Senga na Lega

Senga na Lega: It means "no worries" in Fijian. The first time I heard this, I, of course, had to continue the classic tune from the Lion King. Its no surprise that Fijians have a phrase to match their laidback island lifestyle!

The boyfriend, ie: Max, continues to enjoy Fiji and I was finally able to procure some pictures!

Max is a kid magnet everywhere he goes!

Just hanging at a waterfall, no big deal ;)

I don't think Arizona even has the ability to contain this many shades of green!

Relaxin' in Paradise

Gracing a Rugby tournament with his presence

In less than two weeks, Max will learn where his final placement will be and then on November 1st he will be officially sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer! 

I'm proud of him. Although I often complain of my time stuck waiting for my own departure in the US,  he's struggled through ups and downs as well. Sure, its Fiji, the so-called "posh corps" of Peace Corps, but being separated from home and those you love can be tough too. Food is different, culture is different, and its hard to ever really feel comfortable when you have so little control over your immediate future. It'll be exciting to see where he's placed; there's a rumor he may be sent to an outlying island.

We are able to communicate almost daily (though I'm still figuring out the cheapest way to do this) and it is great to hear about his days. Stories of rats falling from the ceiling, crazy thunderstorms, cliff jumping, bucket baths, rugby, the paradise-type views around every corner. We drag out our conversations never wanting to be the first to hang up. We talk enough to capture our days together, but its not quite the same as being with each other.

Time is my greatest adversary at the moment. Luckily, it continues to drag on no matter what you do. A considerable amount of time stands between now and when I can visit Max, an even larger chunk between me and Mozambique, and years between now and when Max and I will be living again in the same country. But pass it will, albeit at a glacial pace. I'm just impatient with waiting and ready to get started on an adventure of my own. But "Senga na Lega," no worries, life will continue and each day is an opportunity for an adventure in itself!

The Price of Love

Relationships in general are expensive. Dinners for two, movie dates, concerts, gifts....love doesn't have a price, but the money sure seems to disappear more quickly! Long distance, even more so.

Email/Skype: free but not accessible at moment

Text to Fiji: $0.03

Call from Fiji to US: $0.18/min

Text Fiji to Phoenix: $0.19

Letter to Fiji: $0.48

Call from US cell to Fiji: $0.50/min

Call from US landline to Fiji: $3.51/min

Package (small padded envelope): $12

Package (8x10 padded envelope): $18

Package (small box): $24

Stuff in packages (candy, mac n cheese, magazines, cookies, Halloween goodies): variable

Roundtrip airfare Phoenix to Fiji: $1150

That day I get to have my hollywood airport reunion moment: Priceless

What brings up this post? Well, lets just say I made a huge tiny mistake. I foolishly used my landline phone to call Fiji all through the month of September not knowing the rate because it had the best connection and fewest dropped calls. Long story short, the phone bill was nearly twice the cost of roundtrip airfare!

Luckily, I was able to get it reduced by backtracking to an international calling plan, but its still a lot of money that could have been spent elsewhere!

Wake Me Up When September Ends

It has finally been a month....1 month and I am still in Phoenix, the boyfriend is still in Fiji. But we have made it this one month, which I count as an accomplishment. I don't know about anyone else, but September is my least favorite month of the calendar year (December is top...birthdays and Christmas can't be beat!). Every other month seems to have something going for it, but September, nothing, nada. Its bordered by the beginning of the school year and Halloween. It always seems to crawl by only to be forgotten.

October though, October feels positive. Pumpkin spice lattes, boots, and Hocus Pocus; October has reasons to get excited! 

Every morning I woke up excited to cross off another dragging day.

Any other Peace Corps volunteers looking for advice about long distance relationships: its not easy. The first month is crappy, plus it was September so double crappiness. But we're figuring it out. We talk on the phone almost daily. I'm able to text him for 3 cents a text. Though its expensive for him to text back, these one-sided conversations keep me sane. Knowing that I can tell him things throughout the day makes me happier and makes his absence not quite as pronounced. We are committed to staying connected, whatever it takes. International calling is expensive, but I would pay anything to hear to his voice everyday.

Its just weird that I haven't actually seen his face in a month. Unfortunately, I won't be able to visit till February :( The Peace Corps doesn't allow visitors during training or your first 3 months at site. February cannot come soon enough!

