Peace Corps Discounts

I would recommend calling to check to see if the store you like does offer the discount, just to be on the safe side.

http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/member-deals/discounts/

http://www.apple.com/r/store/government/

My Staging event

I'm so exited that my Staging event is going to be in Miami. I will get to meet up with 25 other Peace Corps volunteers before we are all sent to are host countries for training. I am going to be in St. Lucia (Babonneau ) for training on language (if necessary), cross-cultural, technical, safety and security, and health components. Its all coming so fast but I am getting exited. 

I can bring a 100lb plus some, heres how!!!!

Here is an email I got on how many pounds I can check and carry on. This makes me happy, and feel a bit like a chester lol.

Allie,

Thanks for the e-mail.  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, too!

My understanding is that this is only for the checked baggage.  For additional luggage information, please reference American Airline’s website (as you will be traveling via AA from Miami to St. Lucia).

Cheers,

American Airlines Carry On

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/carryOnAllowance.jsp

How to comment on my posts

First you need to have a gmail account. Then when you click on comments or no comments it might ask you to create a google/blogger profile. Just follow the prompts that it gives you. Then when you go to comment again all you will have to enter your log in and your password and it will let you post a comment. I am sorry for the inconvenience everyone. I know that my blog sight is not easy to use but it is a good way for me to keep all of my posts together in one place and in order.

Thank you everyone for commenting

Love Allie

*Something Special*

I thought of something that could make remembering my Peace Corps experience more exiting when I look back to the Us. I was thinking that if everyone who is important to me or cares about me could send me a journal here in the US before I go or while I am their, and write something in it or just put their names. It would make going back and reading my day to day journals more exiting. I don't know it might sound stupid but I think that knowing that someone special to me sent me a unique journal would make me feel like people are still thinking about me even though I am not their. What do you all think?

Home Town News Letter

1.     Personal information of interest?: I recently graduated from the University of Arizona and received my bachelors of science in rehabilitation for special needs. From my start at Pima Community College to my graduation from the U of A I received both my associates and bachelors in 3 ½ years. My final semester at the U of A was finished in just 2 months so I could go on a mission trip to Africa and assist a doctor who was there to help educate some of the local doctors. While in Africa I was lucky enough to visit the Usa river area in Tanzania and go on a couple safaris. I love playing sports including volleyball, football and more recently soccer. I hope while in Grenada to find some friendly people who enjoy playing some of these sports as well.

2.     What motivated you or attracted you to the Peace Corps?: I’ve always wanted to educate people in other countries. I felt that with my degree joining the Peace Corps would help me do just that. Hopefully with this time I will be able to positively impact peoples lives, as I am sure they will do the same for me.

3.     What have been some factors that affected your decision to become a Volunteer?: My time in Africa really opened my eyes to the need of better special education globally. That was the moment that I really knew that volunteering for the Peace Corps was the right decision. My family has supported and encouraged me during this entire process, which has really helped as well.

4.     Has family, friends, or returned Peace Corps Volunteers influenced your decision to join the Peace Corps? If so, how?: As stated above my family and friends have been extremely supportive of my decision to join. They have helped me with all the appointments needed, gathering necessary supplies and equipment and offered words of encouragement the whole way through.

5.     1) Ridgecrest, California 2) Florida 3) Weiser, Idaho 4) Tucson, Arizona 5)

6.     What are your career goals once you complete your Peace Corps service?: When I come back I plan to apply to the rehabilitation masters program at the U of A and possibly get my PhD. I hope to continue helping individuals with special needs or families of people with special needs here in the states and possibly rejoin the Peace Corps later in life.

How I am doing my packing

So it used to be that you could only take 80lbs including your carry on but now its 100lbs. I am not shire if that includes my cary on or not, so I will have to email my placement desk in the Eastern Caribbean. People think that I am crazy because I have already started pack and I don't leave for another 3 months, but I want to be organized and have everything that I need. I am going to post my packing list when I get it all complete so that way you can see what 100lbs comes out to be. Also when I was looking for a packing list online I could not find one that was a former Peace Corps volunteers so I am hoping that this might help someone latter down the road.

Step 1- look at all of the packing lists provided to you by the Peace Corps, They are spread out all over the place.

Step 2- look online for travel site tips. You can find lists put together for where you are going specifically.

Step3- Go through what you already have and check them off the list.

Step 4- Make a list of what you still need.

Step 5- Set everything you already have aside.

Step 6- I would start gathering small things that you need to get when your at the store. Also Amazon has a lot of the same things for cheeper. You can get a 2 month Free trial of their prime. That means 2 day free shipping. But check things that are not prime as well because some times its cheeper to pay $1.00 shipping compared to their fees. Students get prime for 6 months just an fyi. Also some places such as Mac give discounts for people going into the Peace Corps, you just need your welcome letter. So that is something you can check into if you are dying to save money here and there. The Peace Corps is not all that cheep with the medical stuff and packing list.

step 7-  One you know what you absolutely need to get you can do one big shopping trip.

Step 8- find your suitcases that your going to be using and fill them with the things you have gathered. Check their waight!!!! This way you have some idea if you have way to much or your on track.

step 9- When you are ready to leave for your assignment I would right a list of everything that you have packed and compare it to what you needed to bring that way if you are missing anything you will know.

People think I am crazy because I plan to much but it helps me do everything correctly. So what if I packed 3 months before I have to leave. I am ready for what ever happens next.

Addresses

Sending packages. Family members often like to send care packages through the mail. Unfortunately, sending packages can be a frustrating experience due to the high incidence of theft and heavy customs taxes. You may want to try to send inexpensive items through the mail, but there is no guarantee that these items will arrive. We do not recommend, however, that costly items be sent through the mail. Even though many Volunteers choose to get local post office boxes, you may use the following addresses to send letters and/or packages via international expedited mail (example: DHL) to your family member:

PCV Name

U.S. Peace Corps (Grenada) P.O. Box 766
Upper Lucas Street
St. George's
Grenada, West Indies


PCV Name
U.S. Peace Corps (St. Lucia)
P O Box 123
Gablewoods Mall, Sunny Acres Castries
St. Lucia, West Indies