Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.

1 am, 21 Sept 09

Eyes are bugging out, very tired. So much to do and so little time.

I've posted info on Myspace and Facebook already, but I should post here as well. The hammer has fallen on the whole medical situation with the Peace Corps. I got off lucky with the surgery in Panama. I was given the option to go home to the Chicago area or return to post on SVG. The return to post option was based on my monthly check-ups with the local ENT. I was informed that when it came time for a second operation, I would be separated from service. Gut feeling is leading me to believe this time will be about 6-8 months or so from now. I met with our Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) on last week Friday and she agreed with me on that estimated guess. It is a pity that I probably was not going to make it to the full close of service with everyone else.

Seems as if I a bit premature to think I'd make it even that far. Turns out that the ENT doctor here, while rather good at what he does and very knowledgeable, does not have the equipment required to see deep enough inside the throat to check the problematic areas in completion. That judgment call was determined by PC Office of Medical Services (OMS) in Washington D.C. My PCMO called me just this past Wednesday to inform me of the OMS decision and that I had 7 days to wrap things up on SVG because I was being sent home on a medical separation.

It was kinda like getting hit rather hard in the stomach and I was at a loss for words. I told people here that the med sep day was like a dark rain cloud hanging in the distance. I told them it was as if that rain cloud was blowing in my direction and it would be here eventually--just seems that storm couldn't wait to arrive. Now I'm in the process of trying to reverse myself back into the American world and rediscover how/where to live back home. I spent the last 2 months or so before service getting all my i's dotted and t's crossed so I wouldn't have to worry about anything while I was away. 2 months...and now the PC says I have 7 days to flip back and 'normalize'. I suppose that in of self is better than many med sep. Those who are on medevac don't even get to return to post first to say their goodbyes and gather their personal things. (Those would be boxed and mailed back by PC staff members) At least this way I can get a sense of closure.

That closure hasn't been easy and I'm coming to realize just how many things I've managed to do over the past year and what it has meant for some of the people here. I had a rather tough assignment here when things fell apart with my host organization rather early into the assignment. Since then I dug deep into Spring Village and found niches here to fill. The people of my village have really taken to me come out to show support in my leaving. Many have even asked if they could file petitions and send letters to keep me here--although some of them still think I'm just hoarse and that silly about being sent home for hoarseness.

So I tossed together at the last minute a photo slideshow with music to honor the thngs I've witnessed and embraced over the past year. This tribute is just to my Vincy people that I've shared so much with over the past year. I wanted to have it ready for a going away party that I had on Saturday which much success. I might make one with the wonderful volunteers I've served with if time permits soon.


<< Just discovered that Youtube pulled the sound from the video for copyright issues on the 2nd one, don't know if they will eventually pull sound on the first. So I uploaded the video to Vimeo and have reposted it in one full video clip here for ya!>>>

Spring Village Goodbye from Shawn Rujedi on Vimeo.

One hell of a year. Thank you Spring Village and those who reside therein and the surrounding areas.

And on that note, I'm set to come home back to the Chicago area this coming Wednesday. Life will close this chapter and begin another. I still have a desire to pursue law/grad school in the fall of 2010 and now I just need to figure out the best way to fill the gaps till then.

Stay safe and happy,
ciao tutti,
~your local wannabe jedi
~Shawn

And tomorrow we leave!

Hey yall....

This is a last minute update. ^_^ Probably the last one for quite awhile. >.<

We are waking up REALLY early...won't say when....and leaving for our wonderful destinations for further training. Our trainers and coordinatiors here for the staging have been great. They are truly a source of knowledge and inspiration for the many months to come.

My time here so far has been a good experience and I am making some friends among the 39 of us. Some of us are saddened that we will only have a few more days to train together until we separate for our islands....but we have already agreed that gives us a reason to have reunions. The general air and spirit of the people here really is motivating and we are all very excited. Sure some may just say that we are new and of course.....why would we have even gotten this far if we were not truly wanting this. However I see great things happening in the future....not right away, but we will be planting the seeds that will bloom into wonderful things.

