Sunday, July 6, 2008

For my Grandpa

Right before one of our group's afternoon sessions someone stood up and suggested a trip to Sinaia the day after our 4th of July party to...and I quote..."Relax under a tree and read, or do some hiking". I said to myself "I should go, some fresh air will do me some good." There was no huge plan, people were just meeting up at the train station at 7:30 to head up to Sinaia.

Sinaia is a town up in the mountains. It's pretty small and people in my group had been there before and talked about how beautiful it was. I decided to go with no intentions on hiking, I just wanted to curl up under a tree and study my Romanian and relax a little. Little did I know...


So first off I hadn't been up before 7 the entire time I've been in Romania...so waking up at 6:30 really sucked. I got ready and headed over to the train station. I met up with a pretty big group of us, it had to have been 15 people. When I went to buy my ticket, which only cost like 9 lei, I only had a 50 lei bill on me. The woman behind the counter, which I had just seen collect an assload of smaller bills from the customer in front of me, flat out refused to take the 50 lei bill. I whipped out my credit card, which infuriated her more; and, forced to pick the lesser of too evils, snatched the 50 bill out of my hand and proceeded to give me the change from a drawer I could see filled with smaller bills. You gotta love the customer service in Romania!!! I actually empathized with the cashier, which is why I completely understood the eye roll she gave me as she counted out the 41 lei. I had been in her shoes before, and I had wanted so bad to do express the feelings she felt more than comfortable exposing me to. Unfortunately for me, when I was a cashier, I was forced to bottle up my frustrations, put on the most convincing smile I could, and deal with customers who were far bigger pains in the ass than I ever was to that Romanian cashier.


Tickets in hand, we boarded our train...the infamous Personal. The train rides I had taken to Bucharest were the class above Personal, if I remember correctly, and they were perfectly fine. The Personal is quite an experience though considering there is no assigned seating, and I was one of the unlucky people unable to find a seat. So I stood by the windows and figured the trip wouldn't be so long that I'd get uncomfortable standing the whole time. This train however, decided to take a half hour break in the middle of some random town...not even at a station. I gave up on thinking my jeans would stay clean and hunkered down on the floor next to the bathroom (other people were doing it too so I'm not that big of a weirdo). When the train finally started moving again and got to the next big station it parked itself for what had to have been an hour at that station. Basically, what should have been an hour and half train ride got stretched into three hours. It gave me a chance to connect with some fellow volunteers, though. Our conversations were about everything from Simpsons analogies (remember that one where Mr. Burns' train is stopped and when Smithers says their taking care of the problem it cuts to a bunch of engineers standing around a couch on the tracks scratching their heads? That's what I had assumed was happening to us as well), food service worker woes (OMG it was so nice to meet someone who understood how much BS the secret shopper program is), and pets back home (I was ecstatic to talk with someone who was as big an animal lover as I am). We finally reached Sinaia and I was about ready to catch the next train heading to Ploiesti and call it a day, but I figured I might as well make the ordeal worth while.

Our group first spent a few minutes regrouping, grabbing some food and drinks, before we made our game plan. I just decided to look up and admire the clouds that were swirling in front of my eyes, they looked so close! A few volunteers decided to break off, go up to the castle (which was the first electrified castle in Europe), and head over to a restaurant. I so wanted to go with them, but I assumed I'd be able to meet up with them after a quick little relaxation session under the tree the remainder of the group promised to lead me to. So up we started.


We were walking up through the town when we took a quick stop by a monastery in town. Another volunteer and I took a couple pics in front of it. Here is the picture that will live in infamy...for me at least.



That other volunteer and I could not have been in front of that monastery for more than 3 minutes. When we got out our group had vanished! I saw one person turning a corner really far ahead, so we started the process of catching up.

OMG! Ok so I had been trying to do a little jogging while in Ploiesti, and I'll be the first to admit I'm not in the best of shape, but I swear to you just WALKING up that hill almost made my lungs explode. The pathetic thing was, we were just walking through town, my feet were still hitting pavement...pavement at a 60 degree angle but pavement nonetheless!!! The other volunteer was doing fine, and I felt so bad for slowing him down. It was kind of funny though because he turned around and saw my wheezing ass and asked "Are you ok?" Through gasps for air I blamed my mild asthma for the problem. Once I gave up on the delusion of at some point catching up with the rest of the group I was able to snap a few cool shots along the way.























