Dear Tonga, Ready When You Are

I haven't posted in a month as it's been very busy and all about preparedness.  Nothing exciting or insightful. But, we are now down to 2 weeks before departure to LA and it's all about excitement, nerves and a great deal of anticipation for the journey.  I've been in contact with some of the current volunteers and THANK YOU for your very helpful information.  There are more questions I could ask but experiencing the unknown is what leads me to learning, memories and fireside tales.

Bags are packed (3 times at last count) and hopefully with some sense of organization.  Household is boxed except for those daily use items.  I have a very nice renter who is excited about moving in and I know she will take great care of my home.  Lola, The Calico Panther, otherwise known as the cat, has moved to her new home and I thought I was prepared for that event - yeah, right.  There's the obvious reason of not having her here, but the greater realization that all this is really, and finally, happening.  The next big event will be moving day and cleaning up - may the house Qi keep you happy, Sharon.

Countdown wouldn't be complete without some partying and enjoying time with extended family, friends, food and fun.  My twisted sisters from St. Croix and California are in Vegas this coming week, friends from No. Carolina are moving back to Vegas the following week and my neighbors are hosting a farewell party with Vegas buddies and other neighbors.  For a final out with the old, in with the new celebration, I'll be met in LA by my colleague, travel buddy, friend and mentor.  Thanks mijo!

Soon I'll walk through my front door, bags and backpack in tow.  Going far?  Nope, just across the street to stay with my neighbors for a few days on the road to LA - one stop at a time.

Pause for commercial:
I will be doing the Peace Corps Correspondence Match program.  One teams up with a school class for a pen-pal arrangement to learn of my first hand experiences and the teacher receives teaching aids, curriculum,  etc. to reinforce the Peace Corps mission of Americans' understanding of other peoples and cultures.  I am excited to meet one of my classes next week @ Whitney School in Las Vegas.  Can't wait to hear what a class of 4th graders are curious about learning of Tonga. I'm also teaming up with a class of 1st and 2nd graders in Ann Arbor, MI.  Fortune was with me a couple of months ago and I made friends (again) with Tracey.  I say again, as I'm sure we have a previous life history and this time she is sharing her class at Ann Arbor Open @ Mack.  How cool to have a class in Ann Arbor where the Peace Corps was 'born' 50 years ago.  You just can't ignore those signals!  Thanks to both classes for the opportunity.  If you know a teacher, please spread the word.
We now return you to our regular programming.

Tale of the Enchanted Postcard

Remember how in The Chronicles of Narnia the kids discovered the wardrobe, got inside and suddenly found themselves transported to Narnia?  They really were just being kids playing hide and seek and the next thing you know they were faced with the reality of their destiny. Great fun to read, fantasize about and rent on a DVD, but fiction, nevertheless, you say.  I always thought so myself, until...

I retired in 2004 and for a few years was like a kid playing hide and seek, enjoying my hard-earned and greatly-appreciated life of doing whatever I damn well pleased.   About two years ago, I knew this wasn't reality and I needed something to give a bit more meaning to my life.  You know, just one of those thoughts one has and then goes back to hide and seek.  On a 'nothing was special about it' kind of day I got the day's mail and had a postcard from the Peace Corps informing me of a recruiting meeting at a local library.  What struck me was the banner of "Life is calling.  How far will you go?"  Well, I didn't have far to go to get to the library on the appointed day.  I am now convinced that postcard was enchanted like a professor's wardrobe.  It had to have been embedded with some kind of powerful magic as now I find myself cleaning out drawers, closets and cabinets, trying to rent my sanctuary to strangers and packing duffels bags with heretofore unowned objects like a headlamp, cranking/solar powered radio/flashlight/USB charger combo device, travel hammock and microfiber towels.  I really am very fortunate.  The kids in the story had no time to prepare.  At least I have a packing list from the Peace Corps.  in about 6 weeks I leave for The Kingdom of Tonga and a rendezvous with my destiny.

 I'm so glad I heeded that enchanted postcard.  Check your mailbox daily.

Learn.  Grow.  Laugh.