2 days. Exhilarated, elated, anxious, energetic, apathetic, anxious, surreal, anxious. I have been waiting for too long, have had too much time for too many emotions. I have struggled not to set expectations, and fears based off of those hypotheticals. Creating friendships, learning a language, being a competent and successful volunteer, making a difference somewhere, to someone, somehow; all solid goals, but who knows how to get there? Thankfully I have friends and family to slap me back to reality just at the right time. Because of them I am confident and strong, and will be doing what I love most in life. I can't forget that.
So thank you to those that have come to visit and say "good-bye" over the past weeks. Your wishes mean the world to me, and your faith in my abilities keeps me going during the dark hours of my mind.
On Wednesday, August 19th I fly to San Francisco for Staging on the 20th. The 21st, we fly out, arriving in Manila at around 11pm on the 22nd (11am EST). The first week will consist of orientation to the country, program, and PC roles/policies. Then, 10 weeks of pre-service training (PST) in language, culture, health/medical/safety, and technical job training, living with a host family in one of three selected provinces. After that I begin my 2 years of service as a Child, Youth, and Family Services (CYF; Peace Corps LOVES acronyms, I have already learned) volunteer.
I will buy a phone there, and will set up Skype as well. Of course snail mail is the way to be, so write write write to me and send me love in the form of goodies!! With technology on my side, hopefully I can stay in touch with many of you.
Much love,
Jessica Friedman
U.S. Peace Corps
PNB Financial Building, 6th Floor Bayside
Diosdado Macapagal Avenue
Pasay City 1308
Philippines
You're doing God's work here and will most certainly be rewarded with houses, cars, clothes and money (I recall reading about that in the New Testament). Go get 'em, kid!
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