The only way I caught up with the group was after they stopped at the bottom of the mountain we were about to climb. You could imagine the look on my face when I realized the ordeal wasn't over yet. I was able to cover up the fact that I was completely winded while we were only at the base of the mountain pretty nicely in this pic though.











Before we started up the mountain there was a warning poster that I had to get a picture of because it looked so funny. And it's a serious warning, there was the very real possibility that we could run into a bear while walking up or climbing down the mountain. A group of volunteers had run into a couple of cubs a few weekends before in Sinaia and a group of volunteers who were out camping in a different town had a bear ransack their campsite at night, while they were in their tents! This picture is just so much different than the one of Smokey the Bear I had grown up with and loved so much.

So we started hiking. While most of the group decided they had to sprint up the mountain, I was so relieved when a fellow volunteer was just as content as I was to go up the mountain at a moderate pace.




A little ways through we saw this gorgeous water fall thing that I had to get a picture in front of.







Then I realized that if I told people back home that I had actually hiked up a mountain they would never believe me. So I whipped around in the middle of our excursion and had the volunteer behind me snap this dozy...preserving forever the evidence of what I had endured.










Right after that picture, the drama of what I was going through was alleviated, and I started thinking of how beautiful the scenery was( you know, now that I had a chance to admire it because I had caught my breath). Then I started thinking about my Grandpa Johnson and how he would have loved to have been there with me. I know I complain a lot about "the great outdoors" and camping and make it very evident that I would much rather spend a weekend in a nice hotel and go sight seeing in a city than spend a weekend camping (I think it's PTSD from how many times my parents dragged me camping), but I inherited from my Grandpa a genuine appreciation of everything that nature has to offer. Once I realized that at the moment I started to take in how beautiful everything around me was my Grandpa was right next to me appreciating everything too, I started to get real teary eyed (as my Dad would say). I hadn't really been able to fully absorb the fact that he was gone, but I feel that there could not have been a more perfect time for me to accept that my Grandpa was gone, because it was at that moment that I realized he would always be with me.


So the rest of the hike up the mountain was infinitely enjoyable, and after over two hours of hiking I could not have asked for a more beautiful reward when we got to the top of the mountain.




I finally had reached the point where I could do what I had gone to Sinaia for in the first place, relax under a tree and study...only there was a lot more relaxing, and talking, going on than actual studying. Oh and this is another little tid bit that no one back home is going to believe. While we were sitting on our coats in the field there were all sorts of bugs flying around us, bees of course included. A volunteer who was quite aware of my bee-phobia was immensely helpful in calming me down (that whole pretend you're in a bubble thing really works!). And after a while, believe it or not, I was able to relax, bees whizzing past my ears and everything! Here's a picture of some of us hanging out in the field.







After a couple hours at the top of the mountain I needed to head down to use a proper toilet (no way I'm poppin a squat...ever!) Me and Jessica (the volunteer who climbed up with me) headed down together. We made sure to talk loudly and clap and make other noises because we were both kinda freaked out about running into a bear. The best part was, we headed down before the rest of the group did, but they beat us to the bottom of the town after we had used the restroom at this pimpin hotel and checked out a little market. It didn't matter though, I was just so happy to make it out alive, as evidenced by this picture of myself relieved and safely at the bottom of the mountain. That's also to park where I also could have hypothetically sat under a tree and read without having gone up the hill...but what fun would that have been?




The whole group needed some just of sustenance after all that hiking, so we tried a restaurant, but after pretty much everyone got in on the group heading to the fast food stand I decided to tag along with the people going for the cheaper option. I was happy to see they offered a cheese sandwich, and it ended up being pretty delicious, kind of like a cheeseburger with no burger and a huge hunk of melted, battered, and fried cheese.





We headed to the train station and got on the first train for Ploiesti. It was a nice Accelerat, I got to sit in a cabin and everything. I had it all to myself too, which gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day and give my butt some time to recuperate (I pretty much felt like I had done a billion lunges...so I felt pretty good!)


