DISCLAIMER

This blog, "Vanuatu Adventures", is simply my personal reflection and in no way represents the opinions or beliefs of the Peace Corps or the US Government. Enjoy - and I hope to hear from you!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Movin' Along...

September 9th is just on the horizon...and believe it or not I think I'm ready!!  But whew -- what a crazy time it's been.  I've spent the last month getting ready to move from my loft and put 40+ years of "stuff" in storage.  However, when I got the estimate for 40+ years of storage, my "must haves" turned into "must sheds" -- so I've been going through closets, clothes, drawers and every nook and cranny - and have "pawned" off everything I can to my kids.  After trimming down considerably -- including divesting myself of lots of furniture -- the movers arrived on Tuesday to pack up everything -- and then arrived bright and early on Wednesday to load.  Yes, I breathed a big sigh of relief when the big red truck rolled away from the curb -- but must admit that my loft looked a bit forlorn and lonely -- kind of how I felt for a few minutes as well!  But just for a few minutes...I started thinking about the path ahead and swallowed the lump in my throat and furiously cleaned the rooms one last time. 

Earlier in the month I spent a week visiting family throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania - including getting my "fix" of crab cakes and steamed crabs.  I was able to spend time with everybody -- including a great day-long famiy reunion in Baltimore.  The weather cooperated -- and every day was filled with lots of memories and laughter -- so I feel well-armed to move ahead.

This month too I've been able to talk to a volunteer currently serving in Vanuatu -- as well as to a volunteer who recently returned from Vanuatu.  Their insights and tips have been absolutely invaluable and have really boosted my confidence as well.  I've also met another person from the Denver area who is heading off to Vanuatu in September.  He and I attended a Rotary meeting in Denver where we met a couple who spent 2 years in Vanuatu from 2006-2008.  Denver Rotarians are piloting a project to seek out opportunities to team with Peace Corps on projects across the globe, so we're hoping to find some teaming opportunities. 

So, most of the prep is in place.  I'm now camping at my daughter's home taking some time to decompress and relax -- and get my hair cut and colored one last time!!  After all...first things first!