and so, this

Things have been hectic here lately. Taking a six day trip up and down the coast of California left me pressed for time to tie up some last minute loose ends, but I'm glad I did it. I got to see how a lot of my friends are doing, some of whom I hadn't seen in years. And seeing that same despondent struggle, the aimlessness of searching for work or internships in this bleak recession, the post-grad syndrome of what to do next, the theme of my generation in our early 20's, made me glad I chose to join the Peace Corps. Of course, emotionally, mentally, it's not as though I've matured more than my peers, but at the very least there is a sense of purpose now, of direction. And it's pulling me in its tide, calling out to me, to go forth, to live.

Leaving is never easy, for any amount of time. Two years can be long or short, depending on your perspective. And of course, there's always the possibility that I could be staying longer, which I think would be good, as it would mean that I really like it there, enough to prolong my stay. Regardless, I don't think this experience could be anything short of "life-changing." Who knows what sort of things could happen during my stay in Micronesia? There are too many possibilities to consider, but I'm relishing in the uncertainty of it all.

The day after tomorrow I'll be leaving for Honolulu for my staging event, or pre-departure orientation. Then shortly thereafter, for Kolonia, Pohnpei, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia. There I'll stay for about five weeks for pre-service training until the specific site of where I will be serving for the next two years is made known to me. I think then there will be another five or so weeks of on-site training, and then finally I'll be a full-fledged volunteer. It's a lot of steps to go through to even begin the work I'll be doing, but I'm excited to go through it.

The myriad of reactions people give me when I tell them I'm leaving for the Peace Corps is amusing. My mom is pretty calm about it, bordering nonchalance. My grandma is unsurprisingly sad that I'm leaving. My grandpa is excited for me, having experienced working abroad himself in Saudi Arabia from 1984 to 1989. My brother can't comprehend why anyone would want to do it, being the most attached to material things and the amenities of modern life in my family. And there are a few friends who just look at me incredulously, blurting out sacrilegious expletives.

But for the most part, I know I have their support. And I am anxious to see how things will change in the time I'm gone, hoping that change will be positive. And I'm anxious to see how I will change as well. It's hard to imagine what kind of person my experiences in the Peace Corps will mold me into, and it's hard to believe that from here on out, I will bid farewell to who I am now. But I have no doubt I will become a better person - someone more patient, more mature. And I am eager for the metamorphosis that will transpire.

And so, it's come to this. Just a day and a half or so left before these cogs of change start spinning. Dry the rust off these gears and chains, suffering oxidization from months of inactivity. We'll get this show started soon.