All those frequently asked questions

Hello all

I decided I should post to answer all of the questions that I always get, so here goes...

Where are you going?
I am going to Jordan. My training (first three months) will be spent in a town outside of Amman, where I will learn the language (Arabic) and technical skills needed for my job. Sometime in the middle of those first three months I will learn my permanent, two year site.

When are you leaving?
I will fly to Washington DC on July 6th for two days of in country training. From there, my group of 39 (we are the 10th group to go to Jordan, so J10) will fly to Amman, Jordan. We will have a few days as a whole group in a hotel in the capital, and then we will get split up into groups of 5 or 6 and sent to smaller towns for language training.

Will you have email access?
It sounds like most volunteers in Jordan have pretty regular internet access, and some even have it in their own homes. Almost all volunteers also have cell phones (this isn't the Peace Corps of the good old days for sure). I will also most likely have electricity and running water, although possibly a "squatter" toilet.

Do you have to cover your head?
From the sounds of it, I won't need to cover my head. Peace Corps reccomends very conservative dress (long pants/skirts-covering the ankle, shirts covering the wrists and "thigh-length"). However, in the pictures of current volunteers, I have seen people wearing jeans in tourist areas. So short answer, I won't have to cover my head, and I'll find out when I get there how conservative I need to be. The good news is that long flowy skirts and tunic shirts are super popular and easy to find right now!

Can I come visit?
Ok, so most people aren't asking this, but the answer is yes! If you have ever wanted to see the pyramids in Egypt, or Israel, or anywhere in the middle east, please come and see me! I know my parents are planning on coming at some point, and Cuttino will too, so be cool like them!

What will you be doing?
I know that I will be working with physically and cognitively impaired youth, but as to the setting, I have no idea. Apparently the Peace Corps is really good at matching people up based on their strengths and the needs of the communities. This match won't be made until part way through training. I am hoping to either teach in a classroom, or help set up early intervention programs, and do home visits.

I think that is all for now on the questions. On the packing front, I discovered that Gap and Old Navy both had long flowy tunic shirts that were thigh length. Luckily I had a gift card for Gap, and the tunic at Old Navy was on sale. So I think I am set on shirts now. I still need to get some long underwear (apparently it gets cold in the winters). I am also thinking about buying a tent. Apparently there is some really good camping, and places only accessible if you camp. I'm hoping to pick up a nice one for cheap at the REI garage sale in late June.

If you have any more questions for me, send them my way, I would be glad to answer them!

Jessica

Getting closer...

Well, there are less than 50 days left until I leave (42), which at the same time seems like forever, and like it is tomorrow.

I received a new CD in the mail from Peace Corps, and while the layout is awful (there is a big image over the links so you can't read but the first two letters), the content is exciting. There are some pictures, some more Arabic to practice (I'm up to about 8 seconds of conversation now!), and the goals of each of the three programs (teaching english, special ed, and youth and family development). I also found out that my staging is in Washington DC, and that there will be 39 members of my J10 group.

I'm all set to enjoy my last relaxing weekend. Next Wednesday I will be driving down to North Carolina to visit Cuttino, and then the summer will really take off, with all of my other trips and excursions.

Speaking of Cuttino, big thanks to him for helping me so much with this blog. Most of the design elements that you see are from him, because apparently when he says he is "working" he really means that he is spending many many hours playing around with HTML code to make his blog look cool. The link to his site is on the sidebar if you want to see what has been keeping him busy these days.

I'm still working on my packing, and when I get a complete list, I'll post it.

Two years is a long time

I think I had my first freak-out about the Peace Corps experience last night. Watching a terrible movie at the dollar theater, I started thinking about how many bad movies will come out while I am gone, which made me think about how long two years really is. So for a few minutes I started freaking out, but then talked myself down, and I am fine again.

As for packing, I now have all of my belongings from school in a huge pile on the floor in my room. It is freeing to look at my stuff and say "Won't need that for two years" and then throw it away. However, there is still a huge pile of stuff that I want to keep (mostly teaching supplies for when I return). I still have no idea what I am going to pack for two years, or how I am going to fit it into two bags with less than 100 pounds.

Here is the official packing list from the Peace Corps. I'll post what I actually bring some day in the future, when I figure out what I am going to bring. This list seems excessively long...I will probably cut down on the clothing, and add more miscellaneous items.

