Day # 3 St. Lucia

WOW, day three was crazy!!! This morning We woke up at 4:45am got ready and headed down to catch the bus at 5:30am, it left at 6am. We arrived at the airport at like 6:10am and gathered in are groups so that we could get checked in. It was crazy and some of the people who worked at the airport did it faster than others, but I got through. Once we were all checked in we went and found are terminal that was not to far away thank goodness. After that I decided to go and scope out some breakfast. I ended up at Starbucks agin so I got some coffee, banana muffin and some yogurt. From their we waited a long time. Are flight did not leave until 10:20 (Lots of time) Once the plain came we got to get on in the first group that was nice. YES my back pack did fit even though it was crazzzzzzy stuffed. Once on the plain I was exited because I got to sit next to Gabby who I greatly enjoyed talking to and wish that I was going to be at her country or she was coming to mine. Any who the flight was short, about 3hrs. Once we arrived we were greeted by the local peace corps staff, they showed us where to line up to get are past-ports checked, and then we went around the corner and collected are bags. They had free carts to put your stuff on. Once that was all done some of the people who worked at the airport helped get are stuff to the vans were we were greeted by more Peace Corps staff, and cup cakes, water and granola bars. It just happened to be one of the girls birthdays today. Then for the 2hr drive through St. Lucia it was so beautiful so green and lush. We could see the ocean and all of the colorful roof tops. We where then greeted at the Peace Corps hub signed in, found are rooms and roommate. Then It was time for dinner in the dinning hall. It was decorated and had waitresses. We had pumpkin sup, rice, chicken, hush puppies, fish, and salad for dinner. All of the staff introduced them selves to us and explained some of the rules. We then had desert, ice cream with cherry sauce. All good and dandy now I am off to bed!!!!! Love you All I had a grate day.                    

Day #2 Staging event/ training

I was one of the most amazing feelings to get to meet so many new people that had so much in common with me. People from all of the US with different backgrounds and ethnicity's. We turned in all of are paper work and received debit cards and money for last nights dinner. Then the real fun began we played games as ice breakers and mixed in information on what was coming up next. I found out that I have 5 more people coming with me to Grenada a older cupel, a younger girl and 2 boys. So I am hopping that I am going to have some travel buddies and make some really good friends. some of the things that we talked about was

-Background information on the peace Corps
-The Peace Corps Act
-Peace Corps mission
-Core expectations
-Anxieties and aspirations
-Threats

Training stared at 12:30pm and went until about 7 but it was a fun day, not to stressful. After training all of us went to dinner at a restaurant down the street. Yes I left the hotel (mom) I went and gat Starbucks with ant Junes christmas gift, and then tonight for dinner it was fun.  At dinner I got to talking to one of the guys, he also is in a relationship, and has a learning disability. I don't want to mention names that is for him to tell people. I was just happy that I was not alone in those aspects.  It was a long day!!! so after dinner at Catch of the Day I called my mom. It was the last time that I will probably get to here her voice in a few weeks, so I called her twice. Yes I cried, this is not an easy thing to do but it is going to be so much fun and worth all of the ups and downs that I herd that I will be having. They did say that the people their do know what a blog is so I will not be posting bad days on here just so ya know. Any who its getting late and check out is at 5:30am so I should go to bed but I want to leave you with a quote from Sargent Shriver.

"Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition that we have in common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us"       

Goodnight USA all see you in 2years and some change.
love you, miss you

Day #1 Miami FL

Today when I woke up I was so beyond worried about heading out for the Peace Corps. I had a billion questions, concerns and fears. My flight was at 8am so met up with some of my favorite people on earth, it was hard to say goodbye. All of my goodbyes have been hard but I have been abel to keep it together. Of corse I got stopped at security but I got lucky they just swab my computer and let me go.  It was such a strange feeling walking threw the airport and wondering what the world was going to bring me next. I was looking at people around me wondering if they were Peace Corps or not. I was so relived to finally be in Miami. After I retrieved all of my bags I found my way out to the shuttle area and my luck was awesome it pulled right up. As we arrived at the hotel the man took all of the luggage and placed it on a cart. While we were waiting I started a conversation with the guy next to me. Come to find out he's going to the Caribbean as well. I don't know how to explain it but most of the fears I had started to drain away. It was like finding a new species, a new life form but someone who was like you. So any ways I found out that I was going to have a roommate so I had a new curiosity about the first girl that I was going to meet. So I showered a got cleaned up so that when she got here she could get comfy. I was so exited that it was an older woman named Cathrin, she is 60 years old and was a teacher for 12 years and also worked social work, she is going to be on St. Vincent. We went to dinner and had a grate time talking. Its been an exiting day and I am ready for bed.

good night everyone and hello new world                          

First interview, last day in Tucson AZ

Today was my fist interview with the director of the Grenada Peace Corps. It was a surprise that I was even going to have an interview one day before I was leaving. But it turned out to be beneficial. I was on a speaker phone with two people. They asked me about,

 My degree at the University of Arizona and how it applied to what I would be doing in Grenada?

My Fine arts degree?

If I was going to use my art degree with the kids?

What other experience I had with people with disabilities (work)?  

