Notwithstanding my boredom, I correspond from Lima. 
Yes, I'm still here. As I approach my two week anniversary, I have just been told that should get comfortable because I may be here awhile. Now, those weren't exactly the rousing words of stimulation I was hoping for.
Now, the first week wasn't so bad. I managed to keep myself pretty busy. The Peer Support Network training/planning session went very well. I am proud to say that I am one of the Committee Coordinators for the rookie program. We set up goals, roles, and a mission statement with a little training and techniques session conducted by a psychologist who works for the embassy.
I also spent a couple of days in the central office helping to redesign the format of how youth develop workers conduct their reports. That too was nice because it gave me a chance to see the Peace Corps office life. (I still prefer the “field work”). I even spent a day at a fellow volunteer who is stationed about 45 minutes away from where I am staying volunteering at an orphanage in her town. I also provided an embarrassing sum of stool samples . Let's just say that if there was a professional league...OK, I'll just stop there.
The specialist I saw the other day provided me with a risible amount of medication; I'm taking four pills a day for two weeks. For the sake of substandard humor everywhere, let's just say that the news was hard to swallow (really, I'm sorry about that one). But seriously, I'll be staying here until I have completed the cycle. Then, we'll take things from there.
To add to discomforts and discontent, I had a rather serious and staggering meeting with the Peace Corps doctor the day following my examination. Early that morning, I went to his office and had been informed that I will need to change sites. Yes, that's it. I really don't have a voice in the matter. The message was quickly relayed to the head of the youth development program who wasted no time in initiating discussion about a new location for me. This was before all the dust even had a chance to settle from the first bomb dropped.
Unfortunately, her ideas did not include keeping me in my current department for fear that my health problem could perpetuate. I was not impressed. I have grown quite attached to area, its colossal mountains, and its resonant culture. However, and again, I really didn't have a voice in the matter. I then went back to the Peace Corps doctor and inquired about possible site changes within the department that he could approve of. Mercifully, he yielded two possibilities; both larger cities. I then went back to my boss and shared the scoop.
She approved. Therefore, I am currently corresponding with former volunteers who served in the areas to see what possibilities exist. It's been a very uncomfortable and a somewhat embarrassing endeavor. Things have yet to really solidify. What about the projects? The people? My home-stay family? Yeah, I know; tragedies and tribulations. I'm stuck in a quandary of where to even begin thinking about thinking of the state of affairs.
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to adjust to life in a big city as my health improves resolutely. I've begun to calibrate a new life at sea level. It seems I have forgotten exactly what freeways, food alternatives, and looking both ways before crossing were all about. However, I've never slept better than now, when encompassed in the urban silence.
In further notes of sanguineness, the entire group of health and environment volunteers from an anterior group are currently in Lima undergoing their medical checks. Not only has it been a great opportunity to get to spend some time with a fascinating group of people (Peace Corps Volunteers always have the most formidable table talk), but there are other volunteers who have been in situations comparable to mine. Their empathetic words and ears have been very remedial. Visits to the oceanside have also been a salutary tonic.
Time and again I've heard that no two Peace Corps experiences are alike. These words ring truer now than ever. Now, as I wander around the ritziest parts of the country, they manifest. More so, I've concluded that it is most certainly NOT “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” as the speakers of the equitable shops declare. Nonetheless, I wish you all the happiest of holidays! Stay well!
Yes, I'm still here. As I approach my two week anniversary, I have just been told that should get comfortable because I may be here awhile. Now, those weren't exactly the rousing words of stimulation I was hoping for.Now, the first week wasn't so bad. I managed to keep myself pretty busy. The Peer Support Network training/planning session went very well. I am proud to say that I am one of the Committee Coordinators for the rookie program. We set up goals, roles, and a mission statement with a little training and techniques session conducted by a psychologist who works for the embassy.
I also spent a couple of days in the central office helping to redesign the format of how youth develop workers conduct their reports. That too was nice because it gave me a chance to see the Peace Corps office life. (I still prefer the “field work”). I even spent a day at a fellow volunteer who is stationed about 45 minutes away from where I am staying volunteering at an orphanage in her town. I also provided an embarrassing sum of stool samples . Let's just say that if there was a professional league...OK, I'll just stop there.
The specialist I saw the other day provided me with a risible amount of medication; I'm taking four pills a day for two weeks. For the sake of substandard humor everywhere, let's just say that the news was hard to swallow (really, I'm sorry about that one). But seriously, I'll be staying here until I have completed the cycle. Then, we'll take things from there.
To add to discomforts and discontent, I had a rather serious and staggering meeting with the Peace Corps doctor the day following my examination. Early that morning, I went to his office and had been informed that I will need to change sites. Yes, that's it. I really don't have a voice in the matter. The message was quickly relayed to the head of the youth development program who wasted no time in initiating discussion about a new location for me. This was before all the dust even had a chance to settle from the first bomb dropped.
Unfortunately, her ideas did not include keeping me in my current department for fear that my health problem could perpetuate. I was not impressed. I have grown quite attached to area, its colossal mountains, and its resonant culture. However, and again, I really didn't have a voice in the matter. I then went back to the Peace Corps doctor and inquired about possible site changes within the department that he could approve of. Mercifully, he yielded two possibilities; both larger cities. I then went back to my boss and shared the scoop.
She approved. Therefore, I am currently corresponding with former volunteers who served in the areas to see what possibilities exist. It's been a very uncomfortable and a somewhat embarrassing endeavor. Things have yet to really solidify. What about the projects? The people? My home-stay family? Yeah, I know; tragedies and tribulations. I'm stuck in a quandary of where to even begin thinking about thinking of the state of affairs.
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to adjust to life in a big city as my health improves resolutely. I've begun to calibrate a new life at sea level. It seems I have forgotten exactly what freeways, food alternatives, and looking both ways before crossing were all about. However, I've never slept better than now, when encompassed in the urban silence.In further notes of sanguineness, the entire group of health and environment volunteers from an anterior group are currently in Lima undergoing their medical checks. Not only has it been a great opportunity to get to spend some time with a fascinating group of people (Peace Corps Volunteers always have the most formidable table talk), but there are other volunteers who have been in situations comparable to mine. Their empathetic words and ears have been very remedial. Visits to the oceanside have also been a salutary tonic.
Time and again I've heard that no two Peace Corps experiences are alike. These words ring truer now than ever. Now, as I wander around the ritziest parts of the country, they manifest. More so, I've concluded that it is most certainly NOT “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” as the speakers of the equitable shops declare. Nonetheless, I wish you all the happiest of holidays! Stay well!
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