And I will be posting as I go. ^_^ See ya then.

ciao tutti

~your wannabe jedi

~Shawn

1st day.....arrived in Miami

Ok folks, maybe I am spoiling everyone by putting up another blog so soon....

Arrived in Miami 12:30 local time.....WOW! was I greeted by a humid heat wave and it was only supposedly 80F. It was good for me though...gonna have plenty more where that came from for the next couple years. However, as soon as I thought that I would be out in the humidity for awhile--I arrive at our hotel for check-in....and welcome back to the AC.

Checked in at 13:30 and found myself amid a training group of 39 volunteers. We are a good bunch, diverse in the age groups--from just out of college to the retired. There are a few married couples too. Everyone is slated to go the Eastern Caribbean; 3 of us are going to Dominica.

We played a few ice-breaker games and are beginning to know each other. We will be here tomorrow and fly out to our next stop--St Lucia--Wed @ 11. After a few days in St Lucia, I think we are breaking up to our respective islands. We probably won't see each other for quite awhile, but we will all meet up from time to time for group conferences and discussions through the years.

We have the evenings to ourselves and many of us went to a Cuban restaurant for dinner--Versailles. It was moderately priced, but the food was really good--as was the sangria. Of course I had a limited selection with my diet. I had black beans and rice, fried plantains, and garlic/egg soup. I have the feeling that I will be eating similar dishes for quite awhile. ^_^

Not too much else to report today. I sent out a mass text to the numbers that I have in my phone. Thanks for all the great replies. Don't forget to send me your contact info to my email--just in case something happens to my phone/address book.

ciao tutti!
~your wannabe jedi
~Shawn

Getting ready to go!

Hey everyone!
So it is the night before my latest adventure begins--The U.S. Peace Corps. (PC)
I have been asked frequently if I am nervous or excited or other typical emotions, but let it be said that I am 2 things--curious and curious. This trip will be a long time--26 months or so--and it will be one that I am sure will change me in good ways as well as allow me to help others where help is truly needed. Yeah, it will sure be a long time until I get to see all the homies again, but I do hope that you stay safe, out of trouble, and find the time to be successful in your dreams.

I have spent nearly all day packing and repacking--trying to make sure I have not forgotten anything. The PC gave me a suggested list of stuff to bring and said that we have an 80 lbs baggage limit. I really don't see how I could possibly pack all that stuff and still be under 80lbs....especially with books. >.<>.< My letter also informs me that sending things in padded envelopes is highly recommended, as boxes tend to be opened and taxed more frequently.

3. Internet
Yeah, there will be internet on Dominica (and I am sure St Lucia), but it certainly won't be the nice high speed that I have been spoiled with. It is time to go back to good-ol-reliable.....dial-up. Now I won't have consist access right away. Lots will depend on my training/volunteer schedule and where I will be physically. Don't expect to see me on myspace--I will log in rarely, if that. Sadly, there is too much flash and other graphics that will greatly slow my net-browsing down. That is partly why I created this blog here.....low bandwidth friendly. ^_^ I have also made a new email address for all the family and friends, friendsofshawn @ gmail . com Please don't send me any large file attachments--duh dial-up. And please be patient with my ability to reply. I don't know how busy I will be or how reliable my connections will be. My best method to talk to all of you will be through my blogs......and honestly, I probably won't be sending out too many individual/tailored emails. Oh yeah, I want to make sure that my address book is completely updated--so when you get a chance, please send me (to my new gmail email) your current address/phone/preferred email/and birthday. Yeah--the usual contact stuff. ^_^

In closing everyone, don't feel worried about me. Yeah, crime does happen--at times more that we'd like to admit, but our locations are chosen with safety as a major factor before we are placed on assignment. Also, the Eastern Caribbean has a strong medical system, even boasting many U.S. based medical schools. So if I get sick or injured, I will be well taken care of. Storms will be a common occurrence, depending on the time of year--but the people I will be living with have been surviving there for hundreds of years and I am sure they will teach me the tricks of how to survive with them and prosper.

Well, I really need to get off the computer, finish up, and get to bed. I'm getting up early and have a long day ahead of me.

Ciao tutti, Take care everyone and wish me luck. ^_^
~your wannabe Jedi
~Shawn