Wether I would like to work with younger special ed kids, or older?

If I wanted to work in the special ed school, or with mixed population?

If I was willing to work in a program that was not fully set up yet or not?

If I wouldn't mind switching from teaching to awareness?

If I minded walking to work?

What hobbies I had?

If I had any food allergies?

If I got motion sickness?

What my IT skills were?

If I had any other questions?

They also talked about what clothing I should bring and electronics.  

At the end of the conversation they asked if I would like to talk to another volunteer and ask questions. I did, and I asked her what the biggest shock was going to be when I got their. She replied that their is no preparing for what the Peace Corps or Grenada is like or going to be. But that I need to be open and flexible with what happens around me. I also asked what one thing I should pack that is not on the list. She said that she chose to bring a workout ball. I don't think all be packing a workout ball because I am already over packed and I would like to do more group activates suck as volley boll and dancing.    
 
It took all the way up to the last day for it to hit me that I am leaving tomorrow!!!! Their are so many emotions going threw me its hard to focus on one thing at a time. I have constant butterflies in my tummy and I have lost my appetite but I have to eat to keep up my strength. Everyone around me also has high emotions and I like it because it shows that they care but at the same time it is hard for me to and I need to stay strong and mentally prepared for the next part of my life. Well I love you Tucson people but I have to move on to the next 2 years of my life. I will stay in touch as much as possible. You all can write me emails, comments on my blog and FB.

g2g
Hope everyones well
Love Allie A    

4 more days left in the U.S.

It is starting to hit me that I finally leaving. I have been trying to spend time with all of the important people in my life. Its such a strange feeling, I'm leaving for a good amount of time but I will be back, I cant wait to see where everyone is at in 2 years. My little guy that I work with will be 10 years old. I just wanted to say to everyone thank you for all of the time you have spent with me and all of the thoughtful  gifts. I love the hand written cards, journals and the calendar with all the pictures in it, so special and will remind me of home. I have a phone interview on Tuesday with the associate peace corps director of Grenada I am assuming. So we will see what thats about.

much love
Allie A
  

8 more days

It amazes me how far away it seemed when I first found out when I was going to leave for the Caribbean (Grenada) and now 8 days before I am leaving it seams like I don't even remember the last six months. It still has not hit me yet that I am leaving for 2 years and 3 months. I have to huge suitcases sitting in my almost empty room and still I'm not panicking. I think that this is good because I feel prepared and ready for this new beginning to life. I feel lucky that I can get away from the normal stereotypical life in the US, and help others in need at the same time. I am ready for excitement, new things, new people, new job and new ways to look and live life.

I am scared that I will get to Grenada and I wont be what they are looking for. I know that I should not bought myself but its hard. This is something I have always wanted and now I am living out my dream. I think every person would be a little scared when you actually get to do what you have always wanted.       Its a good feeling to be moving forward. I hope the Peace Corps is right and this is the hardest job you'll ever love!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope everyones doing good

The Packing List

Hi everyone

I have 10 days before I leave and I have been close to packed since after my trip to Africa last November in 2011. Although I have been supper organized packing has taken me a long long time!!!!!!! I have packed weighed and taken out things like 4 times. Every ounce counts let me tell you. I am proud to finally share my complete packing list. Remember I could only take 100lbs to check and one carry on.

Suite Case #1

Laundry clips (many)

Bandanas (2)

Water tablets (2)

Chap stick

Sewing kit

Surge protector

Small back pack (black/blue)

Emergency fire starter

Lighter (1)

Towel (1) dark blue

Hats (3) UofA, Idaho and green

Sandals 3

Tank tops (5)

Bath robe- blue

Swim suit- 1 one piece, 1 bottoms

Shorts (4)

Pants (3)

Shoes (8)

Shirts (4)

Dresses (6)

Work out bottoms (4)

Work out tops (2)

Wash clothes

Socks (12)

Belts (2)

Bras (3)

Underwear (6)

Suite Case #2

Personnel items- hair clips

Envelopes

Rope (1)

Umbrella

Hygiene pack (1)

Sewing kit

Prescription meds- poop pills, head ache pills

First aide

Mirror

Bug spray- spray on 1, rub on 1

Scissors 3

Flash light 2

Shampoo 1

Conditioner 1

Hiking boots- water resistant 

Alarm clock 1

Leggings, black

Pajamas

Sweater (1) brown

T-shirts (4)

Ear plugs

Jeans (5)

Socks (12)

Underwear (15) drip dry

Raisers ( 6)

Personnel stuff- makeup 

UofA bed sheets and pillow case 

Back pack

Pj's 

dictionary

2 days of business casual cloths

1 pair of heels 

1 pair of flip flops

all my important peace corps paper work 

electronics, computer, ipad, cameras 

1 journal   

1 black sweater 

1 rain jacket 

1 travel clock

1 digital watch 

1 rain proof back pack cover
1 hair straighter
1 curling iron   

All of the colors of things that I packed are based on the University of Arizona's colors. I Know that it sounds silly but I am hopping to bring a little bit of Arizona pride to Grenada with me. For some of you out their it might seem a little overboard posting my packing list but I am hoping to help other people who are going to start their Peace Corps adventure.

Much love Allie A