the future

And so it is with a phone call from a faceless name I can't remember, but only a cool and reserved voice transmitting through telephone wires and relayed into airwaves from some dusty office in the Peace Corps Headquarters building in Washington D.C., that my fate, my future for the next two and so years, came to be decided twelve hours ago this morning, Tuesday, June 15, 2010. And suddenly I am met with a surge of excitement, anticipation, and apprehension, not unlike what I had felt almost three years ago, before I set out on my journey to study abroad in Japan. But the one discerning factor from then and now is the overwhelming uncertainty I am faced with, for my destination is still yet to be disclosed. Moreover, the pool of places that I could potentially be sent to has grown tremendously, as the voice in my receiver earlier mentioned the organization's possible greater need for volunteers in Africa.

Africa, the Pacific Islands - two completely different regions, each with its own set of unique and individual countries full of people and customs and traditions. Maybe it's a sign of emotional maturity that I welcome either possibility equally, and would leave without hesitation regardless of where I am placed. Or perhaps I'm just desperate to leave this place and the memory of this year I feel like I've wasted. Or maybe it's a combination of both, but I'd like to think it's more of the former than the latter. While it's true the notion of wasting anymore time here in the states while my future stagnates frustrates and terrifies me, I think it's more to do with my life not advancing than the actual place itself that I really don't want. And being accepted in the Peace Corps is a sign that I'm finally taking that next step going on to next stage of my life. And after a year of what what was essentially being stuck in post-grad purgatory, I am relieved to know that I'm moving on.

In the days that follow, I will be expecting a letter to arrive. In this letter, the details of my assigned placement will be fully disclosed, including which country, and when I will be departing. And now that my year of nothing is nearing its end, I know I must do my best to spend my remaining time here wisely and productively.

Let's hope...