Hola, Buenas Tardes mis amigos, estoy en el proceso de la preparacion para mi vida nueva

After the long journey that is the Peace Corps Application and Selection process, countless frustrations, joys and many moments of not really knowing what might become of my chances. March this year brought around the answer I had been hoping for throughout my numerous months of waiting. I received an invitation to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, and ironically at the time I received the invite, I was in the country I will being serving in a few days. The picture below, expresses my feelings at the time (trust me it was a long process, and I think my journey was bit irregular in many categories).

For myself, this is a the realization of an experience I have dreamed about since I was a boy. My father was a Peace Corps volunteer, so throughout my childhood I've listened to his stories, and I do believe that it helped spark my desire to see and understand the world...well that and The Indian Jones trilogy...(I don't consider that last movie apart of the greatest that made up my childhood...I mean really aliens Lucas.) Ok maybe without the pillaging and treasure hunting. Anyways.., I feel lucky to have grown up in the home with a RPCV father. It has definitely shaped many of my views and understandings of the people around me. At least, I believe it has helped me maintain an open mindedness toward other cultures and a desire to see and understand the world. I think my experiences in Guatemala, and traveling through Ecuador solo nearly two months ago has given me a little taste of what life in Latin America may be like. And I must say I enjoy it very much, from soccer to salsa there are many things that Latin America has to offer.

Now with the last few days of relaxing (packing, getting paperwork done--there is a heck of a lot to do in that little blue folder) at home flying by. I have been trying to just enjoy it all, catch as many hammock moments as I can. However, the weather in northeast pa has now been very cooperative thus far. There was a wonderful week of awesome weather, and now were back to the not-so wonderful rain and fog.

I've been enjoying the simple parts of home life: good food, comfortable bed, great food, relaxation, and grandma's food, oh and before I forget Puppies. Recently, we have had two new additions to the family in the form of adorable border collie/Golden retriever/ Australian Shepherd mixes. They are full of energy and are a constant source of entertainment. It's incredible the rate that they have grown over three months and the quantity of tricks they have been learning thus far.

From right to left in the Left picture: Chula y Guapo. Meanings of the their names: Cute and Handsome. That they truly are. Y el hombre en la foto a la derecha es mi, por supuesto sin barba




This is the first of what I hope to be many blogs into what my life abroad in Ecuador will shape up to be. I am also starting to investigate what goes into a blog look pretty. I consider myself a goofball majority of times and like to laugh so some things may seem random and nonsensical. Well, more than likely that describes myself pretty well, maybe directed randomness is better.