Monday, May 19, 2008

I'm Official Now!

After 12 weeks of training I am now an official volunteer! We had the ceromony this morning at a very nice hotel here in town, the likes of which I have not experienced since the states (ie air conditioning!). The ceromony was short and attented by the Govorner of the Province, a representative from the US Embassy, Peace Corps staff, and many members of our host families. At the end we gave our oath to protect and represent the US constitution, and serve the people of Morocco.

One thing I love about our sector... I have never seen so many people dressed up in nice shirts, ties, and dresses AND wearing sandals. Chocos, tevas, flip-flops; all were fair game. I myself sported my pinstrip suit pants and a buttonup shirt with my reef sandals.



This is a picture of my CBT group with two of the teachers who helped make the environment movie. From the left: Oddssey, Said, Mohammed, Me, Jamal, Jeannie, Logan, and Jake. The movie was so successful the teachers would like us to come back next year to help make another!

Many of you asked how I felt when I was leaving, and the anwser was...'a mix of so many emotions that I cant event begin to explain.' Tomorrow I officially begin this adventure of a lifetime... and I feel strikingly similar. Im excited, Im scared...Im ready, and Im so not ready... Im nervous, but Im confident. Confident that, with support from friends and staff here in Morocco and everyone back home, that I can do this. No one knows what the next two years has in store for me, but theres only one way to find out! It will no doubt be hard (living without running water for 2 years) but I know I will grow immensily, and hopefully I can pass on some of what I learn to everyone back home. The Peace Corps has three goals: provide technical assistance, promote understanding of Americans by other cultures, and promote understanding of other cultures by Americans. Sounds simple enough... here goes!