I Wanna Be a Supermodel
Well not really but I have been quite the figuretti these days. Last week the APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Conference) was in Chiclayo and I was asked (along with two other volunteers) to translate for the artisans displaying their projects. It was an adventure. There were a lot of complications, to many to discuss, and very few benefits (we weren’t given credentials, transportation, pay) but all in all it was fun. It was great to spend the week with the PC girls and we met some interesting people from around the world. I also made some interesting (and some over persistent) contacts in Chiclayo. I met a ton of journalist (that’s where the figuretti part comes in- apparently gringas make the best models for photos). Another nice benefit was good food! We were really only left with whatever the delegates didn’t eat but the nice thing is that because the delegates were comprised of finance ministers from around the world the caterer prepared a lot of food. And it was good! Actually, I was told by a lot of people that it was sub par but when you’re a Peace Corps volunteer, sub par can be pretty damn tasty. There were even vegetables of all sorts of colors! Overall, it didn’t feel at all like PC. Everyday I got dressed up in business casual to formal attire. I acted all formal. I talked to important people. It was great. A little peak of life outside of PC.
In the comings and goings of the crazy week I also had a few other adventures. The new volunteers just got to site so I took some time out to meet them. There are about 6 coming to my department and they all seem really great. We even found some time to party it up a lot. I absolutely adore the people who are already in my department. I have great friends, however, it was nice to get some “fresh meat”. New friends, new personalities, new stories. Its good to have them around especially after having a fairly messing falling out with some one who was one of my best friends here.
The other thing about new volunteers coming in is that it drew my attention to the fact that I have now been at site for over a year. One more to go. It’s hard to believe the time passed so rapidly. I am sure the next year will go just as fast. It makes me think about all the things I’m missing back home. Like my dad’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you! It also made be reflect a bit on what I have (and haven’t done) and what I’d like to get accomplished. With that it kinda lit a fire under my butt to really start figuring out what I’m going to do with my life after PC. I started studying for the GMAT a while back but not to seriously and didn’t think much of it because I am not taking it till December, however, I’m realizing that December isn’t actually all that far off and I have a lot more to do. It’s pretty intimidating. Where will I live when I get back? How will I get a job? Where? What do I do about a car? Going to grad school? Will my old friends even still be around and if so will we still be friends? I’ve lost contact with a large majority of the people from my past already and I’ve only been here a year. What will happen in the next year? Its going to be an adventure that is for sure. Hopefully at least some people will stick around till I get back. I don’t want anyone to wait for me and postpone their lives until I get back (except Becky- Don’t get married till I’m back, I want to be there!). I know people need to keep pushing on, I just hope that pushing on doesn’t leave me too far behind.
So after a week of diplomacy, dressing up, not sleeping, losing friends, making new ones, and some crazy welcome and goodbye parties, I suppose its time to moving along and trying to be a good little busy bee. Time to play super volunteer. We’ll see how that goes
Well not really but I have been quite the figuretti these days. Last week the APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Conference) was in Chiclayo and I was asked (along with two other volunteers) to translate for the artisans displaying their projects. It was an adventure. There were a lot of complications, to many to discuss, and very few benefits (we weren’t given credentials, transportation, pay) but all in all it was fun. It was great to spend the week with the PC girls and we met some interesting people from around the world. I also made some interesting (and some over persistent) contacts in Chiclayo. I met a ton of journalist (that’s where the figuretti part comes in- apparently gringas make the best models for photos). Another nice benefit was good food! We were really only left with whatever the delegates didn’t eat but the nice thing is that because the delegates were comprised of finance ministers from around the world the caterer prepared a lot of food. And it was good! Actually, I was told by a lot of people that it was sub par but when you’re a Peace Corps volunteer, sub par can be pretty damn tasty. There were even vegetables of all sorts of colors! Overall, it didn’t feel at all like PC. Everyday I got dressed up in business casual to formal attire. I acted all formal. I talked to important people. It was great. A little peak of life outside of PC.
In the comings and goings of the crazy week I also had a few other adventures. The new volunteers just got to site so I took some time out to meet them. There are about 6 coming to my department and they all seem really great. We even found some time to party it up a lot. I absolutely adore the people who are already in my department. I have great friends, however, it was nice to get some “fresh meat”. New friends, new personalities, new stories. Its good to have them around especially after having a fairly messing falling out with some one who was one of my best friends here.
The other thing about new volunteers coming in is that it drew my attention to the fact that I have now been at site for over a year. One more to go. It’s hard to believe the time passed so rapidly. I am sure the next year will go just as fast. It makes me think about all the things I’m missing back home. Like my dad’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you! It also made be reflect a bit on what I have (and haven’t done) and what I’d like to get accomplished. With that it kinda lit a fire under my butt to really start figuring out what I’m going to do with my life after PC. I started studying for the GMAT a while back but not to seriously and didn’t think much of it because I am not taking it till December, however, I’m realizing that December isn’t actually all that far off and I have a lot more to do. It’s pretty intimidating. Where will I live when I get back? How will I get a job? Where? What do I do about a car? Going to grad school? Will my old friends even still be around and if so will we still be friends? I’ve lost contact with a large majority of the people from my past already and I’ve only been here a year. What will happen in the next year? Its going to be an adventure that is for sure. Hopefully at least some people will stick around till I get back. I don’t want anyone to wait for me and postpone their lives until I get back (except Becky- Don’t get married till I’m back, I want to be there!). I know people need to keep pushing on, I just hope that pushing on doesn’t leave me too far behind.
So after a week of diplomacy, dressing up, not sleeping, losing friends, making new ones, and some crazy welcome and goodbye parties, I suppose its time to moving along and trying to be a good little busy bee. Time to play super volunteer. We’ll see how that goes
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