I am sitting in Dulles airport (on the floor, running on zero hours of sleep, trying to keep track of 4 large bags) trying to mentally prepare myself for the next 23 hours of travel (and if I am being totally honest, I want to vomit). Why not reflect on what I've learned in my first 19 hours of officially being in the Peace Corps family. Here is what I learned in 7 hours straight yesterday:
1) Everyone in my cohort has challenges and difficulties that they will have to overcome
2) I am emotional
3) We will fail
4) Life will go on when we are gone
5) Things and people (including ourselves) will be different when we return
6) Peace Corps is a 24/7 job, people are always watching
7) Breathe and take things one task at a time
8) Things happen for a reason
9) Different doesn't mean wrong
10) We're starting at zero, anything we do is a success
11) I push people away who aren't like me
12) I am a take charge person
13) It is important to learn from failures
14) I am about to go on the adventure of a lifetime (I already knew this)
Yesterday, I spent 7 hours in a room with a man who was trying to make us cry (only to really prepare us for what is about to come). I did not cry. For me, that was a success and gave me faith that I CAN do this. Deep breaths, one foot in front of the other, one thing at a time - my mantra for the next 27 months.
I can't wait to follow your adventures. Glad your over there and safe. Take care!!