 But its exciting to know that all the experiences I get to hear him gush about will be my experiences, in some way or another, once I get to Mozambique! Plus I have tons of time to save up for more plane tickets to Fiji and learn some Portuguese! Tchau! (Goodbye!)

The countdown has begun...abeit a little early. 235 days to go!

Happier Than a Camel on Humpday! INVITATION!

Oh happy day!!

It finally happened! I opened up my email yesterday morning to find "Peace Corps - Invitation!" sitting in my inbox.

......drumroll, please........

I will be going to MOZAMBIQUE! 

My official title is "Community Health and Organizational Strengthening Worker" (quite the mouthful!). I will be working with local non-govenmental organizations to improve health outcomes by assisting them with training and systems strengthening techniques as well as improving HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support problems/programs. It may be office-based, community/field-based, or more likely, a combination of both. The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese from when they were originally a Portuguese colony back in the day. Since its similar to Spanish, I should be able to pick it up no problem. (Can't get cocky too soon though, I'm sure my Portuguese will be slow and caveman like for the first year)

The only let down is that I won't leave till May 28th. Having started this whole application process last September, I had my hopes set for a sooner departure date. I was originally told I would leave in August of 2013, then by March of 2014 at the latest. Well, May is a bit further than that, but I can't do anything but take it when I've put my life on hold for this for so long.

Once that magical date comes upon us, I will finally be starting this amazing adventure. I will fly to Mozambique with a crew of other shakingly excited Peace Corps Volunteers. The first 10 weeks I will live with a host family while I go through intensive language, cultural, technical, and safety training and then I will be placed somewhere in country, connected with an organization and on my own for two years. The Peace Corps is often called "The hardest job you'll ever love" and I believe it! 

I'll be updating more with history, culture, and info on Mozambique as I'm sure to be hoarding all the information I can find! Plus, whoever reads this blog gets to look forward to hearing about the struggles of packing two years of my life into two 50 lb bags!

And quick boyfriend update: He's loving his host family and boasts about the gorgeousness of Fiji whenever he can. Phones and texting are a God-send! Although I wouldn't trust their mailing system; he hasn't reported receiving any of my hugs lately. Really though, there are ups and there are downs, this sums up Peace Corps.

Almost a year from submission to invitation, but the waiting isn't over yet!

Love > Distance

So...it has officially been one week since my wonderful and amazing boyfriend ventured forth to Fiji. I never really considered what an emotional toll that long distance relationships take until I realized that I was in one; a 2+ year one. This week has felt almost like a year in itself as days seemed to crawl along. Its hard to suddenly not be able to make comments, tell jokes, or hug the person, my best friend, who was always at my side. 

BUT, it is getting easier. I am beginning to feel much more at peace with everything and think logically again without tears. Yes, I miss him. Terribly. I always will until we are finally reunited for good. But we both chose to do the Peace Corps. We knew what we were getting into, and, yes, these next couple years won't be quite as fun because there will always be something missing, but we have these opportunities to grow as individuals and to grow in our relationship.

He has a phone and for now we get to talk at least once a day. It doesn't feel like much, but I relish these calls. Texting is even an occasional occurrence, at least while I'm still here in the states. And, supposedly, Skype might be a possibility in the future! These next 2+ years are going to be different. I can't allow myself to worry if our relationship will survive, though all the statistics are against us. I just have to focus on the now. I know that we are strong and that we are us. Comparing our relationship to others offers nothing. Whatever happens, will happen, but we are going to do all we can to stay connected!

TTFN

Yesterday, the love of my life left for his own Peace Corps adventure in Fiji. If I could, I would have dived into his suitcase along with him, but my own assignment will come along soon enough. I'm so proud of him and so excited to see what Fiji has in store for him. His undeniable friendliness and loud (it really is loud!) laughter will sure open up many doors despite language barriers. I'm going to miss his hugs, laugh, and jokes for a while but, hey, I guess I have to share him with the Fijians for a bit.

Its a weird feeling, being left behind. Normally, I'm the one traveling, not staying in the states. I know he's not leaving me forever, but its hard to say goodbye for two years, especially when my own future is up in the air right now. Of course, I'm already browsing plane tickets to visit him at the end of December; four months can't be so bad. He's told me that the other trainees are "right up my alley"which only increases my excitement and anxiety for my own placement and start of service. Hopefully I get some news on an invitation this week (fingers crossed)!

Progress!!!!!

Medical Pre-Clearance...Finally!!!! Yay!!!!

After being stuck in pre-clearance for so long, I'm finally moving forward!