Swan Song Adventures

What's the deal with this picture? What does it mean? Learn the significance here. 

My Last Hurrah. My Final Round. My Swan Song. My last days before leaving the United States...

The goal » See as many people as possible one last time before moving to Madagascar
The challenge » Complete the goal within the month of January, via road tripping

So goes my Swan Song Adventures...

»Stop 1: Phoenix, AZ, 5 days

With my mom, sister, and two nephews, I drive from central Texas to Phoenix. We visit my Grammi, aunt, uncle, and two cousins (oh, and my Grammi's cat). Aside from being delayed seven extra hours in a Texas ice storm, it's an excellent trip.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona

»Stop 2: Cherokee, TX, 3 days

I meet up with other Aggies For Christ members in Cherokee to serve at the local children's home. Each year AFC members go on "Weeklong" trips; groups split and travel to eight Texas children's homes to assist and encourage children and staff. This is my fourth year to go to Cherokee, although this time I'm only able to stay for three days instead of the full week.

AFCers wear "war paint" to the 
Cherokee Middle School and 
High School basketball games.

Giving pigs "crew cuts" for the livestock show is a 
traditional Cherokee Weeklong project.

finis

Movie still from Madagascar (2005)

Preparing to die.

That's what I feel I've been doing for the last five months. More in an amusing way than a morbid way. An amusing--but very real--way. 

Reality sharpened when I received my Peace Corps assignment and departure date. Priorities shifted at the realization of an approaching drastic life change. 

The first thing that changed? I stopped dressing up every day. Just kidding... I've never dressed up every day. But other things quickly became unimportant and impractical. I quit

Party Pooper

Saturday Night Live's Debbie Downer (photo from quickmeme)

I am the Party Pooper.

When my family suggested a send-off party for me, I couldn't tell them no. I knew it was something they wanted to do because they love me. So, with hidden inward objection, I consented to a party.

Oi. Most people know me by my extroverted side. The side of me that is always ready for fun. The side of me that socializes until I could pass out from all the conversing, smiling and laughing. The Energizer Bunny side of me....

Few people know of my introverted side. The side of me that secretly fears the inability to escape a social cluster. The side of me that gets uncomfortable with too much attention. The side of me that gets tired and grouchy from the hustle and bustle around me. The Party Pooper side of me.

A send-off party? For me? Oh no. This party is bad news for a Party Pooper.

Bad news for a Party Pooper, indeed. So it's a good thing my Party Pooper side had to eat. my. shorts.

The party was incredible. Any discomfort I felt faltered to radiating encouragement and support. I was taken up with joy. I was excited to be with those around me. I was deeply

Live Action

It started as a mere concept and theory. It started as a collection of words--peace, justice, compassion, understanding, development, service--that first manifested intellectually. A collection of words that patiently, painstakingly grew beyond a theory and sunk into my heart.

It started with me. How easy it was to

Aspiration Statement

My Aspiration Statement for my Peace Corps Madagascar assignment identifies my strategies and expectations for training and service.


»Identify three professional attributes that you plan to use during your Peace Corps service and how these will help meet your aspirations and commitment to service.

Resourcefulness, diligence, and communication skills are three professional attributes I plan to utilize in my Peace Corps service. I hope to be resourceful by finding creative solutions, seeking opportunities, and networking with others. In diligence, I will strive to

Pilot

My Peace Corps journey begins at the end of my normal, Stateside life. In 40 days, I leave for Madagascar... In 40 days, I leave Texas. I leave for new adventure... I leave the familiar. I trade the known for the unknown, the comfortable for the challenging.

I am grieved to leave much... My community, my nephews, and cheeseburgers. I am relieved to leave some... Let's not specify those. But I