Both men and women
• A warm coat, as well as a lightweight, waterproof jacket
• At least two heavy wool sweaters so that you have one
to wear while the other is in the wash or drying
• Silk or cotton thermal underwear—they pack tightly
and are quick drying. They can also double as sleeping
outfits during the winter
• Scarves for warmth
• Turtlenecks
• Jeans; a pair or two
• Wool socks
• A bathing suit (Women should bring shorts and T-shirt
to wear over their suit)
• Summer hats
• Knitted hat, gloves or mittens
• Loosely tailored pants or khakis and lined pants for
winter
• One dressier outfit (for women, either pants or long
skirt)

Suggestions for Women
Covering up is important and may feel strange at first, but
neatness and appropriate dress will enhance your credibility
and smooth your integration. All clothing must be loose fitting
for comfort and modesty, but still look neat.
• Shirts/blouses: Any top worn on the outside needs to
be thigh-length (in other words, covering your behind),
loose (masking your shape); and long sleeved. Layers
can extend your wardrobe and keep you warmer in
winter. Collars or high necklines are important; do not
bring anything sheer or opaque (really check yourself in
the mirror)
• Dresses/skirts: must be long enough to cover the ankle;
side slits must be sewn up
• Pants: loose and long enough to cover the ankle
• Short-sleeved or tank tops only to wear under longsleeved
tops
• Lightweight, long-sleeved jackets for wearing over
short-sleeved shirts
• A few pairs of black slacks
• A long cotton slip
• Tights (hard to find here), dress socks, and knee-high
stockings (preferably black)

Shoes
• Comfortable, nice dress shoes for work (black is best;
avoid suede shoes due to dust and scuffing)
• Sturdy sandals
• Hiking boots
• All-purpose shoes (something to walk, run, bike, or hike
in)
• Flip-flops or slipper sandals for use in the bathroom
(can be purchased cheaply in Jordan)

Miscellaneous
• A lightweight towel and washcloth (travel towel is
good)
• Decorations for your house (pictures, maps, etc.)
• At least 12 passport-size photos (inexpensive kind
available in portable photo booths are adequate). You
will need them for your Peace Corps identification,
obtaining visas to other countries, medical charts, and
the Jordanian residence permit
• Good-quality backpack for travel, as well as a smaller
daypack
• Baseball, football, Frisbee, hackeysack, or travel games
such as Uno
• Camera
• Sewing items (iron-on mending tape, straight and safety
pins, etc.)
• Rechargeable batteries and recharger (with power
converter)
• Pocket calculator (preferably solar-powered)
• Small, battery-powered alarm clock or wristwatch
• Duct tape (can be bought in Amman, but costly)
• Stationery
• Compact sleeping bag
• A few good books, which can be traded at or donated to
the Volunteer book exchange
• Family photographs
• U.S. stamps (for sending mail via anyone traveling to
U.S.)
• Swiss Army, Leatherman, or an equivalent multipurpose
knife
• Favorite stove-top recipes and cookbook
• Journal, diary, or schedule book
• Jump rope or any small and light exercise equipment
• Small, retractable tape measure
• Items such as scotch tape, scissors, crayons, and
markers for teachers (you can buy lower quality here)
• Polarized sunglasses
• Travel guides
• Measuring cups, spoons, etc.
• One or two sets of double-sized bed sheets and pillow
cases
• Pocket-size dictionary and thesaurus
• Maps (good for wall hangings and traveling)
• Money belt or other means of concealing passport and
valuables when traveling
• Favorite music CDs or tapes

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
A wide range of imported items (L’Oreal, Neutrogena, Nivea,
Colgate, Tampax, Always, etc.) are widely available, but they
are expensive relative to your Volunteer living allowance.
Contact lens solution is also available, but expensive. Tampons
are available, but very expensive. If you plan to use them, it is
not a bad idea to bring a good supply.
• Scissors or other hair-cutting device.
• Three-month supply of any prescription medications

Electronics
• Radio with shortwave and medium-wave
• Laptop computer. Bring one at your own risk. Power
surges are common, so bring a good surge protector.
• Discman with speakers.



Seems like a pretty complete list, and at least it is a really good starting point. I'm off to continue cleaning/unpacking/purging my room.

Packing up and moving out

Hello and welcome to my new blog! I hope to use this to keep my family and friends updated on my life while serving in Jordan as a special education volunteer with Peace Corps.

I graduated on Sunday (May 14) from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Early Childhood Education, and I am currently avoiding packing up my car and heading back home to Michigan.

My schedule for the rest of my time in the states:

Today (May 16): Pack up and drive to Elkin, to stay with Cuttino for the night
May 17: Drive the ten hours home to Michigan
May 18-May 30: Work as a substitute teacher at home in Rochester
May 31: Drive to NC for the NC Synod Assembly
June 1-7: Hang out with Cuttino and say goodbye
June 8: Head to Chapel Hill to visit Stacy, Corinne, Lydia
June 8: Kindergarten graduation!
June 9-11: Family Reunion in West Virginia
June 13: Cutt leaves for Georgia
June 12-14: Babysit
June 15-19: Visit Mimi in New Hampshire
June 20-29: Babysit and volunteer at SCAMP
June 24: Going away party at my house
June 30-July 2: Uncle Bob's lake house to say goodbye to the cousins

July 6: LEAVE FOR STAGING!!!!

I had hoped to fit in a road trip with my friends from high school, but it is looking like that isn't going to work.

Eventually I will post my packing list on here, and try and figure out how to pack for two years, and where to buy "thigh-length" shirts....

Until then,
Jessica