I just have to say I'm sorry if I don't make sense at all today. Today I left for the Peace Corps in Peru. My first stop was Washington, D.C. for welcoming then the next day, we're shipped to Lima. It's a whirlwind and I'm overwhelmed by emotion, but I'll try to pour it out to you as eloquently as humanly possible.
My goodbyes were casual. I have some really solid, wonderful friends. They inspire me - every single one of them has a critical role in my life. God surrounded me with angels. I know we'll keep in contact just fine. Saying goodbye to my mom wasn't even that dramatic. I did end up yelling, "Mom!" as she walked away for one more hug, but I think my mom realized it was time to let go. She's raised me well. It's time to show the world that.
The reason why I say I'm scared is because it's okay to be scared. When you're afraid it means you're challenging yourself. I accept that I am afraid of what I don't know, because I also know, with every ounce of my being, that I'm ready. I was born for this kind of job. All the questioning, love/encouragement from friends, vaccinations, and long runs along the beach or in the hills behind my house have prepared me well.
One second you know everything, the next second you don't...and it's okay.
Things I don't know:
1. Where I am exactly...all I know is I'm in Washington, D.C. at some hotel near Georgetown
2. Where one of my bags are...American Airlines lost one, ha!
3. How to be "business casual" tomorrow for my welcoming...Lord knows all I wear are bathing suits and shorts
4. How I feel about what's happening...I think this is what they call "shock" (I literally feel nothing right now)
5. What to expect in Peru
I'm in a new world, uncharted waters. Tomorrow I'll be meeting fellow volunteers. My life literally changed overnight.
On my flight over, I sat next to a couple interesting souls.
Enter Micah, this dreamy eyed reporter from Redondo Beach. 29 years young with a baseball cap on, he was asking me so many questions true to his reporter nature. He told me he always wanted to do the Peace Corps but "life got in the way." He got a job and there went that dream. He was traveling to Madrid for the hell of it with his friends. It sounded like he was in search of something. I hope he finds whatever he was looking for.
The flight attendant asked me where I was going and the whole Peace Corps story came out...how I feel it's a "calling from God." She was saying how lucky I am to have felt a "calling." She said she hasn't felt a calling in years but she doesn't want to force anything. Maybe she's exactly where she needs to be in life.
Next flight - Jake, 6 year old little boy, with his mom of course. Jake is an avid soccer player, loves transformers and lives in Washington, D.C. He woke me up when we were landing by way of punch and said, "Gia want to see where the president lives?!" I could barely open my eyes, I was in such a deep sleep. He reaches over to push up the window cover and I instantly see the White House, my eyes pop, my mind races, then the Lincoln memorial, then the Jefferson memorial...the city lights making Washington, D.C. look so alive. I may or may not have screamed a bit. Jake got a kick out of it, that's for sure. I haven't felt this feeling since I went to Italy. I thrive on this feeling.
I'm so excited. I'm stupid happy. I haven't even worried about my missing bag. I can't with everything going on. Life is good. I'm alright, this is going to be great. I'm a Peace Corps volunteer now. :-)
My goodbyes were casual. I have some really solid, wonderful friends. They inspire me - every single one of them has a critical role in my life. God surrounded me with angels. I know we'll keep in contact just fine. Saying goodbye to my mom wasn't even that dramatic. I did end up yelling, "Mom!" as she walked away for one more hug, but I think my mom realized it was time to let go. She's raised me well. It's time to show the world that.
The reason why I say I'm scared is because it's okay to be scared. When you're afraid it means you're challenging yourself. I accept that I am afraid of what I don't know, because I also know, with every ounce of my being, that I'm ready. I was born for this kind of job. All the questioning, love/encouragement from friends, vaccinations, and long runs along the beach or in the hills behind my house have prepared me well.
One second you know everything, the next second you don't...and it's okay.
Things I don't know:
1. Where I am exactly...all I know is I'm in Washington, D.C. at some hotel near Georgetown
2. Where one of my bags are...American Airlines lost one, ha!
3. How to be "business casual" tomorrow for my welcoming...Lord knows all I wear are bathing suits and shorts
4. How I feel about what's happening...I think this is what they call "shock" (I literally feel nothing right now)
5. What to expect in Peru
I'm in a new world, uncharted waters. Tomorrow I'll be meeting fellow volunteers. My life literally changed overnight.
On my flight over, I sat next to a couple interesting souls.
Enter Micah, this dreamy eyed reporter from Redondo Beach. 29 years young with a baseball cap on, he was asking me so many questions true to his reporter nature. He told me he always wanted to do the Peace Corps but "life got in the way." He got a job and there went that dream. He was traveling to Madrid for the hell of it with his friends. It sounded like he was in search of something. I hope he finds whatever he was looking for.
The flight attendant asked me where I was going and the whole Peace Corps story came out...how I feel it's a "calling from God." She was saying how lucky I am to have felt a "calling." She said she hasn't felt a calling in years but she doesn't want to force anything. Maybe she's exactly where she needs to be in life.
Next flight - Jake, 6 year old little boy, with his mom of course. Jake is an avid soccer player, loves transformers and lives in Washington, D.C. He woke me up when we were landing by way of punch and said, "Gia want to see where the president lives?!" I could barely open my eyes, I was in such a deep sleep. He reaches over to push up the window cover and I instantly see the White House, my eyes pop, my mind races, then the Lincoln memorial, then the Jefferson memorial...the city lights making Washington, D.C. look so alive. I may or may not have screamed a bit. Jake got a kick out of it, that's for sure. I haven't felt this feeling since I went to Italy. I thrive on this feeling.
I'm so excited. I'm stupid happy. I haven't even worried about my missing bag. I can't with everything going on. Life is good. I'm alright, this is going to be great. I'm a Peace Corps volunteer now. :-)
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