T-Minus One Month

Wow! There’s less than a month until my departure, and there’s so much to do.  I put in my two weeks’ notice at work, yesterday.  It was a little emotional, but overall, it went well.  Everyone at work was extremely supportive.  There were tears and hugs, but then they asked what kind of food I wanted at my going away party and suggested we do a farewell roast…of this I am terrified, but at least everyone took the news of my resignation in stride. 

This weekend, I’ll continue to pawn off my furniture and further empty my apartment.  I also have my last official event as a Girl Scout leader; I’ll miss those crazy kiddos. I’m kind of freaking out about last minute finances (selling car, paying off debt, rolling over 401k, etc.), but I have been in contact with a pen pal who is currently volunteering in Belize who has started to put my mind at ease.  She said that she has not yet used any of her own money, the stipend from the Peace Corps and host family arrangement has been sufficient for all her in-country needs.  Good to hear!

I finalized my flight itinerary to Miami last week.  All the volunteers assigned to Belize will meet there for a daylong orientation event called “staging”.  We all fly out together to Belize the next morning.  I’m so excited to meet everyone I will be working with for the next two years, but I’m nervous at the same time, of course, because I have absolutely no idea what to expect.  I’ll be sure to keep you posted!

Love always,
Jess