July 30-31 (The first 26 hours into the next 27 months of my adventure)
Staging or my brief orientation began
in Philadelphia while staying at the luxurious Sonesta Hotel, an image and
location I believed to be ironic to where I might be residing my next few
years. The amazing amenities, which included a shower that gave me hot water
immediately, the comfort of clean sheets and a warm bed, and the air
conditioning that kept the room at a constant cool breathable temperature;
these were luxuries I felt like were going to be greatly missed and appreciated
once I landed far away from a land I knew as home and comfort. Fast forward to
the meat of Staging, which included an extensive and packed itinerary. What the
itinerary had in store for me was a myriad of ice-breakers of getting to know
my cohort, being assigned some carry around money, getting documents signed,
sending documents home, understanding Peace Corps expectations and facts about
the organization, and just dots on the i and dashes on the t of being a part of
an agency/organization belonging to the federal government. No big deal.
The process of information receiving
and reciting seemed exhausting from what lack of sleep I had received over the
past few days (although will not even compare to what the PST “pre-service
training” schedule has me on), the adrenaline I was feeling during these 26
hours was an ecstasy I had never imagined or could ever have imagined. I was
about to embark on what was my dream for the past six years. Six years. That’s
sounds insane to say out loud… to even hear myself say it. And the people I
have come across and have had the fortune to interact with, it’s incredible
that their dreams have been matched for an even longer time spent waiting to
embark on this similar quest for humanity and service.
In the Botswana 17th
cohort there were 81 members. One had dropped out having found love; one of the
main reasons why people leave Peace Corps. I had already been exposed through
MI (Master’s International) meetings that people have their reasons for leaving
Peace Corps and that there is no dishonor in that. I know Peace Corps is not
for everyone and that’s something I had to wait and trust within myself that I
could or at least attempt to leave what I have known for the past 26 years. I had 80 new
faces that would soon become familiar, and names that possibly might stick, but
I knew and trusted that there will be some life-long friendships that would be
made in this particular adventure of mine that will take me through some of the
most rewarding experiences ever.
When I look back on my treasured
friendships over the years, it was definitely hard swallowing and regurgitating
goodbyes from the people that I feel I have made such deep connections with over my
life years. The separation from the familiar was not unknown, but the
separation from my family of those that have known me for all my life and seen me
through phases of awkwardness (which I think I will still go through for the
rest of my days) and growth that definitely cut deep. I had thoughts going back
to my last meal with friends, last dinner with my parents and siblings in
America, favorite last Korean dish, last night out with close friends with no
anxieties over transportation or being a victim based on my gender, and I
thought to myself… No more. We as human beings like to dwell and live in our
past, but it stops us from looking forward to the future. I am very guilty of
this act. But I know with my faith in God’s plan and purpose and my desire to
follow His calling has led me to this point and it will drive me farther than I
ever could imagine.
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