Decision made, hard part starting

I sent an email today to the Placement Officer telling her about my decision. I will wait until September for the Central/South America program in Environmental Education. That's where I really want to be, and what I'd really like to do. I'm sure the wait will be worth it. I'm supposed to get my invitation in February, so I have a little while before I find out exactly where I'm going. It'll be good, no matter where I go. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy New Year, and everything else I'm forgetting.

Decision time

So once again I am in limbo. I spoke with a placement officer yesterday and she gave me a few options. The first is a secondary teacher training program leaving in June to Central Asia. I don't think I want that particularly. The second is a secondary teacher training program leaving in April to Asia. My best guess is that it would be to Indonesia. It sounds good, but it's a recently started program, which means I will most likely be the first volunteer ever in the area. That makes it exponentially more difficult. Also, although it would be really far away and expensive for people to visit.

The third option is a primary environmental education program to Central/South America, the part of the world I REALLY want to be in. It looks like it's probably going to be in either Peru or Paraguay. That would be pretty awesome. But the catch is that it doesn't leave until September. That's an awful long time to wait... Also, if it's Paraguay, we'll forever be identically identical twins. Same AP classes in high school, the Double Reed Twins in band, went to the same college (though different majors so it wasn't so bad), and now possibly the same country and SAME PROGRAM for Peace Corps. On the plus side, I've been to Paraguay before and I already know I like the country, and I know people there so it will be a little easier. And Gabi says I am not allowed to be more guapa than her. That's okay, I am lazy and will do my best to be exactly as guapa as her, if not even less so.

I have some serious thinking to do. I'll have about a week to make a decision, but unfortunately it's just about the busiest week of the entire year. So welcome stress, I guess you're here to stay for a while.

So yeah. It's official.

Got my call from the Country Desk Officer, and now I am officially not going to Honduras. The volunteer that was injured leading up to the suspension of new volunteers is recovering, and that's the important thing really. Again, safety is the number one priority, so even though I'm disappointed, I'm thankful that Peace Corps takes it so seriously.

I should be getting a call from Placement today or tomorrow, so with luck I will find out my new destination very soon. Updates a-coming.

Bad news.....

Yesterday at 3pm I got an email from the Honduras Country Desk Officer telling me to contact her before 5pm about urgent information regarding my assignment. Because I was working all afternoon I did not get the email or the phone message until 9pm and obviously could not call her back.

But, being the awesome and resourceful person that I am, I know what's going on. I am no longer going to Honduras. There was apparently a "security situation" in the country and no new volunteers are being sent. Crappy deal, but I feel good that they put the volunteers' safety first. I'd rather be disappointed than dead or in danger.

Guess I will find out a little more on Monday when I call the office. I'm really sad about losing Honduras, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. Something better is coming, I know it :)

Let's get it started in here!

Hola amigos! I am Sami and I am going to Honduras!

I've spent the last 10 or 11 months completing my application to Peace Corps. Just a couple weeks ago I was assigned my post in Honduras. I will depart on February 22 2012 (which is a Wednesday I believe) and complete my service in May 2014 (no idea what day of the week that is). My sector is Water and Sanitation, which I know nothing about. My position is Educator, which I know a little about. I'm sure teaching English to Chinese high school students will be exactly like teaching health and hygiene to Honduran students of multiple age groups..... right?

Anyway, I plan to use this blog to write about all the amazing things I see and experience in Honduras, along with all the crummy things too. But as I know from my time in China, the good things are bound to outweigh the bad. I am thrilled to be embarking on this new adventure!

To those who don't know me, let me introduce myself a little more thoroughly. To those who do know me, feel free to ignore and/or ridicule. I was born in Michigan. I grew up in Southern Maryland. I have US/UK dual citizenship. I have an identical twin sister who is also in Peace Corps in Paraguay. I majored in Chinese language and culture at St Mary's College of Maryland. I got my Masters degree from University of London/SOAS in Chinese Art and Archaeology. I studied abroad in Shanghai for a semester and taught English in Beijing for two and a half years. I enjoy reading, playing with my birds and gerbils, and wasting my time on Facebook. I am both dreading and looking forward to the end of the world in December 2012, which of course plan to attend in Copan in Honduras. My favorite books are Watership Down and The Good Earth (among others). My favorite movies are Star Wars and Interview with the Vampire (among others). My favorite foods are Kraft macaroni and cheese with pepperoni and ranch dressing, and Yuxiangrousi (sweet and spicy pork with vegetables). My favorite singers are Kelly Clarkson and ABBA. I love spring for the flowers and the warm sunshine. I love autumn for the leaves and cuddling up with a blanket. I love walking in quiet places. I love learning about history, archaeology, and cultures. Well, I guess that's enough for now.

Now then, all I have to do before I leave is mail my passport application(s), buy supplies, pack, learn Spanish, learn about water and sanitation, learn about Honduras, conquer my fear of bees, and worst of all, wait TWO AND A HALF MONTHS... Oh my...