That was my experience in Sinaia! Pretty fun in an unexpected way, and I'm sure with two years here I'll have plenty more chances to experience and appreciate the mountains again.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Proud to be one of those 18 million cracks

I was so grateful that my host family went out for the night early this afternoon, it meant I was able to do some channel surfing in the kitchen. As usual, I hit CNN International, and to my chagrin I saw an auditorium full of anticipation and a news feed which read something to the effect of "Hillary motorcade has yet to leave Clinton residence". It hit me that I was going to be able to watch her dropping out of the race speech from start to finish!



I remember last year, when I was flipping through the news stations back home and I caught a Hillary rally in a school auditorium. It wasn't a big deal at all, but I felt fortunate to have seen it. I remember listening to what she had to say and I couldn't help thinking "Man, she is going to make an awesome President". I based my decision to vote her in the primaries partially on what I had heard that evening. My friends talk about how inspiring Obama is, and God knows I agree with them; but hearing Hillary that night really had inspired me.



I watched the 2004 Democratic National Convention from Guadalajara while I was studying abroad there. I remember seeing Obama speak and being as impressed as everyone else was. After the 2004 election catastrophe, I remember talking to a friend about how awesome it would be if Obama ran in 2008. Her remark "He's too junior" has been echoed countless times by pundits and candidate hopefuls this entire primary season (and now this presidential campaign). I told my friend that in a perfect world I would love for Hillary to run, but I was afraid how divisive she has been painted as. My dream ticket then...which stayed the same during the primaries...was Clinton/Obama.

I had a big decision to make for the California primary. This was the first election that I honestly had too many great potential candidates to choose from. After educating myself about the candidates as best I could (including taking one of those "which candidate you agree with the most" quizzes several times) I narrowed it down to three people I wanted to vote for. First was Dennis Kucinich (pause for laughter) because a lot of what he said I identified it, especially when he said his father was a Teamster. But I came to the conclusion that voting for Kucinich based on principle would take away a much needed vote for a candidate who has a real shot at winning (it would be like voting for Nader during 2000 or 2004).

So I decided I had to make a choice between Obama and Clinton, and after much soul searching I decided to vote for Hildog. So I tried to keep track of the primaries and caucuses both in country and abroad, until one day...

I was waiting for my Romanian language class to start when one of my classmates (fellow Peace Corps Trainee) came into the room and said "It's official, Obama got the nomination!" A general cheer went through the room (of about 6 people), I tried to join in, but if you know me then you know my poker face is non-existent. Another PCT even came up to me and said "You're a Hillary supporter aren't you? I could tell by your reaction." I was excited that the primary race was finally over, but I have to admit it would have been nice to see Hillary move on to the general election.

So it was in this spirit I watched her concession speech. I was so happy my host family was out of the house because I was crying pretty much during the entire thing, out of pride and disappointment.

One thing that upset me was hearing the pundits say "If only she had spoken the way she did in her concession speech during the primaries, she could have won." I know I'm just one person, but I was moved by Hillary's speeches throughout the primaries. I also couldn't believe all the speculation that Hillary would foster division in the Democratic party up to the convention. I feel comfortable enough with what I know about Hillary Clinton and it is ridiculous to think that the woman who throughout the primaries continually said that while she thinks she's the best person for the Democratic presidential nomination, she would support whoever won, would jeopardize the Democratic party's chances at winning the General Election. I think it's fairly safe to say that members of any political party agree on basic principles and will do whatever they can to see a person who shares and would foster those principles be President. Anyway, all that speculation was put to rest time and time again during her concession speech, and I could not have been prouder.

Later, when I went out to a restaurant with some other PCTs, I was surprised to find myself in a minority position in my Peace Corps Group...or at least I was the only person who admitted voting for Hillary. I have to admit though, it was nice to be able to sit down with a group of people and discuss our opinions and reasons for voting the way we did for the primaries without having to feel ashamed.

So I move onward and upward through the general campaign, and of course as an Obama supporter!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

There are no cats in Romania!

Hey Guys!!!

Quick post cuz I don't have much time left on my battery. OH, and give yourself a big hug from me if you figured out my post title is a take off on a song from "An American Tail". I did it in honor of my little kitty who I left behind a week ago today who I miss very much! That and there are lots of stray dogs here, and I've only seen two cats in the past 4 days.

