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.