4 hour layovers suck but I have a 15.5 hour flight in a month...yay.

Okay, so I wrote this a few days ago while on the plane to Hawai'i to pass the time:

Alright, well, it's been super hectic these past few days. I'm actually on a plane right now to Hawai'i! time to visit my mom before my big trip. It's been crazy hectic because I had to pack for this trip but I also wanted to get everything packed for Peace Corps. Ran into a couple snags of not being able to get some stuff but I'm going to order it online while in Hawai'i so it'll be delivered by the time I get back (I hope).

One thing I have noticed is that most people know someone that has served in the Peace Corps. It's crazy how big the network is (and now I'll be the guy that all of you know! Or another one if you're so special). I've met very few people that haven't had a positive reaction to it. There was a lady at the airport today that said: "Oh, if that's what you're in to" but did not seem at all enthusiastic about it. I understand it's not for everyone one but I'm still trying to figure out why others would possibly look down upon service in the Peace Corps (if there's anything that you find wrong about the service I'd love to hear your thoughts!). I've been told that, "It's a waste of two years doing nothing" to which I find absurd. If helping a nation that doesn't have the means to help itself is nothing, if helping my fellow man, in extreme poverty, make a better life for himself, then I hope I accomplish absolutely nothing in my life time. Okay, maybe a little bit of selfishness but really I don't understand this. I DO understand how some could worry about a person during his or her time in the Peace Corps and not wanting them to do it for their safety. We all worry about stuff but really it's just one of those things that you just need to let go and try to subdue the parentalism.

People say, "You could have a nice career and donate" but really if we all wrote checks, where would that get us? We would just have a stack of paper (that is worthless) sitting around. Pardon the hyperbole but I do think Kant was onto something with his categorical imperative. Thinking of the other pole, what if everyone donated two years of service to those in need. Arguement aside, it doesn't even need to be the extreme, think of a tenth and what impact that would have. And not just Peace Corps, if you feel that you want to keep it more "in house" there's Americorps and numerous other programs. I know these programs need funding, and like I said it's not for everyone, but really our time is one of the most precious gifts we can give. It's just something that I wonder "what if" now and then.

I was speaking to a lady on my first flight and we talked about how lazy people are. Is it really that hard to pick up a piece of trash that missed the trash can? Let alone your own trash after certain activities? Maybe push in a chair when you see it out somewhere. I do the last one a lot, not that I go out of my way trying to make sure every chair is pushed in to a table but if there's a few in my path sticking out why not? Takes maybe 5 seconds and it'll make it easier for others to walk by.

Okay, sorry for the rant, there's a lot of frustration that I've been needing to get out about a few things. But there are a few things that I've tried to live by, or at least keep in mind as the days go by, in the spirit of this (the previously mentioned lady helped with a couple of these):

1) You learn something new everyday.
- Whether you beleive it or not, you do. Think about how bombarded with information we are every day. We may not remember it all but humans are meant to learn, that's why we survive so well (hasn't Hollywood taught you anything?). I feel I've developed a greater appreciation for learning and what I know because of this. I may not have always been the best student but I gave my teachers respect (in my own way) a vast majority of the time, at least starting somewhere around middle school.

2) Try to do just 1 good deed each day.
- Really, just one. Even the small stuff like I said before pushing in chairs or picking up a piece of trash. I feel I have become a much better person since I started doing this. On the bus? Maybe give up your seat for someone who could use it more, like an elder or someone with a lot of impedimentia (dictionary.com word of the day! Bam!). Have leftovers? Maybe hand them off to a homeless person that you see on a street corner. Perhaps go big and clean out a closet or two and donate some clothes, anonymously. I do like that the government has the tax write off but I feel sometimes that people do it for alternative reasons other than just a pure donation. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to belittle those that do. The write off is the government's way of helping out charities and I think it's great. I just feel a lot of people probably wouldn't donate if it wasn't implemented and that makes me sad. Regardless, donating is awesome and do it anonymously or conspicuously, whatever is your preference.

3) Try to end the day with one thing you are genuinely thankful for.
- I feel this has a lot of positive benefits in a person's life. You develop a better outlook and become a more plesant person. Misery likes company, and so does joy. Happy people just gravitate towards other happy people, no one likes a Debbie Downer. Happy people are healthier and live longer. Who knows, maybe you want to be miserable and live a short life but that's so bleek and I hope you change your mind if you do (maybe you should give peace corps a shot, I hear it's "quite the experience"). And of course, all of this is based off a "significantly large" sample size randomly selected from the population of....me.

