A Direction

All right. I now know the purpose of this blog. It will be a means to record and remember my Peace Corps experience that's available to friends, family, and anyone else who feels like reading about it. As I am not leaving until mid-February, I'm not sure how exciting this will be until then.

Here's what I know so far:

I'll be departing on February 19th for three days of training in a major US city (I'm hoping for DC because I've never been there), known as the "staging" event, which I've heard is a flurry of paperwork and information. After the staging event, my fellow trainees and I will fly to Ploiesti (about 30 miles north of Bucharest), Romania for three months of in-country training, known as pre-service training (PST). PST includes language, culture, individual program, and safety training and during that time, the Peace Corps Romania staff will determine which town and specific program each trainee is best suited for. I already know that I'll be working as an Environmental Youth Adviser, focusing on helping to increase awareness on environmental issues in the community, especially the youth. When the PST is over, each trainee will be delivered to their new community to hopefully integrate, make some great friends, help out in any way possible, and fulfill 2 years of service.

I am as excited as I am nervous. The Reno area has been home for nearly my entire life and I feel a protective attachment to this big-little city, but it is high time for something new. My little beacon of neon and 24 hour diners will always be here. Besides, every single person I've talked to who's served as a Peace Corps volunteer says it's the best thing they've done in their life and that they come back as a different, stronger person. I hope I can say the same in three years.

I've been in the process of applying and waiting for nearly a year now and I've come to know a little bit about the Peace Corps, so if any reader has a question, please please feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to answer. I didn't think I'd do the whole Peace Corps blog thing, but it's become clear that people are curious about it, and I'm all for spreading information. So ask/comment away. Even if you think the Peace Corps stinks, I'd like to hear from you, as long as you're respectful about it.

Guess that's it for now.