Weighing in at.....

A little over a week has past since I began packing. First challenge was to fit all of the clothing that you see below into these three bags to the right. With absolutely no time remaining the seemingly insurmountable task was finally accomplished Thursday February 18. 

After a week of sorting, eliminating and re-sorting and eliminating some additional items, I finally managed to pare done my luggage to a mere 40 lbs. over weight.  However, considering what I had started with 120 lbs. of luggage seemed slim and trim. 

 I on the other hand was not so slim and trim. After one breakfast, four lunches, and five dinners, and several lattes I was beginning to also feel 40 lbs overweight.  Little did I know that this was not the end of my food splurge.  After two more surprise parties and one late night Skyline chili I vowed to abstain from food for forty days and forty nights. 

 I did manage to get all of my multiple carry ons on despite the two carry on rule,  I managed to carry on one pillow, a binder, an 11x14 picture, a back pack, a computer and a roller carry on, and no one even blinked.  To continue my good luck the seat next to me was empty and the lady across the aisle saw my peace corps things and informed me one of her friends is serving in the PC in Guyana, He has been there for a year and she is sending him my e-mail so he can hopefully provide me with some good new comer advice. Is this a small world or what?  Also I happen to be one of the luckiest people I know. 

  

As you can see my fast lasted until the Philly steak and cheese. 

I have had an amazing past week. I have 

unloaded a truck load of things at my friend's

house and she has yet to complain. Every single

friend has met me at my convenience and friends

whom I wanted to see but it just did not work

out were amazingly understanding. I am really

blessed.

Today was the first real Peace Corp day.We all registered and had our first sign in.  We all

started to get acquainted and spent the evening together at Abner's ... the origin of my Philly Cheese.  The group is diverse in both age and geography.  Everyone is interested in getting to

know everyone.  Later some of the group went off to see some of Philly, but I had done that earlier today,  As planned I saw Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and climbed the Rocky steps., all 72 of them, 144 if you count coming down. The steps actually lead to the Art Museum. I was saddened to discover that Sly Stalone actually only did 5 of the steps and a stunt double did the rest, so much for hero's.  At least he looks good as a statue and the steps were fun.

Tomorrow we actually start learning what and where we will be for the next few months. I have learned that I have not been alone on the emotional roller coaster, but was unknown to me accompanied by all of my fellow PCV's.  Since it is now about 2:30 AM I think that it is time for me to sleep.  Less than 24 hours from now I will be on a plane to Guyana. More form there when I arrive.

Hope this post finds all well.  Will be back later.

The Journey Begins

This is a journey of beginnings and  endings.  It is the end of a life as I have known it for many years. As I start on this new journey I have discovered many things .  First and foremost I have had the privilege of hearing first hand what many people only have said about them after they die.  This past week I said good-bye to a job of over 20 years.  At my departure party I was told so many wonderful things by so many people with whom I have worked.  The week end before this I had the wonderful pleasure of spending time and saying good-bye to my family, all of whom made me felled incredibly loved. It made me realize how I should not neglect telling people how much they mean to me. Why is it so hard to tell people how much they mean to us?  To each of you receiving this,  know that you in some way have made an indelible mark on my life which I appreciate and hold dear. 

Secondly I have learned that most of us have much more than we need.  In fact more than we can ever use, but we cling to it with great ferocity. However once you start to let go of all of this material clutter the feeling of freedom is quite surprising and unexpected.  So enough sermonizing,  is that a word???  I am about to embark upon one of the great journeys of my life.  Almost 4 years after the death of my soul mate I am attempting to find new purpose and goals for myself.  As many of you know I will be leaving next week for Guyana, South America to begin service in the Peace Corps. This comes about 1 1/2 years after I received my first post card from the Peace Corps, saying  "Have you ever thought about joining the Peace Corps?" I can honestly say I never had, but just prior to receiving this card I was searching for some new way to approach life. The more I investigated this option the more right it seemed. As I stand here today it seems perfect.  The journey has not been without difficultly. The signs you see above had been up since the middle of August. Not anticipating the great October collapse I did not also know that 3 weeks before departure I would still have my house unrented and unsold.  Then out of the blue a gentleman calls and rents the house for the exact amount of time that I will be gone. He will be moving in as I leave. Life is always a surprise. So things continue to work out.  I start my journey next Sunday in Philadelphia, where I have never been to visit. I will start at the Liberty Bell, proceed to Independence Hall and finish at the Rocky statue and trying to do a Rocky climb of the steps. We'll see how that goes. After a short orientation on Monday we will proceed to JFK for departure to Guyana. I received a call from the Peace Corps representatives in Guyana on Friday and now know that we will be in Georgetown for three days before going to the Essequibo Region. I have not attempted to imagine or anticipate anything but have decided to go with the flow.My challenges so far have consisted in removing all personnal things from my home, which seemed to multiply by the minute, and to figure out how to downsize my life into two suitcases.... I am still working on that one. My emotional roller coaster is beginning to level out for a while but it has been quite a ride. Things have worked out my bills are now autopaid and my Real Estate is rented and thanks to my daughter and Holly I can now use Skype, a definite disadvantage if you are not looking your best, but actually a wonderful invention. Next step Guyana.