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