Less than 2 Months!

I'm posting again today because 1: I leave for staging in 8 weeks and 2: I want to get used to this whole blogging thing before I leave.  Preparing for departure consists of stalking every single current volunteer in Guyana's facebook page!  Volunteers that are serving right now are the biggest resource us GUY 23ers have.  Their pictures show us what our lives could be like..so far I've see a lot small lizards, spiders, sweat and happy happy people.  My emotions are mixed; I'm thrilled to go and serve in the Peace Corps, it's the biggest honor a true humanitarian could have and I'm lucky to have been selected.  The work I will do will hopefully change myself and the people I meet in Guyana forever.  I'm excited to live in a country where reggae rules the radio and diversity is everywhere I look. I can't wait to lay in a hammock at sunset and remind myself where I am and why I'm here.  I can't wait to make Guyanese friends and finally meet the other volunteers in my group.  I just want my Guyanese life to start.
On the other hand, enjoying all of these things means leaving my friends and family and every memory I've ever made here.  I was talking with some friends recently and they were planning a spring party, a party of which I will not be able to attend.  Another friend is getting married next fall and I will be in Guyana.  My biggest worry is that I will worry too much about what I'm missing and lose track of where I am and why.  Somedays 2 years sounds like an eternity and other days it sounds like the blink of an eye.  I know I'm not alone is these feelings because other GUY 23ers are going through it too, it's just a terrifying and thrilling thought that within WEEKS I will be leaving this behind for something so new and scary and different.  My friends and my family are important and hopefully they all know that.  With that great relationship I have with all of them means that they are all so supportive. I know after my service in Guyana some friendships will never be the same, maybe they will no longer be; but I have to trust that I am doing the right thing and the right thing is usually never the easiest thing, but who said life was easy? I can't wait to be an official Peace Corps volunteer and share my stories with all my friends and family back home.  I will be helping people everyday and that is a good life.

Alyssa

Let the countdown begin

So as of today I have less than 3 months until I leave to star pre-service training in GUAYNA!  I leave to serve in the United States Peace Corps Feb. 15 2011! HOW EXCITING!!! I hope everyone follows my ups and downs along the way. It'll be great to hear from everyone to be reminded I'm not forgotten back at home!

Alyssa