Living an Extraordinary Life

The count UP has begun!! I leave for Fiji May 17th. I have a generous mixed bag of emotions, excitement, fear, missing people I haven't left yet.

I get the same questions again & again so I thought I would address them:

1. Why the hell are you doing this?
Because I have committed myself to living an extraordinary life & i think joining the Peace Corps counts. I feel like I have reached my maximum wing capacity in my hometown of Cleveland, OH & desire to experience living in a whole new way.

2. What will you be doing for 2+ years?
(The work part) My "title" is community health volunteer, so my understanding is doing nutrition education, positive lifestyle habits, confidence building activities etc. I am hoping this includes teaching yoga...I'm sure I will find a way. And maybe I can teach them the basics of Mambo...hmmm, not sure if that will go over so well. I can just hear the village mayor "You sent us this woman that just dances around whipping her head, shaking her hips & doing body rolls all day!!??". HA!
(The fun part) Learning how to cook traditional Fijian foods, learn their native dance, swim, snorkel, learn how to surf, hike, yoga & reeellaxxxx.....the Fijian way--which I've learned they have mastered like a fine art.

3. Will you have a phone &/or computer?
Most likely I will have a phone, but not right away. Training is 7 weeks or so & I may not have one then. I will have my computer but internet access is questionable. Not sure when or how often. Many current volunteers have blogs so I imagine access will be fairly regular.

4. Will you have running water & electricity??
Probably?? Really I have no idea...& somehow oddly I am okay with that.
Probably because its more of a surreal concept then a reality. Hopefully, yes & yes. While water quality will be questionable & electricity intermittent some volunteers have both all of the time.

5. What can you bring?
2 bags, totaling 80#, no one bag can weigh more than 50# How am I gonna pack all of my supplements & skincare?? Ha! Just cause I am on a tropical island does not mean I will skimp I what I consider essential. High maintenance, perhaps, there are other things I can do without though like socks & underwear :) (all I will be wearing is flip-flops & underwear is overrated)

I am a "lister"..always have been..so
Things I Will Miss
My Mom's awesome hugs
Sunday dinners at my dad's & "desserting" for hours after with my sisters
Interpretive W African dancing with my sisters to hip-hop music
The W Side Market
Yoga at a real yoga studio
the local college radio station
Talking to Colleen everyday
Salsa dancing...oh that one reallly stings
Refrigeration
WIFI
My bicycle
The Metroparks
Washing machines & dishwashers..oh yes, all by hand friends, all by hand.
Oh crap this list is getting too long....& I 'm sure once i'm in Fiji it will get much longer--but for now, not to exclude...of course, all of my unbelievably loving friends, students and family.

Things I Won't Miss
SNNNOOOWWWWWWW!
Lack of sun for days on end
Worrying about the price of gas...no driving the ENTIRE time I'm gone.
Wal-Marts
College loan payments

Hm, this list is much shorter. Probably because I have a f*^#ing awesome life & really do appreciate what I've got.

I am going to do my best to keep all abreast of any updates & happenings.
Peace!!
Sara