So I'm in Romania as I type and you read! It's amazing here! The Peace Corps has kept me so busy this whole week that the first time I had to catch up on my jet lag was today! I went to sleep at 6 last night and woke up at 12:30 this afternoon!!!

I can't wait to get into my language classes because the language barrier is very apparent to me, though I am having lots of fun learning new words and pantomiming with my host family! I can't wait to actually be able to communicate with them at a level higher than that of a 2 year old. My host mom and bro actually speak English, so I'm not in too big of a pickle.

I LOVE the food here!!! Yes even though I'm a vegetarian. There's this awesome soup called chiorba. The PC materials call it sour soup but it's so much more than that! It's like this really awesome watery tomato soup with loads of veggies in it.

There are thunder storms here!!! I'm so happy cuz I LOVE rain and thunder. It seems everywhere I spend a significant amount of time in ends up having awesome thunder storms.

I haven't experienced any huge culture shock. The people here are just as nice as everyone has told me they would be. My PC group is awesome and talking with them makes me feel kind of inadequate so far as travel and teaching experience goes.

I start training tomorrow guys, so wish me luck. Keep an eye out for a more in depth blog soon, should I have the time.

I love y'all.

Noapte Buno!!! (good night)

Monica

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"Now you get da hell outta here!"


When I was reading through the blogs of PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers) I noticed a theme: loads of posts describing the waiting process, one post over the excitement over the invitation, and then a post about how there is not enough time to get ready. That is the trap I have fallen into. I would like to think my situation is at least a tad excusable since I didn't get my invitation until a month and half before my departure date. It's not like I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs while I was waiting for my invite, there's only so much you can prep for when you have no idea where you're going. Whoops, there I go again with the excuses, sorry.


Anywho today is my last day at work and I'm really saddened by it. The work environment over here at TES is one of the most positive environments that I have worked in. During the entire application process everyone here has gone out of their way to show their support. I'm going to miss all the laughs I've shared and all the commerodery fostered by this group of wonderful people. I'm glad I'll be able to keep in touch witht hem through this blog, which I will make every effort to update regularly ;) I can only hope my coworkers in Romania are just as crazy as these guys :P


I am more or less ready to head out. I actually had this terrible nightmare a couple weeks ago. It was such a weird dream, I woke up in the dream at like 6 o'clock in the morning on the day I was supposed to leave. My mom came in and asked me when my plane was leaving. I don't know how it was there, but you know those maps they put up on the screens of international flights that show you which countries you are flying over? Well I looked over at one of those and it showed a plane inching its way toward Romania. I guess in my dream when the airplane on the screen stopped over Romania that meant that my flight was going to leave for Romania. At any rate, I looked at the departure time and this clock was counting down from one hour. It was weird because my actual flight is scheduled to leave around noon on Sunday. Well, I had an hour to get ready, and in my dream I was as prepared as I was in real life at that time (I didn't even have my duffles then!). I started scrambling around trying to throw some stuff together. Then I just froze from the panic attack and starting freaking out because there was no point in even trying, I wouldn't be able to get anything decent together in time to make it to the airport. Up until the moment I woke up in a cold sweat I pretty much alternated from rushing around my house trying to throw crap in a backpack to breaking down and sobbing because there was no way I would make it in my dream.

You think I would have been scared straight after a dream like that. I don't know if it's a problem that plagues my generation or if this is a genetic trait passed down from my family but I'm only motivated to get down to business when the stress factor is high. Don't get me wrong, I've started packing and have taken care of paper work-ish issues, I'm just not as near a final packing job as I would like to be. I'm kind of afraid I'm not bringing enough stuff, but every RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) and PCV I've talked to has said that they packed WAY too much. I'm trying to keep it simple, and I think I have everything I need, it's just not in the bags yet. So if a situation like my dream comes up I'll at least be able to scramble and throw a decent pack job together (not that I'll put it off for that long or anything).

I'm thinking I'll be able to fit everything in my three bags, which I kept within the Peace Corps dimension requirements, but I'm afraid I'll go over on the weight reqs. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to carry everything. I have a huge rolling duffle, a big Adidas sports bag that I'm going to throw over my shoulder and carry in front of me, a smaller carry on rolling duffle that I can hand carry if need be, and then I'll have my violin case that I'll throw over my back and my purse.

