Peace Corps Class of 2009

This week has been a whirlwind of final sessions, paperwork, and survival skills. We've been here for two months and in that time we've become lifetime friends. We're a special group of volunteers...only one has left. When we come back to the office you can feel the love and excitement. Two months ago we were all strangers...with our new clothes, ideas, and hopes. Now I feel like there isn't one person in the group I couldn't go to or that doesn't bring something to the table. Roger said it best, we are all very different but our core beliefs are so closely aligned that it has caused us to become this force...this instant family. Kristen also had a good point about reflecting on our impact...we're not one drop in the bucket anymore... we're a united force of 40, a whole bucket of drops! We can create real change. I love this group...

Greg in his new shirt! Learning how to use a machete and hook up a gas tank/ light a gas oven!

We went on Monday to visit with them and it was such a happy reunion. Alberta had a sweater and long pants on (we have had a bit of a cold snap...low 60s). We shared stories and caught up. They fed us our favorite dinner, tortillas, eggs and pear with ginger tea! I missed them so much! We played a family card game and then we had to leave.

Bryan missed Greg!

Swearing in:

We officially swore in as Peace Corps Volunteers at the Governor General of Belize's under a tent. We were all dressed up...we even dried our hair (all sharing Taylor's since she brought one). Many of us wore makeup for the first time in two months, and I must say...we all cleaned up quite well. This event had the air of a wedding. Big huge tents, white chairs, good smelling people and a LOT of pictures. The new American Ambassador for Belize gave a wonderful speech and then administered the official oath to us. Four of the volunteers gave speeches; three language vote of thanks and then the final speech by Roger. Greg gave the Ketchi speech...there were many Maya families that were nodding along with the speech! There was also a Spanish and Kriol speech, but the funniest had to be the Kriol. Peter did an amazing job and really wowed all of us! Everyone was laughing at his sweet Kriol jokes! Fransico, our host dad came too! No one else from our family could come because it was during the day on a weekday.

All 40 of us!

With the Country Director...we'll miss him

After swearing in we had a first year vs. second year football game (soccer). The second years were pretty intimidating, what with their real uniforms... and one guy Zander who was so assimilated he played without shoes! Anway, we put up a good fight but lost 5 to 1. It was a lot of fun and has inspired me to start playing with the kids in my village. Football is pretty hard, and is a whole bunch of running. I already had shin splints due to my pathetically short and slow jog with Cali and Amy. I am so out of shape, can't wait to get our own bikes!

Everyone went back and showered for the second time (some even got hot or luke warm water!) and redressed in our outfits to go to the Ambasators house! He invited us for dinner and welcomed us into his beautiful home. His son is in the process of joining the Peace Corps so he is very supportive of us. It was delightful how he and his wife circulated and talked to everyone it seemed. We gave a going away present to our Country Director who is leaving to work for Washington next month:( Superlatives were given out and we watched a slide show of our first two months. Before we actually got off the bus to go through security we had a little briefing...we were reminded to behave, told to stay downstairs, and then the greatest part. That if we break a plate or anything that they all have to be inventoried and we CAN NOT hide or just clean it up. They are state plates. And they were fancy. Everything had the US Government seal on it.

With the American Ambassador to Belize!

Best Blogger, Best Storyteller, and Most Likely to Make a Peace Corps Baby!

Today we disburse all over the country to our respective sites. We will be able to see everyone again in a month but until then it is time for some real work...as VOLUNTEERS!