Peace Corps

"Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God."

-Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

On June 3rd, 2010 I will depart bright and early for San Francisco where I will have orientation with the rest of the PCV's scheduled to depart for Mongolia. On June 4th we will set sail to the far east, arriving June 5th. I will spend approximately 10 weeks living in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, where I will undergo intensive technical skills, cultural and language training. I will officially begin my assignment at the end of August; however, the location has yet to be determined.

Mongolia came as quite a surprise the day I opened my Invitation Packet. Looking back (dang that hindsight bias!), I guess it sort of makes sense. The more time I've had to think about it and the more people I've talked to, has gotten me pretty stoked. But of course, I am trying to control those expectations and excitment, so that I may take this experience for whatever it unravels to be.

With the memories of my Salsa lessons from last year wearing away, I look forward to new dancing lessons...Stay tuned!

Voyages

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

To find this and other great quotes contained in Voyages: A Travel Journal, check out:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0880882395/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0811814793&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Z09C1NXNAWRW2A8SZP8

Job Detail -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l

NEW JOB OPPORTUNITY Work with the Women Build team at Habitat for Humanity International! Currently seeking an Outreach Coordinator VISTA to begin May 2010. To learn more and apply, check out the link below.

Job Detail -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l

Build in Costa Rica with Habitat!

Join us as we embark on a journey to the world’s happiest and greenest country; Costa Rica! Home to diverse landscapes and warm Latin culture, we will be building in the north Pacific coast region of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. We are seeking fun, open-minded and flexible individuals who are eager to work hard and make the most out of our experience together. We will be working with the local community to provide decent housing solutions. No prior building experience is required.

Dates:
May 1-9, 2010

Itinerary:
Day 1 (Arrival day, typically Saturday): Greeted at the Alajuela airport by Habitat Costa Rica staff; shuttles to location if it can be reached before dark; dinner.
Day 2 (Sunday): Breakfast; travel to location (if necessary); orientation with Habitat Costa Rica staff member; tour of town; free time; dinner.

Days 2–7 (Workdays, Monday–Friday): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; daily transportation to site if needed; introduction to families, foreman and community; work site orientation; work from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (workdays will start earlier during hot or rainy seasons); lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; supper of typical Costa Rican food; free time for team activities and community exploration.

Day 8 (Saturday): Breakfast; free time; travel back to Alajuela; free time; dinner; overnight in Alajuela.

Day 10 (Final day, Sunday): Breakfast; departure.

Cost:
$1,200-1,500 + airfare

Co-Leaders:
April McKeegan-Garcia first fell in love with Habitat for Humanity three years ago on that fateful Global Village trip to Guatemala when suddenly, her vacation time and money would be devoted to GV builds forever more; and she couldn’t be happier! This will be her second time leading in Latin America; she led her first trip to El Salvador last summer. When April isn’t traipsing around the world (she’s up to 35 countries), she can be spotted hiking the Sierra Nevada’s with her husband Fermin and their yellow lab Dingo.

Mandy Moran is currently working in the Women Build department at Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, GA. She participated in her first Global Village trip to Colombia where friendship sparks flew and she met her now co-leader April. This will be her fifth Global Village trip and second time leading to Costa Rica. She has extensive international travel experience and is thrilled to have this opportunity to meet new people, build more homes, and explore another corner of the world!

If you are interested in joining our team, please email us at habitatgvtrip@gmail.com.

GALAVANTING in the Colorado Rockies

Check it out!

Give A Day, Get A Day

"When most people volunteer for a good cause, they generally aren't looking for any kind of reward. The act of giving one's time is, in itself, its own reward. But hey, getting something in return for volunteering is always appreciated, right? And when that something is a day at a Disney theme park, with passes going for as much as $79, well that's really appreciated. That's exactly what Disney is doing for 2010 with its Give a Day, Get a Disney Day promotion."

To read more, go to:

http://themeparks.about.com/od/disneyparks/a/DisneyDayVolunt.htm

Operation Christmas Child

Pack A Shoe Box!

NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK: November 16th - 23rd

We all know Christmas is more than just gifts under our tree; it's a religious celebration as well as a time to gather with those closest to us and share the joy of the Holiday season. Many children around the globe do not ever get to know these experiences we ourselves look forward to year after year after year. So do you have a few minutes to make Christmas a reality for a child living in poverty? Pack a shoe box full of Christmas goodies to be delivered by Operation Christmas Child around the world. On a basic level it will provide children with a tangible gift but even more importantly it will let them know that somewhere out there someone is not only thinking of them, but including them in their Holiday celebration.

Could it be any easier to spread a little Christmas love? Nope! For packing instructions and gift goody ideas, click here. Keep in mind that it's the thought that counts and fun gifts can be inexpensive (Dollar stores are great fun!!).

Interested in more than dropping off your shoe boxes? Look into year-round or Collection Week volunteer opportunities to be a Christmas Elf at one of their 2,000 collection sites.

This will be my 23rd Christmas, how about you? It's time to use our power to give ____ their 1st Christmas.