Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Hello dear friends,

The news I have been waiting 16 months to hear arrived in the mail yesterday afternoon, May 2, 2008. On April 3 I received the long awaited phone call only to hear disappointing news that broke my heart. I wasn't going to Africa. Due to my knee surgery 3 years ago, the Peace Corps felt that Central Asia would be a safer place for me. Central Asia is made up of Terkmenestan and Kazakstan and other countries of similar reputations. I was upset and confused and even hurt over the decision, but came to realize that where wasn't important. I did not join the Peace Corps to travel to Africa. I joined the Peace Corps to travel, gain life experience (become a better writer due to those experiences), and to make a difference in the world. So four weeks after my phone call, my letter arrived. My father picked up the mail like every other day and was shocked and happy to see the large packet waiting in the mail box marked Peace Corps. Now, out of all the ways I pictured finding out where I was going, I never imagined it would turn out the way it did. Dad called my sisters and my Grandparents to tell them where I was going, because he was able to read through the envelope as to my destination. I couldn't believe it. My younger sister called my cousin Ashely, who happened to be sitting in the passenger seat of my car next to me, and told her the news as well. So there you go. My Dad, sisters and Grandparents all knew the coveted destination. Armed with this knowledge, I couldn't possibly wait the 2 hour drive from Seattle to home to finally know the truth myself. So I called Mom who had just arrived home herself. She picked up the package, (after scolding my father) and looked through the envelope herself. She gasped. I said, "What? Where am I going? Georgia? Did I make it to at least Georgia?" My mother pauses, "No, you're going to the...." (I hold my breath) "The Philippines!" AAAAAAHHHHHHH! I screamed and my cousin instantly declared herself deaf forever. I was so happy I began to cry. My youngest sister decided that I had won the Peace Corps jackpot, proving that good things do come to those who wait. I am so relieved to finally know, to be happy where I'm going and to be blessed with such a lovely destination. Oh--and no, the Philippines is not in Central Asia. I don't know what that phone call was about. The Philippines is a series of islands in a tropical environment in the South China Sea. My departure date, which I learned upon my arrival at home, is August 13. I will begin orientation 8/13/08 in my stating city, which may be Seattle or San Francisco, and then leave from there for my 3 month training session in the country itself. I will live with two host families, but will not know where and whom until after training in November. I will be tutoring English in classrooms and orphanages, and will also help establish a library somewhere in the country. I will return to the states after my service November 2010, to those who are wondering. I still need to call the placement officer next week to confirm my whole-hearted acceptance of the assignment, and then it is official. I fill out more forms, but otherwise, I just wait to leave. And enjoy the moments shared with my family and friends. Thank you to all of you who have been waiting patiently with me. Your encouragement has helped keep my spirits high. I shall post again before I leave. Have a wonderful summer! More to Follow...