Anticipation

"A ship in harbor is safe - but that is not what ships are built for." ~ John A. Shedd

It’s hard to believe that just one year ago I was returning from my semester of study abroad in Paris, beginning my Peace Corps application, and here I am today, with only two weeks until I leave for Togo, West Africa. I survived the hurry-up-and-wait process of filling out paperwork, essay questions, gathering letters of recommendation,  meeting my recruiter for the oral interview, FBI fingerprinting, my notification of acceptance (hurray!), medical forms, more medical forms, and FINALLY, receiving my invitation! Whew….lots of hoops to jump through, but now I’m packing my bags.

Emotional days…. feeling joy and excitement for this new adventure, mixed with a bit of apprehension and anxiety, and also the sadness of leaving friends and family, including saying goodbye to my 16-year-old dog for the last time. However, serving in the Peace Corps has been one of my life goals for as long as I can remember, and I am SO happy to almost be on my way. I was assigned to work as a Girls Extension Agent in the GEE program (Girls Education and Empowerment), which I hear has recently been re-named EGE (English and Gender Equality). Can’t wait to meet my fellow volunteers for our staging in Philadelphia on July 10. 

As I sit here trying to figure out what is the most important, essential stuff to cram into these two bags, not to exceed 100 pounds, I am thankful for Internet access to great blogs and countless lists of recommendations by former PCVs. Time to relax now and enjoy good food, clean water, hot showers, and fun with friends…. then it’s ready, set, GO TO TOGO!!