One Week and Engagement!

Well it's here. In one week I will be packing up 1 large duffle bag, 1 rolling suitcase, an extremely large back pack and all the belongings that I can fit to head to Paraguay. The question I've been pondering a lot these past few days is what  should I be sure to bring  for the next  2 years? Like one thing I couldn't live with out...I still have yet to come up with something. So lets make this interactive and you tell me. Leave me a comment of that one thing you think I should bring. Its kinda like that question "if you were stranded on an island what are the 3 things you would want with you?" My answer changes daily!

So the bags are not packed but come Monday and Tuesday you will find me in my basement packing and re packing until it all fits. Until then we have something to celebrate before I leave something really big! My older sister, Rachel got engaged last week! She is getting married and her sweet fiance, Scott wanted to propose before I left so we could celebrate a little. So my mom and I are throwing them an engagement party this weekend! Congratulations you two, I am so happy to be here for this fun time! Here is a picture of them!! Scott,  you did good and welcome to the family!

A lot of people have been asking what I will be doing in Paraguay and what is the Peace Corps like in Paraguay and yada yada. And honestly I only know a little of what I will be doing, and what I know could change very easily when I get down there. I will keep you updated as I learn more. But for now I found this video about Peace Corps Paraguay. It's a little dated but gives you an understand of the mission of Peace Corps in Paraguay! I hope you enjoy!

Jajotopata! ( See ya later in Guanani) 

Departure, staging and arrival

I thought I would blog a little about what I will be doing the first few days of my trip. I recently received final paper work, flight information and an itinerary. There are still a lot of unknowns but I am getting more excited with the information that I have received! So here is what I know:

I will depart from Baltimore Washington International airport on February 6th around 11am. I will land in Miami, Florida and report to a hotel for registration at 6pm. ( never been to Miami, will need to download some Will Smith for background music!) I will spend the night in the hotel on the 6th and wake up for all day "staging" or orientation on the 7th. Staging is designed to be a brief, yet intense orientation to the Peace Corps and the general demands of being an effective and safe Volunteer. Dress is business casual, fancy! From the hotel we will go back to the Miami airport. We will board a non stop flight to Paraguay leaving at 11:30pm. Yup 8 hours through the night, gotta get some sleeping pills! Good thing I have my neck pillow and eye mask!

We land in the Capitol of Paraguay, Asunción around 9:30am. We will be greeted by our country director and Peace Corps staff. We will also have a staff photo taken and sent to our parents to let them know we arrived! Mom- you will have to post that! From the airport we will go though customs and have a half day of training. Later in that day we also meet our host families and move in... I hope mines a good one! The next day we will receive our vaccinations, local currency allowance and cell phones. Once our phones are set up I will be able to call home!

Once training begins it will last 3 months and will be very intense. I will post more about that when I start. When I am finished with training I will be sworn in as a PCV (peace crops volunteer) on April 19, 2013!

So that's all I know for the most part, very exciting news! I also have a mentor there. She is currently in her second year as a volunteer. She and I have already been in contact, she has been a huge help! I look forward to meeting you officially Michelle! She is from Virginia, how crazy is that??

I will leave you with a quote from my country director in his welcome letter to me-

"So, as you pack your bags for Asunción, try to leave your anxieties and expectations behind. Travel lightly with a mind open to the world of limitless possibilities that Peace Corps service in Paraguay offers you. Congratulations once again, and thank you for giving us the honor of traveling on this journey with you. Safe travels and see you soon at the airport in Asunción."

Party and 3 weeks.

A few weeks ago my mom and aunt threw me a going away party. And it was wonderful, I felt so special  loved and taken care of. A big big BIG thanks to my mother and my aunt Puff and uncle Dan for hosting and making this party happen. This party was special for many reasons. One being that in one house my family and friends showed up to support me and send me off well. I've never been a fan of birthday parties or graduation parties for myself. I don't like to be the center of anything and I get stressed out when different groups of people are gathered in my honor, its weird I know. So I wasn't sure how this party would go and it went great! Although I wish so many of my friends didn't live so far away! You will all missed.  The best part for me was seeing everyone gathered and getting excited for me to go to Paraguay. I needed to see that. Excited people are contagious!

That party exhausted me and my mother, but it was worth it and I loved it. I loved everything about it. I have always enjoyed putting on parties and gathering people close to me and entertaining them. But I felt that this party was unique in the way that the people who gathered entertained me in returned. I was entertained by your words, hugs, wishes, cards and sweet thoughtful gifts. It was all so special and such a blessing. I will carry all of that to Paraguay along with the many pictures my cousin Zak took. Thanks for that Zak! Also check out the cake below, my Aunt Lynn really went all out, thank you thank you! I promise it wasn't a real suitcase and we indeed ate it and it was good!

If you weren't able to make it to the party, we missed you! It was really such a good time. I wish I could see everyone before I leave, but that just isn't possible, so give me a call or something!  I have 3 more weeks starting today....wild and pretty amazing. Flights are booked and everything is set, this is really happening ya'll.

Here are some pictures from my party, more too come soon!