Dear friends, I am sitting in the Munchen airport for a 9 hour layover on my way to Republic of Georgia and think it is time to begin my blog since I now begin my journey. I don’t know much about doing blogs but hope I can share my thoughts and experiences with all of you who have voiced interest. First, let me thank you once more for your support and encouragement over the last nine months. I really does “take a village” so get me here, so THANK YOU! Many of you have asked similar questions, so I will do a little FAQ section on this first post.
THE BLOG: Now I hope to write only maybe once/week, so as not to bore you. And my posts will be SHORT, with the exception of this first one, which will be LONG. I turned off the comments section of the blog at this time, so it’s just one way info. But please feel free to email me if you have questions or thoughts. I fear I will have very limited Internet use, so please don’t expect timely responses. If you do have an emergency, Amanda, Matt and Mom all have an emergency Peace Corps number for me.
THE DISCLAIMER: I ask forgiveness in advance for being pedantic, preachie, or the other obnoxious things I know I can be guilty of (OK, also bad grammar). I think I’m going to learn a lot, be humbled a lot, and be excited a lot. That can manifest itself poorly in written language. So please forgive me. I also do realize that I have I am representing the USA as well as Peace Corps, so will be a little limited in my ‘venting’ but you understand.
WHY PEACE CORPS: In 2013 my new years resolution was to positively impact people’s lives by making active, mindful decisions about my future, not just roll along from year to year complaining or being bored. I also want to model behavior of which my children could be proud, and I didn’t feel I was doing that successfully. I looked at several mission groups but felt that with 2 children still in college and an elderly mother, I felt it most responsible to go with an organization that could ‘get me out of harm’s way’ quickly. And Peace Corps has the resources to do that. NO, I didn’t have a lifelong yearning to join the Peace Corps, but I became more and more impressed the more I learned about it.
Peace Corps Goals:
1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans
THE PROCESS: 9 months of application, interview, physicals, dental, financial, background check, recommendations, and aspiration statements, planning and organizing. I found out that only about ½ of applications become volunteers. One can choose one's ‘segment’ but not location. I signed up for economic/business development and will be doing organizational development work with NGOs (non government organizations), which I like and did when I was with the IBM Global Services Internet Consulting group.
CURRENT STATUS: OK, so here is where it gets CRAZY! I was assigned and accepted a position with Azerbaijan, on the Caspian Sea. About 40 of us that were going over as a group for 3 month of language/culture/safety/health training 2 days before shipping out AZ decided they didn’t want us and we were told not to get on the plane! WOW, so here I was in Denver getting a ride to the airport, with condo rented, car committed to Matt, no job, no health insurance(!). So this is the first test in being flexible… for me and for the kind friends and family that offered me ports in the storm. THANKS John and Marge, Mom and Meg, Gari, Lucy, Reggie, Matt, and many more…
After diligent work by the PC office I looked at Philippines, Panama, and Micronesia, which didn’t work out. They finally found a spot for me in the Republic of Georgia, leaving April 26th. So enjoyed another set of goodbye sessions with many of you great people, had Easter in the US with family, had a few wonderful birthday celebrations, hiked and sailed in Colorado, and got some more pilates sessions in. They flew me to DC Saturday, and we had a full day of meetings Sunday, after which we caught busses to Dulles for our journey. So we’re on our way!
FIRST PLEASANT SURPRISE: I was so focused on my job assignment, I did not think of my 53 fellow volunteer invitees. (We are not volunteers until after 3 months when we can speak the language and are sworn in). This group is FABULOUS! There are young and old, about 50/50 men and women, but all of them have some great story to share about what they have been doing, their plans and goals. 2/3 will teach English and 1/3 will be in Organizational Development with me. But after our 3 month’s training we all split up and are alone in our communities. They have Ph.Ds, many in International masters programs, non profit directors, many taking some time off between or before careers. They are all genuine, interested and committed. Isn’t thatan exciting atmosphere to be around? Many were refused the first time, and many took 1-2 years to get an assignment, so I feel honored to be easily accepted.
Lot of good info to follow but for now you can check out
http://www.gotravelyourway.com/2013/11/12/8-reasons-to-travel-to-georgia-and-tbilisi/ to find out some great things about Georgia. It is a beautiful mountainous country, a good business climate, and equally important famously generous people, great food and wine. My seatmate to Munchen is from Georgia so I learned a few key phrases already. I’m on my way!
http://www.gotravelyourway.com/2013/11/12/8-reasons-to-travel-to-georgia-and-tbilisi/ to find out some great things about Georgia. It is a beautiful mountainous country, a good business climate, and equally important famously generous people, great food and wine. My seatmate to Munchen is from Georgia so I learned a few key phrases already. I’m on my way!
I promise the next post will be in country - shorter and full of poignant revelations… if I can find electricity and Internet access! Thx, Kim
