I'm in the process of constructing a thorough (and time consuming) "FAQ's" post, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share a few developments.
I finally started packing! I have 90% of my clothes already packed in one suitcase, and it weighs less than 30 pounds! I'm glad, because the less my clothes weigh, the more my books can weigh...and the idea of going two years with only a handful of books in my possession is saddening.
Speaking of books, another Peace Corps volunteer recommended an awesome website called Project Gutenberg. It's full of free ebooks that you can download for a Kindle or just to read on your laptop. The catch is, they're all books published before 1923, because the copyright has to expire for free distribution to be legal. Personally, I'm a fan of books with pages, but I do have those luggage requirements to think about....so this'll certainly do. I downloaded a dozen books, and I'm especially looking forward to reading Les Misérables and The Wasteland.
Finally, I'm getting involved with a Peace Corps journal project called Snapshots of Service. Two journals will be mailed between 50 Peace Corps volunteers in all different regions, countries, and areas of work, with each volunteer contributing two journal entries over the course of their two years of service. It'll be awesome to receive that book in the mail and have the opportunity to read about the experiences of other volunteers. Who knows, it might even get published one day, or at least published as an ebook. You can read more about the project here. My bio should be up on that website in a few days!
That's all for now...keep your eyes peeled for my FAQs post, I should be publishing it by the end of the week. (And if you have burning questions that I should answer in that post, ask 'em! I like comments. Oh, and I like being followed, too. Thank you, followers!)
P.S. I learned how to embed hyperlinks in my blog today!! Coding is fun.
Kelly, we were excited to hear that there is an 80 lb luggage allowance. With the triplets weighing less than 50 lbs total, you still have plenty of room for your clothes and personal things! You won't need books if you take them with you... they're entertaining enough. :-)
ReplyDeleteJust kidding of course. In all seriousness, congrats! We are excited for you to be going on this journey, and can't wait to hear all about it on your blog, and see pictures. It is awesome that you are making this commitment to helping in Guyana.
One more thing - the bananas - I hated bananas for years, until Jolene told me to try them with peanut butter. PERFECT combo! Seriously, if you like peanut butter, and hopefully you can get some in Guyana (??) it will make your banana eating experience A LOT better.
Love, Perri, Brian, Nolan, Charlotte, & Ella
The thing I want to say most - in writing and for posterity - is how very proud both Dad and I are of you...and how fortunate the people of Guyana are to be reaping the benefits of your generosity of spirit. Since you were a little girl, you have wanted to make a difference in people's lives. This you have done in ways both small and large. The Peace Corps experience will, however, eclipse all of the giving you have done to date; giving of which you've never thought too much at all because it's who you are.
ReplyDeleteYou will come home from this journey enriched in ways you've never dreamed possible, and the people you meet will remember you (as you will them) their entire lives. The experience will define your life and color the way you look at and interact with the world. And...I'm already seeing that it will affect many of the people who love you as well.
What an adventure! Stay safe, and enjoy the ride~
Love, Mom
Hey Congrats! this is very exciting! how did you get involved? was it while you were still at tcnj? or after you graduated? and did your major play any role in this? I always thought of doing the peace corps, but I've been a little scared and worried and the fact that I now know someone who is going is very reassuring and makes me want to know more and maybe after my graduate program I can do something like this as well. Congrats on the blog too--you seem like a great writer.
ReplyDelete-Jasmine Desai