3...2...1...Launch
Holy Cow, I leave in 2 days. The last couple weeks have been pretty crazy, I have been trying to spend time with all my friends and do my last minute shopping, packing, organizing, etc. I think I am going insane. O with just 2 days left I have a few more people to see, a BBQ to go to, Packing to finalize, etc. I am just about done with packing, I have packed and repacked my bags at least 5 times so far. I have had to toss a lot of things out because at one point my larger bag was weighing over 65 pounds and we are limited to 50 pounds each, 100 pounds total for the two bags. So I pulled out a lot of the things in that bag to either pick up at Christmas or to have sent later. Now packing might not seem that hard, it didn't to me since I have packed for all sorts of travel, then I came to the realization that I had to pack summer clothes, winter clothes, work clothes and casual clothes. The summers are hot and the winters are cold so I had to pack for the extremes. Then I had to pack toiletries for an extended stay along with entertainment items, journals, and all the things that I figured I would need to have during the stay. Finally I had to pack gifts for the host family and others I would meet there. It all added up. I think I am done but I am still over by a couple pounds on each bag. I hope they let me skip by or at least don't charge me much.
So I had lunch with a good friend and past colleague today. We had a great conversation about taking risks and having adventures. She commented that she thought what I was doing was really brave and that I was a role model. This got me thinking and I have thought about it a lot all day. I certainly don't feel brave nor would I ever consider myself a role model (just the opposite in fact). I told her at the time that I joined the Peace Corps based on my gut and that while I considered what I was doing I haven't really sat down and analyzed my decision very deeply. I think that if I did I would come to the conclusion that I was a bit crazy and I am afraid I might think about backing out. This got me to thinking about why I was doing this. What I came up with was a short list, some selfish reasons some not. On the selfish side it is a way to do something without having to get a job. It is also a way to travel on someone else's dime. But it is also a way to give back to the community. I am not a religious person but I do believe in Karma and this is one in the plus column. I am also looking forward to making many new friends with the other volunteers and with the people in Armenia. Finally I am doing this because it feels right. I don't know why it feels right but it does so I am going with my gut (after all when something that big tells you to do something you don't argue).
OK, I apologize for the public soul searching but I had to get it off my chest and since I won't be seeing many of you before I go I thought I would have a conversation this way.
Now before I go, I have received two articles in the last few weeks that I really want to share. The first is an article about the Peace Corps by the former country director of Cameroon. While it is critical of the Peace Corps it fits with comments I have heard before from past volunteers.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4295&page=0
The second article I really encourage everyone to read. It is management advice from Colin Powell's book. I read it and it really fit with how I have tried to manage and really struck a chord. I am not only thrilled that it reaffirms my beliefs but I think it just makes common sense. If you have time please read it, even if you don't manage. If you think I am off base on this please write to me and let me know. I would really love to hear others view points.
http://govleaders.org/powell.htm
Well that is it for now, It is 12:45 and I have to go clear off my bed so I can get some sleep. I hope to write once more before heading to Philly, but if not I will write from there.
Brian
So I had lunch with a good friend and past colleague today. We had a great conversation about taking risks and having adventures. She commented that she thought what I was doing was really brave and that I was a role model. This got me thinking and I have thought about it a lot all day. I certainly don't feel brave nor would I ever consider myself a role model (just the opposite in fact). I told her at the time that I joined the Peace Corps based on my gut and that while I considered what I was doing I haven't really sat down and analyzed my decision very deeply. I think that if I did I would come to the conclusion that I was a bit crazy and I am afraid I might think about backing out. This got me to thinking about why I was doing this. What I came up with was a short list, some selfish reasons some not. On the selfish side it is a way to do something without having to get a job. It is also a way to travel on someone else's dime. But it is also a way to give back to the community. I am not a religious person but I do believe in Karma and this is one in the plus column. I am also looking forward to making many new friends with the other volunteers and with the people in Armenia. Finally I am doing this because it feels right. I don't know why it feels right but it does so I am going with my gut (after all when something that big tells you to do something you don't argue).
OK, I apologize for the public soul searching but I had to get it off my chest and since I won't be seeing many of you before I go I thought I would have a conversation this way.
Now before I go, I have received two articles in the last few weeks that I really want to share. The first is an article about the Peace Corps by the former country director of Cameroon. While it is critical of the Peace Corps it fits with comments I have heard before from past volunteers.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4295&page=0
The second article I really encourage everyone to read. It is management advice from Colin Powell's book. I read it and it really fit with how I have tried to manage and really struck a chord. I am not only thrilled that it reaffirms my beliefs but I think it just makes common sense. If you have time please read it, even if you don't manage. If you think I am off base on this please write to me and let me know. I would really love to hear others view points.
http://govleaders.org/powell.htm
Well that is it for now, It is 12:45 and I have to go clear off my bed so I can get some sleep. I hope to write once more before heading to Philly, but if not I will write from there.
Brian
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