have all day tomorrow to do this.

9 years ago

My First Post!

by Rawan / Her

Hello World!

With one week left before the Peace Corps, I stand looking around my parents’ home wondering how much will change when I get back. I’m already going to miss 3 weddings while I’m gone- and that will probably be just the beginning of the list of “things I missed out on.” Life will go on without Justin and I in those 2 years, but I’ve been looking forward to this chapter of my life for what feels like eternity sometimes.

Thus, I’ve been partaking on something I like to call my “Pre Peace Corps Bucket List.” I’ve literally been doing all my favorite things right before I leave, because naturally I won’t be able to do so for 27 months while serving in Georgia. I’m eating all my favorite ethnic foods, because I’m not sure how diverse the cuisine will be there. Oh, I’m so eating a bunch of In ‘n Out before I go (for those located outside of the west coast,  you are essentially missing out). I even went to Disneyland and Universal Studios/Wizarding World of Harry Potter the same week! But my favorite activity as of yet is probably dressing up my youngest sister is crazy old outfits of ours while Spring cleaning.

I wish I could I say that I have just been having fun. Leaving the country for over two years is a lot of work. In reality, it has been stressful. My life has been packing and unpacking those darn Home Depot boxes for the past 2 weeks. We also had to sell our stuff in San Jose then drive the rest to my parents’ house 7 hours away. While putting things in boxes for storage (aka my parents’ garage), my mind keeps coming back to the same question that everyone loves to ask, “What are you guys going to do when you are done with the Peace Corps?” Essentially, I freak people out with my answer because it goes something like this, “Well, I’ll be 30 and living back in my old childhood room with my husband and jobless.” At least it isn’t in the basement, right?! But in all honesty, no one can really predict their life 2 years ahead, so I don’t worry about it too much and neither should you. We are the ones who sold most of our possessions, quit our Silicon Valley careers, and up and quit to join the Peace Corps. Yes, we are crazy. Yes, we are addicted to living abroad and traveling. And yes, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Looking forward to keeping you all posted on our crazy adventure!