Single Digits

Tonga in....9 days! And I'm already bad at keeping up with my blog. Oops. I've been meaning to write for a little while now but just haven't gotten around to it. Better late than never, I guess.

I leave in less than two weeks. I'm not sure I've fully grasped the situation as of yet, but maybe it is better that way. I am not packed, I have not purchased everything I need, and I have paperwork I still have to fill out. But it'll get done. I work best under pressure...I hope.

Instead I have spent time just chilling at home, hanging out with friends, and reading. I went to DC this past weekend to see my brother, Jeff, as well as some friends from college. Jeff and I went to King's Dominion (an amusement park in VA) on Saturday which was super fun. We also saw some track kids Friday night. It was really nice to get to spend time with Jeff and see him one more time before I leave. I feel very lucky that I got to see him twice in one month! He is my absolute bestest friend in the world and I adore him more than anyone else.

After hanging with Jeff, I met some friends Sunday for a picnic. I got to see some TriDelta girls who live in the area which was amaaaaaaazing because I miss Delta and those girls so freaking much, it is unbelievable. I saw Smullen again while in DC, so that was nice too. And I also got to see LSG, Lea, and Kev! Kev flew over from Indiana to be with us for a few days which was incredibly nice of him. We stayed at Lea's Sunday and Monday night, before heading to Baltimore late Tuesday night and staying a hotel there for our early flights. I honestly can't say how happy I am that I got to see the three of them. We had great meals, wandered around DC, went to coffee shops and bars, snuggled. Nothing too exciting but that's how we roll. Just spending time together. At one point we were in Laura's apartment with Kev, Lea, and I dozing on the couch while Laura did work at the table. The set up of the room was even similar to that of Newell 26 and everything was the same as senior year. It was perfect. When it came time for Kev and I to leave, we all just sat at the table at Laura's in silence. It's weird to think that we might not see each other again for a very long time when being together feels so natural.

When I came home Wednesday we went out for dinner for Nicole's birthday- we actually got Nicole, Bria, Hannah and I together at the same time! Amazing. And Ally is coming home this weekend so that will be awesome and we will for sure get the five of us together. Can't wait!

So while it was really good to go to DC and see everyone, it was also kind of sad. I couldn't help but think about how that is the life I'd be living if I weren't joining the Peace Corps. I'd for sure have found a way to be in DC. I'd be near my brother, track kids, Deltas, and my very best college friends. It would be amazing. And even if I weren't able to be in DC and had to stay home for a bit while job searching, I would have my best friends since elementary school right there with me. But, on the other side of that, it also reminded me that I am so genuinely lucky. I have the most amazing friends in the world. I don't have to worry about losing touch with them or having our friendships fade before I get back. In a sense the people that I am sad about leaving are the same people who let me know that it is okay, and even wonderful, to go.

I don't mean for any of that to sound as if I am doubting my choice to join the Peace Corps. I'm most definitely not. It is what I've wanted to do since junior year in high school and that hasn't changed. It was just interesting to have a little snapshot into the alternative path my life could've taken. And who knows, DC might be where I end up after the Peace Corps (if all goes according to plan) and some people will still be there. Best of both worlds, baby. But that's not for awhile and I certainly don't want to wish my time in Tonga away.

All in all, I'm very excited to go. Now, about that packing and paperwork...

Invitation!

So, as most of you already know, I recently received my invitation to serve in the Peace Corps. I leave for the Kingdom of Tonga on October 5th, where I will be a Primary School Teacher for the next few years. The departure date is coming up pretty quickly and it was a bit of a surprise. My application was originally under consideration for positions departing for Sub-Saharan Africa in November. Late on Sunday the 22nd, while I was visiting camp friends in Westchester, I got an email from Placement asking if I would be okay with being considered to head to the Pacific Islands in October. I was a little hesitant since it was sooner than expected, but then again, it was the Pacific Islands... After talking to my mom and tearfully telling Jeff that I would only consider it if he promised I would get to see him before I left, I emailed back and said I was willing to be considered. The next morning when I checked my email, I had a response saying thank you and my invitation was in the mail! The actual invitation packet came on that Tuesday, the 24th and I said yes on Wednesday. To Tonga I shall go!

It feels a little weird to actually be preparing to leave for the Peace Corps. Up until my junior year of high school I had fully planned to be a preschool teacher. Then I did a project on the Peace Corps for World Lit/Geo and decided that's what I wanted to do. So for six years I have planned on this part of my life and here it is. I opened my application in October 2009, submitted it in March of 2010 (okay okay, so I was a BIT of a slacker when it came to the application), interviewed in April, got nominated in May, medically cleared at the end of June, and invited in August. Quite a process, although once I submitted my application it did go more quickly than I expected. Now there is so much to do before I go! It is a little overwhelming, but exciting nonetheless.

I will try and keep everyone updated about my experiences getting to and living in Tonga. For any of you who experienced my epic blogging failure while in Trinidad, I promise I will be a little bit better this time around- although, to be honest, that isn't saying much. You'll still have to be pretty patient!