I checked the weather channel and they're predicting it will be rainy in Romania when I get there. I have also heard from PCVs that Romania is really rainy most of the time. So that leaves me with an issue I have little time to resolve: finding galoshes or rainboots. I'll hopefully be able to find a pair when I get there if I really need them, because honestly, I don't have the room in my luggage.

So far as leaving goes it's finally hitting me that I'm going to be gone for two years. I think it became apparent to me when I realized that if I screw something up while I'm getting ready (like bank prep or something like that) it's going to be a total pain in the ass to resolve. It's not like I can just call whenever, I'd have to coordinate my phone calls to be at the right time. It's not like I can just fly over and resolve it in person either, which is what I like to do much better than harping at someone over the phone.

I was also hit with a ton of bricks a couple weekends ago when I took my cat in for a check up and found out her kidney values had gone up considerably. She had to stay the weekend at the vet, taking two days away from the few we had left together. I'm glad to say that her values when back down to what they had been earlier in the year and we were able to lower her blood pressure which had risen since she was checked into the vet. It's just very apparent to me now that I may not see her after I leave and that really hurts me. My counselor really helped me when she said to tell Willow that if I don't see her in two years then we'll see each other again in a spiritual realm. I know the pet lovers understand me on this one, and for me this is like leaving my best friend because I have had her since I was 8 years old. I'm going to stay positive though, and I don't think that she'll feel I'm abandoning her because I had to leave her at my Mom's house for about two years when I moved out a few years ago. I'm going to miss her immensely, but I know she understands what I'm doing and that I'll always love her.

I was able to say good bye to the majority of my family on Sunday when my mom threw a little going away party at her place. It was nice to hang out with my fam and enlighten them on where exactly Romania is. After everyone had left the party my mom and I tried to enlighten my roommate and another friend of mine to the hilarity that is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Alas, they both left halfway into the movie. They missed the killer bunny part! How tragic. I'm going to have a little send off on Saturday that should be fun...I'm hoping it'll go late enough that I'll be able to just sleep the entire flight to Philadelphia.

Well, between the ebbs and tides of excitement over my new adventure and fear of all I'm leaving I think I've been pretty productive. I have alot to do these next few days. On top of packing for my trip, I have to pack to move out of my apartment. I also have to actually move out of my apartment, which is always fun. This whole application process has been quite a ride though, and I have yet to fully appreciate the fact that I am leaving to live in a foreign country for two years on Sunday...but I'm sure that moment will hit me while I'm somewhere flying over the heartland. Wish me luck!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Chai class

These past couple weeks did nothing but remind me that time is running out fast. It was really weird for me too because I realized that this month would be filled with "This is the last time I'll _____ for two years."

I went up to LA to celebrate Passover with my Aunt and her family. I had such a wonderful time, her family cracked me up. I was blindsided when I was saying goodbye to them all and one of her sister's said "I hope you'll be able to come over next year". That's when it hit me, I won't be able to make it next year. I mean, I might if I work out my vacation time, but I realized that this actually was my last Seder state side for a while. I'm really sad that I didn't start going to my Aunt's family's Seders earlier because they are so awesome,welcoming, and hilarious.


I was also able to make it to Sunday morning services (for the first day of Passover) at this Persian Sephardic temple in Beverly Hills that I LOVE. The website said that services would begin at 8:30 am...but there was no way I was waking up that early to go to services. I figured if I showed up at 9:30 or 10 I would be ok. I ended up getting there at 10:30 and had plenty of seats to chose from, and the youth service (i.e. the one in English) had just barely started. Actually it was pretty funny because I got to the Temple early enough to get a place to sit, but half an hour into services there was standing room only. I had the opportunity to perform a mitzvah when I switched seats with a lady in the row in front of mine so she could sit with her family. Then my row was made to scoot down to make room for more people to sit, each congregant half assing a seat. Like they say, "no good deed goes unpunished". It was, in all honesty, a wonderful experience.

