When Am I Coming Home?

For the last 18 months, Albania has been my home. Peaceful hills, my backyard. Rural villages, my neighbors.

Peace Corps service is a 27 month total commitment. 3 months of service training and 2 years of service as a volunteer. I began my service in March 2014 (approx. 18 months ago), thus I have roughly 9 months left here in Albania. At the completion of service (COS) you go back to your home of record and officially become an RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer). Volunteers leave on different dates to return back to their homes of record (based on Volunteer preference, current projects, and PC staff recommendations). RPCVs receive a modest stipend to help readjust back to life in the US.

Late COS/Extension
If I have pending projects and really want to stay and continue, I can extend my COS (Close of Service) date up to 12 additional months with approval. I can also extend even longer with a formal request for service extension for 25 months or more past original COS date! Typically this is for volunteers who have large-scale projects that require them to stay.

Early COS
Alternatively, Volunteers can end their service early at least 21 months after they take the Oath. (see US PC Service Manual Section 2.0) For example, I took my oath on May 13, 2014, thus my earliest COS date would be February 13, 2016. This is usually contingent upon completion of all projects and approval of host agency and PC staff.

As it stands, I have yet to decide exactly what to do after my service. I have plans A, B, C, D & E. It is tempting, yet seems a bit silly to plan something 9-ish months away. I do know this much: One of my younger brothers is getting married around June, 2016, so I am definitely planning to be back for that! I also hope to be here for the next fabulous Kampi Pa Emer which will be mid-June. That means an estimated date in mid/late June for COS. I would like to travel a bit in the area before I head back to the US (it is Europe after all), not sure how that would work but there's plenty of time to plan. Speaking of planning... Here are my plans (plural)

Plan A - Return to the US and go to Nursing School for my NP license.
Plan B - Extend service in Albania to work on a specific initiative with a local NGO
Plan C - Find a job with Peace Corps (possibly in Washington, DC)
Plan D - Find a job with a foreign service agency - USAID, United Nations, etc.
Plan E - Re-up for Peace Corps service in another country - Kosovo? (One of the few places where I might be able to use my Shqip (Albanian Language) skills.

Plan F - Who knows??? Any suggestions please them write below! :-P

What I Discovered About Fitness In Peace Corps... ("Wait, Weight, Don't Tell Me!")

Staying fit in Peace Corps can at times be interesting (read: a challenge). I didn't know what to expect in regards to exercise, and I am still learning. It has been a hard road long before Peace Corps. Here’s why:

My gym days in 'Merica :-P

I wasn't the fittest kid growing up, in fact I was what you would call chubby. I didn't know anything about sports, exercise, or nutrition. I had a basic understanding of group sports and calisthenics from middle school and high school PE class, but nothing that would really motivate me to continue. Throughout my 20's, I learned little by little about all these things. Since I didn't play organized sports as a kid, I never learned the basics and had to learn all the do's and don'ts on my own. I suppose that my journey into fitness started during my Senior year of High School. I had been wanting to play football since Junior year, but after several discussions with the football coach, I soon realized that I should have started looooong ago. Of course, this may not be news to most people - but I was not aware, and thus had too late a start. I was kinda screwed straight from the gate. Although football was out of the question, he did suggest that I sign up for his weight training class; and that I did. At the age of 18, I began lifting weights. Though this commitment, I discovered a new passion.

Cut to me 14 years later, joining the Peace Corps. I knew things would be different. I had lots of questions: Will there be any fitness centers or gyms where I’m going? Will I be able to run outside safely? Will I lose my motivation?  How would I adapt?

Well, there is a gym in my town. Although the folks there are very friendly and try to maintain the equipment, it is more often than not in varying stages of disrepair, unfortunately. Better than nothing, right? I'm sure there are Peace Corps places where there isn't a gym for hours away, so I am so grateful. I have been working out there for the last 7 months or so. I am grateful that it exists, but must admit that it isn’t all roses. With very young kids running around, playing with the weights and equipment, (sometimes nearly injuring themselves!) I find it hard to maintain my desire to keep going back. It's hard to be around. I’ve even come in when a guy was smoking a cigarette while doing bicep curls! It’s the contrast you see here so frequently. I could go on, but I like to focus on solutions rather than problems. It's not my place to judge. But since it has been the only gym in town, I found myself going back. Adapt right?

My community gym

Running by the village of Togëz

Having been recently motivated by lack of money to actually afford the gym (more on volunteer "wages" later), I have taken to a habit I usually avoid – running outdoors (especially when it is cold). I’m a gym rat through and through (or gym bunny, which I guess sounds cuter LOL). But okaaaay. Whatev. I found out a few things: 1. It’s not so bad, if you don’t mind a little cold and a lot of onlookers along the way (the villagers don’t see jogging Americans coming through very often. hehe 2. I get to say hello to pretty much all the shop-owners along the way. 3. People get to see “the American” running – who knows? Maybe one day they will join me. :-)
 
My friend Arbi and I have written an outline plan to build a little mini-gym right here at the house. Sweet! Sure it will be basic, but we can make it work. A bench, some cement bricks for box jumps, a bar for pull-ups, parallel bars for dips, a set of free-weight dumbbells and barbells, and a couple gym mats – done! Oh, and of course, a clock. What I discovered about life in Peace Corps is that there are #NoExcuses for missing a workout.

Me and my buddy Arbi after a killer workout

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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