FAQs

Lots and lots of people have been asking about my plans for the Philippines and what I will be doing. I'm not going to lie, I love talking about it. But, maybe I could answer some of the frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.s, if you will) on here. They include:

1. Where are you going?
2. What will you be doing?
3. Are you excited?
4. Are you nervous?
5. Do you know anyone else who is going?
6. Will you get to come home at all?
7. Is there anything that you need or want?

There are many other questions, I am sure, but these have been the most common. If you have any, feel free to comment on this post, and I will post the question and answer for all to see. Please keep them nicely worded, as I know how rebellious all you blog-readers can be :).

1. Where are you going?
By now, most of you know that I'm going to the Philippines. I accepted my invitation to serve there right before spring break, in mid-March. In mid-August, I'll be leaving to join the rest of the crew (about 30 volunteers total) in a city in the U.S. for a two-day staging event (pre-departure orientation). After we all get slightly acquainted, we'll ship off (well, fly off, to be technical) to the Philippines, where we'll participate in a three-month training (technical training, safety training, language training, health, and cultural training). This will probably occur in Manila or somewhere near, although I don't know that for sure yet. Sometime during the first few weeks of training, I'll receive my site assignment (we receive the assignments typically earlier than PCVs in other countries, because the placement will determine the language of study...although many of us are studying Tagalog at the moment, courtesy of the Peace Corps). After training, I'll head to live with a new host family in my new community!

2. What will you be doing?
I am a Children, Youth, and Families volunteer, which means (ding, ding, ding!) I'll be working with the kiddos and, you guessed it, their families. Site placements can vary - I could be working at a residential facility or a community center or with street children, or many other placements as well. I don't have my description booklet here at the moment, but I'll be working within a program under the Filipino government that focuses on youth services. Youth development is my dream job, so I'm pretty excited to get my feet wet.

3. Are you excited?
Well, I sort of just answered this question, but YES. It cannot come soon enough, and I am so looking forward to everything the future holds - the work I'll be doing, the connections I'll be making, the experience I'll be gaining, the relationships that will be forming, the places I'll be seeing, etc. So excited for it all.

4. Are you nervous?
Honestly, at this moment, I'm not. This will probably change as the time comes closer, but this is something that I've wanted to do since I was eight years old. Therefore, I've been thinking and dreaming about these moments for a good sixteen years. I know that whatever I have pictured will be completely different, but I'm excited nonetheless. At the moment, the only nervousness I have is evenly split between the worry of overpacking and the small thought of what if I don't fit in? I hope both of these nervous spots dissipate as the time nears, as they are the typical worries before I go anywhere.

5. Do you know anyone else who is going?
At the moment, no, not in person. However, there has been much chatter on Facebook, and connections are beginning.

6. Will you get to come home at all?
Tricky question. I do accumulate vacation days as PCV, and I am able to use these vacation days any way I see fit. I am planning on using them by travelling through the country and enjoying family and friend visits. Plane tickets to the States are also expensive. Therefore, unless something bad happens (and hopefully not...), I will not be returning home during that time - so come visit me!

7. Is there anything that you need or want?
As my main worry is overpacking, there is nothing that I really need from others (unless you want to chip in for the iPod I just bought or contribute money/gift cards to the large amount of tampons that I'll need). But speaking of the iPod (I'm so excited to own one...it WAS on the packing list), I would absolutely love, love, LOVE (if you want or insist on sending something with me) mixed CDs of your favorite music! I can then put the music on my iPod and I can think of you at any moment! So great!

There may be more FAQs than I am thinking of at the moment. Like I said, just ask, and you shall be answered!

Mucho love.