The Rabbi gave an awesome sermon that made me look like a nutcase cuz I was the only person on the verge of tears listening to it. His topic was freedom, which he emphasized by reading the Gettysburg Address. He underscored the freedoms we have in America by emphasizing the fact that the grandparents of the congregants would not believe the freedoms the Jewish community has in America. He implored us to take this opportunity that freedom has given us and use it to better the world. Then he started talking as if only to me. He started talking about this Jewish spark in all of us that compels us to do good for humanity. Under all our flaws as humans (greed, lust, countless insecurities, etc) there is a spark that can never be put out. His message made me feel like I was born with that spark all along, and converting to Judaism really stoked it. The Rabbi wanted the entire congregation to stoke that spark, because the community is strengthened by the intensity of it's members' passion to do right . I am so grateful to the Rabbi for helping me appreciate the passion I have within myself to help others, and I'm definitely going to carry his message with me to Romania.

Hearing that sermon really made me regret that I will be leaving so soon, because I wanted so bad to get really active with all that the temple is doing, even though they're up in Beverly Hills and I'm in San Diego. As I left the room I realized that that was the last time I would go to services at that temple for two years. I have only gone there three times in the past five months, but each time has been an enlightening experience about the Sephardic tradition, Persian culture, or just myself and my goals. Even though I will really miss all the opportunities to connect with the Jewish community up in LA, I look forward to finding opportunities to experience the Jewish faith in Romania and on the trips I plan to take while I'm in service.

Later that afternoon I went to hang out with my friend Penina who lives up in LA. I was so worried that I would only be able to hang out with her for an hour or so, but was delighted when she came over to have second night Seder with me and my Aunt's family. We had such a good time cracking jokes and catching up on each other's lives. I was really saddened when we hugged goodbye because I new that would be the last time I would see her for two years. I got a little relief when I reminded myself that I can drunk dial her any time :)

Well, that was my Passover. Way too much fun for words. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to finishing off all this leftover matzah.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Monica:1 Brain Aneurysm:0

I'm going to try and downplay the stress factor (with the exception of the title of this blog) that has been plaguing me this week because stress is something I will have to expect and accept while serving. So, hypothetically, if I'm getting overwhelmed by the stress that accompanies the preparation process, there's no way I can handle the stresses awaiting me at my service site. It's not that I'm overwhelmed by the stress though, I'm just so happy to be over it and I want to share with you all how effectively I dealt with it.

That aside, I've finally gotten hit with the ton of bricks that is the realization that I have a month left here. A reality that was made all too clear when I was budgeting how I would spend my last few paychecks and I realized how few there are left! But this weekend is about relaxation and enjoying time with family. I'm going to be up in LA to be with my Aunt's family and enjoy both Passover seders. I also get to spend one last weekend with my friend who lives up in the Valley.

This week has reeked havoc on me. This weekend I didn't get half the stuff I wanted to. I couldn't get my duffels because I forgot the handbook with the luggage size requirements in it at my place. When I walked into REI they had gotten rid of all their winter stuff...even their snow boots :( A quick trip to zappos.com settled that prob. I plan on spending this week trying to piece together a decent wardrobe because worrying about that is taking up WAY too much of my brain space. Oh and the people at Chacos are AWESOME! They speed processed my discount since I'm leaving so soon. Extra huggles to them.

I have FINALLY taken care of my meds! (Start the parade!) I had to jump through all these hoops to get blue cross to approve my pharmacy sending me more than a three months supply. Today I almost threw a conniption fit. I finally got a call from the agent who has been helping me letting me know that she received the faxed RX I sent last Thursday...but she told me that I'll have to fill it by the 20th because that's how long the approval lasts for, meaning I'll have to fill it at Rite Aid because my mail order pharmacy would not be able to fill it in time. I called Rite Aid and filling the RX there would cost WAY! more than my mail order pharmacy. So after a blood pressure raising two hours of trying to contact Blue Cross I got a hold of my agent and got the approval extended. I'm so relieved that I don't have to fork over any more dough than I already have(in case you've been living in a cave or never met me, I'm a pretty cheap bastard).

Monday night and Tuesday morning were a roller coaster of emotions for me (too cliche? Whatev!). Anywho, I got my staging kit in the mail Monday night and had so much fun looking over all the new goodies I have (I'm not being facetious, nothing is more fulfilling than the sense of accomplishment I get when I fill out a form).