4) Just going off that last one, if you truly can't think of something your thankful for end the day with a positive thought. Heck, start it with one too.
- If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, go back to bed, or at least stay away from me. I seriously do this though. If I wake up and feel even mildly in an ill mood, I'll hit the sack for another 15 min or so and try to wake up with a fresh start. I even do this after weird or unplesant dreams. If you don't have the time to spare, just make sure someitme in the morning you stop and have that positive thought. People get so caught up in the rush of things that they consistently fail to appreciate life (myself included). I may get made fun of for walking slow (I swear I've upped my tempo) but take time to look around while you're out. Leave 5 minutes early so you aren't rushed and just look around. It is amazing sometimes the things that you notice. Kind of reminds me of that car insurance commercial where a lady stops a guy from walking into the street and it starts a chain reaction. Maybe that's just fiction but I truly believe it happens.

Anyway, sorry for the rant again. I know Peace Corps isn't for everyone but anytime someone is trying to do good, why would you try and disrupt that? Let them have their innocence, I've met too many people that are bitter from losing it. Just like a huge pet peeve I have, asking someone after an accident, "Why would you do that?!" Think before you ask that. Do you really think that person wanted to drive out and get sideswiped by a car? Or pick up a plate full of food they just bought and drop it? Or have their furniture packed in the bed of a truck fly off on the highway and shatter everywhere?

Just think about it. Before you let your emotions get a hold of you, think of what position the other person is in. This can go a long ways in many regards. Remember, we're all stuck on this rock together, let's make it the best ride we can.

I think we're finally landing soon! God Bless (if that's your thing) and Happy Early Hump Day! Mocha Freeze here I come!!! David Tate, you know you want one.

Garage Sales are incredibly boring

Well, since I forgot my books to read during my garage sale I figured I would finally put up my first post! This mostly means figure out how to actually make a post, hopefully throw in some pictures, and then add in all the bells and whistles. But yeah, garage sales are incredibly boring and I really hope all of this stuff sells because 1) less things I have to take care of when I move away and 2) a little extra money before I go live my "modest" life in the Peace Corps ("modest" and "adequate" I have found are two of the most common words in the volunteer handbook).

SO I received my invitation packet last Thursday. I know I was delayed in letting a few of you know (and I'm sure there are those that still don't know...to you, sorry). It is about 1 cm thick. It contains: 6 folders with forms in each that I need to fill out, 3 small handbooks, 2 sizable handbooks (okay, 1 was a .pdf file I downloaded) and my invitation letter! The letter has already been packed away with my diplomas and such and I'll probably frame it when I actually get the space to do so.

As I get ready to leave there are a lot of things, mostly compiling lists, that I'm trying to do before I leave. Surprised? And if you can help with any of these please do so! For example, I started a list for cities, parks or other attractions to visit (including surrounding areas for my "vacation time"). So for anyone that has been there I would love some tips! Some of the other lists are of the same depth (themes for pictures, interesting things to look into about the culture, etc.) but others are a bit more meaningful. Such as I'm trying to compile a list of community involvement projects and activities that I can do while I am there. While most of my time will be spent teaching Peace Corps volunteers are expected to be engaged outside of their "official service" in the community as well. I want to make sure that when I am placed in my community I am already doing my part as a member of it to foster growth. I thought with all the stuff I've been involved in I'd have a huge list in 10 min, sadly it's still pretty small. So if you hear of anything, really anything, dealing with community involvement let me know so I can add it to the list (or some modification of it).

I've also just been thinking of what I can write about in a blog; I would hate to be stuck with free time to write without anything to think of. So I've jotted down a few things like how teaching is going, sights, food, family or even things more pertinent to my service such as how I'm living up to the Core Expectations of a Peace Corps volunteer or fulfilling the 3 mission statements of the Peace Corps. Details are given in the handbook about a lot of this (and yes I highlighted them and took notes while reading) but I want to know what the people closest to me think would be effective and what they would like to see.

Oh yay! Someone called and said they're coming to stop by and check out the sale. Time to go look like I'm productive. I'll probably try and make another post later today in my large amount of boredom or at the latest probably tomorrow.