Staging has been exciting, fun, overwhelming, exhausting, but pretty much how I expected. We've been doing lots of meetings in a conference room all about expectations, why we're here, what our anxieties are, how we plan to overcome challenges, logistics of actually getting to Uganda and doing icebreakers. Although, for the first time in my life, I wish we had done a few more name games. Everyone is starting to blend together, and I feel so silly having to ask for everyone's name a zillion times.
Probably the best thing about staging is realizing, oh wait, I'm not alone? Our training class is going to become a big family in the upcoming weeks, which we're all looking forward to. Right now, it's just the: where are you from? What did you study? Where did you go to school? What did you do before Peace Corps? Oh, and I found some girls that are into yoga, so hopefully I can keep that goal at least! We've already discovered that we all have very similar aspirations; more importantly, very similar anxieties. Which included everything from not fitting into the community to big spiders in our beds. In one of our group activities, we had to draw our aspirations- the most important for me was making a difference, in any way. Someone came up with drawing change over time (the goofy mathematical way, of course):
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I liked that idea: the change needs to be slowly, over time. We can't just show up and expect to suddenly change everything in some whirlwind, stellar project.
While I thought I was prepared, luggage-wise, in every sense of the word, I found out, unfortunately, I wasn't. Why did I think it was a good idea to buy new electronics, but never use them or test them out before I left?! When my roommate offered to fill up my external hard drive with all kinds of movies, tv shows and books, I jumped at the opportunity for free entertainment! Realized that my external hard drive was not formatted for Macs and would not even accept documents or information. Thankfully, dad's only a quick email away, and walked me through the formatting steps. I was stressing that I would have to find some place to buy a new one. Same thing happened with my camera... yeah I know. I couldn't get it turn on, even though I had charged it before I left. Then I couldn't get my computer to recognize it. Uhhh, another few emails were sent to my dad. I was actually the one to figure it out... the battery was in backwards. Honestly. Unbelievable. Speaking of photos, here's a silly one of me with all my luggage. Remember, it's for two years, so try not to judge! Plus, it seems like most people feel like they overpacked but can't figure out what in the world to get rid of. I'm done worrying about it.
Despite some technological setbacks, things have gone very smoothly so far. We have to "get up" at 2 am tomorrow to check out of the hotel and board a bus to JFK. I'm taking advantage of the internet, electricity for charging all my techie goodies and the hot showers. And just for Grant, I had a famous Philly cheesesteak, and yes, it was amazing.
Once we get to Uganda, we will be at the training center for the next two weeks, which means no communication. Usually, we would be going to our homestay families by the second week, but they're taking all possible precautions in light of the upcoming elections on February 18th. Hopefully by the third week, we'll be settled into our families so we can further our language and culture training.
Excited for the upcoming journey, while dreading the 15 hour flight! Next time you hear from me, I'll be in UGANDA. I'll try to post when I can. Love and miss you all.
Haha I love the math picture...I wonder who came up with that one :). I hope the past two or so weeks have gone well and that you're handling the transition okay. I told a few people at my work about what you're doing and they're all very impressed! A lot of them wished they had done something similar.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I got your fishy BR scarf in white. We can be twins even though we're 15 hours apart!