TOP 5(ish) PACKING ITEMS FOR PEACE CORPS

Ok, so there is a weight limit on baggage. Did you know that? Well I didn't until I arrived at the airport. That being said, I definitely knew that the amount of stuff I could bring to Albania would be limited to how much I could physically transport all at once. After all, I have to get it there by myself first, right?? That being said, I had to decide on what to bring and what to leave behind. Here is a list of 5(ish) things (okay 6) that I am glad made the cut. :-)

5. INDEX CARDS– Yes, basic index cards. For the life of me, I cannot seem to find ANY in Albania. I’m kinda old-school when it comes to studying language, and really like to have actual paper flash-cards made to learn new vocab. I’m trying to go digital and switch to Anki, but I am so glad I had these ready when I arrived in country. 

4. RECHARGEABLE MINI-SPEAKER - $14 from Target – This little popup device comes in handy quite often. Having a slow day in the classroom? Why not start a circle dance? (heck, it’s Albania, you should ALWAYS find a way to incorporate circle dancing into your lesson plans!)  lol. What’s even cooler is that you can link these up to increase the volume, and if you twist them, they have a neat little “bass” function. Rechargeable through any USB port!

3. TOYS, TOYS, TOYS! – So back home I had a drawer, and in this drawer I had, well, a bunch of STUFF – knick-knacks, key-chains, thingy’s from conferences (you know, like pens, notepads, chotchkies), wristbands, and other souvenirs that would have never make their way out of said drawer. Well, why let these trinkets die a quiet death? Your baubles can bring a little joy to a kid out here in Albania. It may be an additional burden to carry, but well worth it once you see them smile. :-D (oh, and after returning home, we’ll have less “stuff” to unpack! Hehe (aww yeah!)

Me with a Halloween mask re-purposed for the "Penguin Dance"

2. RECHARGEABLE USB BATTERY - $20 from Radio Shack, this little sucker comes in handy during every long furgon ride. Works with any USB device and can be re-charged through a laptop or any other USB port. Love this thing!

1b. SNOW BOOTS – As a San Francisco native, I’m not used to actual “Seasons.” I am so glad to have these to protect my uber-sensitive California feet. I got my LOWA’s at REI on clearance for around $80. Thanks you Elliott and Sid your help in picking these out! 

 

1a. SLEEPING PAD - Thermarest "Scout" - A gift from my folks (thank you folks!), this has been so handy as most of the buildings in Albania are straight up concrete. When the time comes to crash on someone's floor, you will certainly be glad to have one of these. Oh, it's also great for yoga, meditation or stretching! Another MUST BRING. :-)

TOP TEN Discoveries as a Peace Corps Volunteer

Very, very important discoveries I’ve made as a Peace Corps Volunteer:

Today is "blocky veggie day"

1. Chopping veggies in different ways makes it seem like I’m actually eating something different every day…Look it up! It's like scientific and stuff.
2. My Shqip (Albanian) seems to be getting better but my English seems to be getting worse-r. :-P
3. Little acts of kindness among volunteers go a long way. :-)
4. When in doubt, laugh… and laugh LOUDLY! Sure people may think “oh great, the American has gone crazy” but that’s okay, crazy and happy beats grumpy and sane any day.  (at least that's what the voices in my head say...)
5. Peanuts are good - so very good. Nom nom nom nom…
6. Entertaining visitors is fun! – be they Ex-Pats, other Peace Corps Volunteers, family, friends, or travelers passing through. I’m like “Don’t leaaaaave!” (*tear*)
7. Using Facebook is like handling a double-edged sword. Motivation is great, but it can get lonely living abroad. Comparing one’s self to the best of others is dangerous (especially when you are not feeling your best.) Moderation is key. Having said that, it is also very important to support and cheer others on. (see item #3)

   

   Hedwig and Albania, together at last!

8. Sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back. Right? A lot of Peace Corps work goes on behind the scenes, and may not be acknowledged. With all that goes on, sometimes you have to be your own cheerleader! You don’t necessarily need an outfit, although it might help! :-D Mine would have epaulettes. hehehe
9. Although I joined Peace Corps expecting to get away from technology, internet, constant email, and smartphones, I have found myself in a country with ample wifi and smartphones galore. Lol I am grateful though, as these luxuries allow me to stay in contact with loved ones, share my experience with people back home, and access information to better serve in my community. Thus I can’t complain. Well, I could, but I won’t… too often. :-P
10. Every long bus ride is more fun with a musical accompaniment. My current favorites are: Hedwig & the Angry Inch, Chess, and Mamma Mia. It makes the sporadic vomiting, "interesting" smells and general overcrowdedness seem downright comical!

    

    Me doing a "I want a puppy" face... either that or I'm just bloated.

    
    

Mirupafshim,

-Jon

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ABBA Nearly Kicked My...!

Lately I have been reflecting on my experience of moving away from my home in the USA. The reality of Peace Corps hasn’t really sunk in yet. I am living, working and building a life out here – one with friends, family, new passions and self-discovery. I'm even starting to forget where I was a year ago (anxiously awaiting my departure to the ‘MYSTERIOUS LAND OF ALBANIA…’ (cue dramatic music)

Ok, so here’s a little situation that happened to me fairly recently to illustrate where I’m at these days.

Hay, boy, hay... :-P

I was working out at the small local gym we have here in Librazhd, running on the humble, overly-loved treadmill next to my buddy Arbi. I was listening to the Mamma Mia musical soundtrack by ABBA on my trusty iPod Shuffle and getting into the ‘groove’ (do people still use that word?) Anyway… The story of Mamma Mia tells (or sings rather) of a mother and daughter living in Greece, after having been shunned by the mother’s family many years before. Nobody knows who the father is. The daughter is about to get married, and wants her father there to give her away. This poses a problem as her father could be one of three different men referenced in her mom’s diary. Hilarity ensues, yadda yadda, dot dot dot. So I was listening to this, and thinking to myself ‘how strange would it be to live abroad, in Greece or somewhere far away?’ As I was laughing to myself, thinking of this strange scenario, I looked over to see my Albanian buddy Arbi running, and looked down at my treadmill (which is properly tracking kilometers, not miles), and it hit me like a flying spinach byrek – ‘Holy sh*t!’  I nearly feel off the tiny running machine and caught myself just in time to ‘save face’ (hopefully), and quickly reminded myself that everything was ok. For in that brief moment I had forgotten that I was living in Albania and that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer! Oh ABBA, you and your hypnotic powers strike again…

Oh Amerikan! Si je ti cuna?

What I learned from this delightful experience was that I am finding a good life for myself out here. I am not just in Peace Corps, I am living my life here in Albania. Although a shock at first, these little moments of surprise really illustrate where I am mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My heart makes no distinctions, no judgments when it is happy. It is simply happy. I am happy with my friends, my daily life, my work, and my inner self. I happen to live in Albania, a place I am getting to know and love more day after day.

That being said, I hope that my forgetfulness is not actually a sign of losing cognitive functioning due to stress. Rest assured that if I were going insane, I would still blog about it and invite comments. You know I love you all, and my friends are definitely the funniest people I know.

xoxo

-Jon :-)