T minus 1 month give or take

Got my official staging materials!  My flight to Washington D.C. is on May 10th at 8:11 in the morning.  Then I attended a Peace Corps orientation and on May 11th at 6:05am I depart for Nica!  Clearly they didn't get the memo that I'm not a morning person but I guess this begins the whole "adaptation" thing huh?  Now I'm off to Ames, Iowa to say goodbye to Melissa and Amy!

Keeping busy

Many people have been asking what I'm doing to prepare for my 2+ year stint in Nica.  The answer: Rosetta Stone.  Yes, I know what you're thinking "Pete, aren't you already fluent in Spanish?"  Mayhaps but I need to practice otherwise I could forget important phrases.  For example, today I was kindly reminded how to say "the boys drink" and "the woman runs".  Hopefully by the time May 10th rolls around I'll speaking five word phrases...

-Pedro

Updates:

Sorry dear avid readers.  I have indeed neglected you and for that I apologize.  It will never happen again (crosses fingers).

The lack of update probably stems from my lack of material to update you with, but no longer!  I am receiving new and interesting information weekly now.  For example, my official packing list:

Khaki/linen pants
Jeans
Button-down collared dress shirts
Collared polos
Tshirts
Casual dress shoes
Loafers (not sure what they mean)
NO flipflops (any of you who know me know that I will obviously bring flipflops anyway)
Light longsleeves
Sweatshirts (I checked the weather in Masaya Nica today.  Currently 94 with a low of 72...)
Exercise shorts and shoes
Bathing suit
Rain jacket
Hap
Sandals (hypocrites?)
Sunglasses (bought some classy $10 aviators for my Pablo Escobar look)
Fingernail clippers
Towel
Umbrella
Alarm clock
Duct tape
Combination locks
Pictures
Playing cards
Water bottles
Jumpdrive
School supplies
Camera
Headlamp (for all the caving I'm going to do?)
MP3 player
Favorite snacks

And that's about it.  I'll give you the officially official list of what I'm packing (must be less than eighty lbs...) once the process begins.  Also, this should give you all an idea of what to bring when you come visit!


-PJS

Soy Famoso!

So Bradley University contacted me for an interview to use me to benefit their public relations (not complaining).  But then they never print the article so I ditch my modesty and google myself.  Sure enough, the Wheaton Trib has an online story about me using (some of) the quote I gave Bradley.  Weiiiiiird.

http://triblocal.com/wheaton/community/stories/2011/01/wheaton-north-alum-enters-peace-corps/

Homework?!

So after my extended victory lap around Bradley University, I thought I was done with take home assignments.  Enter the US Peace Corps.  After several hours banging my head against the keyboard (and even more hours spent procrastinating) I finally created an "Aspiration Statement" and Resume that I was happy with.  Not too much to do now expect create shopping and packing lists and start saying goodbyes!

Nobody likes the USPS...

So I had to apply for my second US Passport (so for whatever reason, I'll have two functioning passports--Jason Bourne style).  The state department mails me the application and a prepaid UPS envelope.  I guess even the US State Department doesn't trust the US Postal Service to deliver my passport timely.  Joke is on me I guess, the "prepaid" envelope was expired so I had to pay for it anyway.

IT'S OFFICIAL

Got my invitation to serve!  On May 10th, I'll be going to Masaya, Nicaragua as a business educator and adviser.  In normal speak, I'll be teaching in two local highschools (with the assistance of a local Nicaraguan teacher) and doing free consulting to local businesses.  Much to do before I leave but I'll keep everyone posted!