On Tuesday morning I contacted the agency that arranges Peace Corps Volunteers-to-be flight plans. Now, I was under the assumption that I would be taking a red eye flight on Monday into Philadelphia, my staging city. When I was making the reservation the guy on the phone started listing of times for Sunday, and I said, "Whoa Whoa Whoa, can't I have a red eye flight on Monday morning or even really late Sunday night?" and he said "Well no, because we don't want you to fall asleep during orientation." After a couple more minutes of futile pleading I accepted my fate and settled for the latest flight that flew out of San Diego.

Now herein lies the tragedy of leaving on Sunday afternoon...there is no possible way I can make it to the HUGE Israeli Independence Day festival up in the Valley that I want to go to. I had the logistics all figured out too, just go up to LA for the day, and then come back down to get right on the plane. And just in case you haven't heard of this thing, people who live miles away from the park in which this festival takes place complain about the lack of parking due to all the people who go to the festival parking in their neighborhood. 40,000 people went to last year's festival! It's going to be HUGER this year because Israel turns 60.

I understand that the Peace Corps is about patience and flexibility. I just wanted to convey the magnitude of this sacrifice I'm making...to be in Phoenix, Arizona (where my direct flight stops off) waiting for my plane to take off for Philadelphia, when I should be in Van Nuys, California eating falafel and getting lessons on how to dance to some of my favorite Mizrahi songs...and maybe meeting an IDF soldier or two ;)

Lost partying opportunities aside, I am VERY excited about all that is coming up, and being the first person in my hotel room :D I already found a bunch of vegetarian places around the hotel and got a tip on where to get the best Philly "Cheese" "Steak" (it's vegan) in town.

Well, off I go to continue my quest for water resistant gloves, beanies, and scarves (do they have water resistant scarves?), long thermal underwear, and all the other winter career appropriate apparel I'll need.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Who's got Romania mania!?

It's official, I'm going to Romania. I've accepted my invitation, my passport docs have been received, and my Peace Corps toolkit even has Romania splayed all over the front page. I even sent out my Aspiration Statement and updated resume. I totally forgot how draining writing is!!!



I've never had to make such a deep plunge so quickly. I know that it won't hit me that I'm going to be gone for two years until I'm actually on the plane heading for staging...maybe not even until my flight to Romania! I've seen so many people make a big deal about me leaving, but my reaction has always been the same:

"It's not like we aren't going to talk for two years. I'll be coming back! Jeez."



Well this weekend is my big shopping spree to get everything I need (or most of it anyway). My biggest conern is getting the right attire for cold weather. I have never lived in a place where it snows. I've seen snow, played in snow, but never had to deal with it on a daily basis for the whole of winter. I do have my spiffy (yeah, I said it) winter coat that the Air Force issues to its troops in Alaska. Hopefully after this weekend I'll have some sweet lookin snow boots, all the thermals I can pack into the Army duffel bags I'll be using for luggage, warm professional clothes, and whatever else I'll need for my trip. After I go on this shopping excursion I'll post my packing list for your consideration.



Other than that there's not much to report. I was hoping to get a Romania specific invitation kit, but nothing to that effect has come in the mail. I ran through the Romanian language lessons the Peace Corps web site offers and I gotta say it is a beautiful language. It seriously is like Italian and Spanish had a love child and that kid got a lot of influence from his Hebrew aunt. I'm so excited to start formal lessons and see how hot I sound speaking it ;)



I really want to see what the country is like too. I watched this movie called "Four months, three weeks, and two days" that was filmed in Romania by a Romanian director to get a very superficial idea of what Romania looked like, and I loved it! (Both what the country looked like and the film). It's been so long since I've been exposed to any kind of new environment that I might get overloaded when I get off the plane. I don't know how to describe how I feel when I get into another country except that I get so excited for all the new opportunities in front of me.

Well, until the next time I get the urge to post...over and out!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

T minus a month and a half and counting

I just wanted to put up the obligatory introductory first post.

It's been quite an experience getting through the application process. Nothing is more gratifying, though, than opening my Peace Corps online toolkit and looking at "Invitee Toolkit" spread across the page in huge letters. The next 6 weeks are going to be insane. I can't believe all the loose ends I have to tie by then (selling my car, legal matters (I have to write a WILL guys!), packing!, the list goes on)

Well when I get more info I'll be able to provide you with a more substantial post.

Have a great hump day!