In two days, I leave for Azerbaijan. I will be a Youth Development volunteer. For the first three months, I will be staying near Sumqayit (or Sumgayit), on the Absheron Peninsula, which is also home to the nation's capital, Baku.
The last few months of waiting to hear if I was accepted and where I would be going were difficult, but nothing compared to the last few weeks. This is not to say the last couple weeks have not been wonderful at the same time. I have had the wonderful opportunity to see friends, family, and loved ones and spend time with them. There just isn't enough time, and yet, there seems like there's been too much time. I know that once I'm on the plane, it will be easier to let myself be caught up in the excitement of the new adventure I'm embarking on.
Now is the time to start looking forward. My bags are just about packed. I've picked out a last dinner. Now is the time to stop thinking about lasts and start thinking about the firsts that are coming soon.
More important, I know that many of the perceived lasts are not really lasts, but actually, "last until's," that is, last, until I see someone or do something or be somewhere again. This will not be my last bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats, let me tell you.
This blog is for my friends and family to read and hopefully stay in touch with me. It is also for prospective Peace Corps volunteers. I avidly read the blogs of volunteers once I found out I was going to Azerbaijan, so I want this to be a resource for anyone who wants to use it.
Some of it will be more thoughtful reflections, some will be basic recaps of day to day life. There will be pictures. I hope you enjoy it.
