Reflections on Staging

I've officially made the transformation from Peace Corps Invitee to Peace Corps Trainee this weekend. After not knowing what to expect at all... of my training, of the specifics of my assignment, of the people I will be around for the next 27 months, etc., I feel very reassured about my decision to do this after staging.

When I first arrived in Washington DC, I must admit I had a slight fear of what the other people would be like and if I would find people that I clicked with and could see myself becoming friends with. I worried that other people would find fast friends and I would be left out. Luckily, that is not the case. We've had so much time to mingle and get to know one other the past two days that I feel like I at least know the other 48 people's names and even feel like I've been friends with a couple of them for years because we are clicking so well.

I feel reassured that other people have the same mixture of anxiety and excitment that I do. Its really important for me to remember that we are all in this together. I know that there will be days during my service that I feel frustrated or sad or lonely, and having such cool people to turn to when you are not in the best of moods is a real comfort to me.

These two days in DC have been really helpful, and not just in the way that they are intended to be, by giving us a lot of information that we need to help us stay safe and healthy and to be successful. The whole idea of not necessarily being home, but also not on the other side of the world has provided what I think will prove to be a crucial transition period. Its has been nice to be able to have my phone here and know that I'm still going to get to talk to whoever I want to at the end of the day and for as long as I want. Its been nice to be able to check my email or update my facebook one last time (as lame as that sounds). But I know after tonight all bets are off. I don't know when I will hear those voices on the phone again after we said goodbye tonight. I don't know how often I will be able to use the internet or when I will be able to purchase a phone in Tanzania. And that is both scarry and exhilerating. (On a side note, please feel free to write me using snail mail until I can get the other logistics figured out. I've always loved getting mail regardless.)

I'm really going to try to go with the flow and be flexible. Not to have too many expectations. Not to be worried about what I'm missing back home, but instead focusing on the incredible opportunities and experiences that I am going to have as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

I'm excited. I'm pumped. I'm psyched. I'm ready....