Pockets

It started subtly. It was something small and seemingly slight. Yet it was the beginning of a change that can only be felt as that wonderful mixture of terror, freedom, and excitement all at once in sudden bursts throughout the day. 

First it was a card. My drivers license to be exact. It will expire while I am overseas and I do NOT want to retake my driving test. So in I went to get a new one. Not a big deal, I give one up and another one comes in a few weeks. 

Chug. . . 

Next came a key. Tiny and harmless, I had plenty of them. What was one off of the ring?

Chug, chug. . . 

Then something a bit bigger, my car. Sure it was just a key too, but there was something that belonged to me attached to it. Oh well. No use for a car in Benin.

Chug, chug, chug. . . 

Then goes another key (work)

Chug, chug, chug, chug. . . 

And another (grandparent’s house) and another (bike lock) and another (apartment)

Chug, chug, chug, chug, chug. . . 

Now go the cards; King Soopers, Safeway, Cost-Co, Library, Student ID, Insurance, First Aid, CPR, Scouts, Debit, Credit. Away they go into storage.

Chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug. . . 

My Wallet is getting thinner and thinner, my key chain is lighter and lighter till there is nothing left. And that’s when the feeling hits.

I don’t feel scared, worried, excited, nervous or all those things people tell me I should feel (or what they think they would feel in my shoes). I simply notice one seemingly insignificant fact. . . 

My pockets are empty.

Now I’m just excited to find out where this train is going to take me. 

 

T-minus 21 days

With 21 days left till I leave for Philly my life is about to kick into high gear. I've sold my car, gaming systems, custom desktop, and bulky old laptop in exchange for what most Americans would call 'survival gear'. . . and I couldn't be happier.

That said  my nerves are starting to kick in. Not in a "oh my god what the hell was I thinking" way, more of "a giant stay puft marshmallow man is approaching and I'm about to make smores" way.

As the 23rd gets closer I expect to feel something like this. . .

 Aren't graphs fun?!?

 I have also started laying out the things I plan on packing for Benin. Here is what I've got so far.

This is not quite everything I plan on bringing as I'm still waiting on my friendly UPS and Fed-Ex delivery men  to bring me various other packages.
Until then I plan on enjoying hot showers, meat, 52 inch televisions, road-trips, and my family and friends.

From applicant to invitee

Today I was able to attend a RPCVCO (the RPCV organization in Colorado) brunch for invitees, nominees, and just about anyone else who was interested in Peace Corps.

I was able to learn a variety of new fun and interesting factoids to add to my gee whiz collection. The most notably of which being that as I'm left handed life is going to be rather interesting.

• While I was always told that people used their left hands to wipe once finished with certain bodily functions, I had never correlated it to a real life possibility until today. While I don't plan on partaking in this particular facet of life, I will have to adjust certain habits I've made over the years. No more reaching for things at stores, waving, shaking hands, etc. with my left hand

• Bug Hut! Not only is it fun to say and gives you an interesting childlike image of a house for bugs, but it is my supposed new best friend. An RPCV from Burkina Faso recommended I get one or suffer the curse of scorpion face stings for the next few years (Mosquito nets. . . they're not just for Mosquitoes anymore!). Though I might just bring my tent minus the rain cover to save $money$.

• The Rotary Club is my 2nd newest best friend cause they give me money for stuff =D. Namely for any project that I need funding for whilst I'm overseas.

I also received some info from my country desk about what to do between now and staging. Study French, keep studying French, and oh yea. . . study more French. But in the meantime they also gave me links to connect with fellow volunteers in my group through facebook and Google groups, there are 64 of us in PSL 25 (our class number in Benin)!!!

Done and done

I received and accepted my invitation to Peace Corps today!

They sent me a packet the size of a college textbook about my new host country and program that I have been riffling through all day. It has my official offer letter, another one 'from' the president along with info for me, my family, and even more paperwork to fill out. I swear I have given them 9 resumes over the course of this process and they still want another updated one.

I'm not leaving till the end of June which can't come soon enough or take too long. There is sooo much to do and so many people to say my goodbyes to. But all of this in good time.

For those of you who don't know how to use Google maps, here is where I'll be for the next two years.

http://businessafrica.net/africabiz/countries/benin.php

I've still got a lot of research to do, but I'm more than excited about whats to come.
Till then I practice my French and find a family member to push all of my belongings off onto.