Good Morning All!
Today felt like a perfect day to get this blog up and running! Woke up with 100 things I needed to update the world on. I decided to start a blog so that all of my amazing family and friends can keep informed throughout this amazing journey. SOOOOO.....in case you have not heard IM MOVING TO THAILAND JAN 2013 (with the Peace Corps) annnnddd I RETURN IN 2015!!!! I know I know... "WHAT! OMG! ARE YOU SERIOUS! WOW TWO YEARS! NOOOO! I NEED YOU HERE! WHAT IF I GET MARRIED OR HAVE KIDS!" I've heard it all since announcing my latest endeavor. For the life of me I cant understand why so many are so surprised. Anyone who knows me knows I cant sit still for too long. The decision to accept my invitation to Thailand was not an easy one. Everything was falling in place for me. I recently graduated from the University of Ga with my Masters in Social Work. I had a job that I love, doing what I love, with great people. I was semi settling into the Athens, Ga life with my amazing friends and little big brother. And all of a sudden as I was eating lunch with a great friend of mine I receive an email. She will tell you, my heart and head were racing, my hands were shaking, and the only thing I could think was "is this really happening?".
This process was long and extensive to say the least. Although I knew I applied, I had not heard any updates recently, I assumed either I did not make this departure date or it was not in God's time. I accepted both and moved on. Well apparently, I was wrong. I then did one of the only things I know to do when I am overwhelmed with emotions; I called my amazing father! If you have never met this man... YOU SHOULD. The excitement and calm in his voice brought instant ease to my heart and mind. It took about 2 days (out of the 7 the Peace Corps allows for response) for me to pray and to realize that if this was not part of HIS plan for me, this door would not have been opened. Since that day I have not felt any emotion other than excitement ( no nervousness or anything haha YET) And that brings us to today!
If you are wondering what I will be doing here are my duties
• Improve life skills and adopting healthier
sexual and reproductive
health practices. The Ministry of Education has
defined and
prioritized the following as life skills.
o Appreciation for one’s own and other’s values
o Analyzing, making decisions and solving problems
creatively
o Building relationships with others
o Emotion development and stress management
• Develop skills for today’s work force including
improving
English, understanding of basic finances and
developing
leadership skills.
• Engage in serving learning so that youth are
community advocates
• Engage
caregivers and youth service providers
EXCITED YET! haha! I know I am! The month of December brings alot of sad times ( ending and closing pretty much everything) with the understanding that a new experience awaits! Also the month of December brings celebration i.e. brother's senior football gala, a number of graduates, and BIRTHDAYSSSS!! which means fun times and new memories with my wonderful family and friends. Between All of these fun-filled events, I have to find time to pack up, RIDE MY BIKE (hahaha), and prepare for departure. At this point, I may be a little behind on the packing up part =). The excitement has been overwhelming lately and it sends me off task, googling Thailand and everything about it. I will get it together TODAY ...hopefully.
A few important updates and reminders before I bring this first blog to a close... 1) please keep me in your prayers 2) I recently found out that my staging (orientation) will be in SAN FRANCISCO, CALI! anyone who is there on Jan 10 let me know!!!! 3) We are having a drop in early Dec 22 at my father's house in Augusta, Ga! I would love to see all of my families and babies 4) We are partying one last time, also in Aug, at XS LIVE on the 22nd as well. 5) I will be moving out of Athens soon any help would be great hahah ( free food for whomever volunteers) 6) Lastly, Dont forget to add this blog to your list of faves and check in!
Sawatdi ( goodbye in Thai actually its hello too but the Thai language is tonal pray for me hahah) or should i say Laeo Phop Kan Mai ( see you later =) )
