I do love this blog, I do. I just constantly forget about it. Either I start to type and one of the loveable dumb Golden Retrievers jumps up on my bed, or I get really into a Wire episode (which everyone should watch for its brilliance, but especially if you are from MD or know Baltimore...the local references are off the hook), or I'm out shopping. The theme of this week would be called: Neurotic Shoptime. Almost every day, I'm in and out of stores, or talking to the folks over at Backcountry. It's like this sickness, and the only cure is more shopping. I've been to Marshalls, to Forever 21, to REI. And I'm not a girl who loves shopping- the bright lights, unflattering dressing rooms, and long lines all make me cringe. But being as prepared as possible is all I care about at this point. I'm terrified I'll forget something important, like wool socks, and then me and my size 10 feet will have to wait months until they can be sent to me. So, my mind is constantly thinking about things like capris, Chacos, and hiking backpacks. Today I thrust myself away to help lay mulch with my mom and Del. The cool evening rain and the smell of the chicory grain, the dogs rolling around in the grass reminded me that there is beauty and ease everywhere, and that this shopping odyssey will be over soon.
Twelve. Days. Left. And there are only 12 minutes left in today, meaning that tomorrow, there will be 11 days left. It's crazy. I've been running around, trying to soak up as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time, to absorb as much of them as possible before I leave. I want to be as relaxed and focused on them as possible in this next week and a half, and not focused on packing, packing, packing. My goal is to be done with all the packing by Tuesday, and then chill out for a week.
Good news on the address front! I have an official address for the first three months of my training. It is...
PCT (short for Peace Corps Trainee) + My name
Cuerpo de Paz
Casilla 17-08-8624
Quito, Ecuador
South America
Mail takes 7-10 days to get there, so if you write something by Saturday and send it, it will get there by June 1st! I've largely abandoned snail mail in favor of the quickness of email, but I'm getting swept up in the romance of mailing and receiving letters. Also, you can only send padded envelopes, not boxes. So no wonderful American foodstuffs for the first few months. BUT, letters would be greeted with the utmost delight.
In other news, I just downloaded Bob Dylan's second record, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." Listening to this album is like having a spiritual revelation. You simply can't be stressed or distracted when good ole Bobby plays the harmonica and sings his poetry. People jone on him voice, but I think his 60s-voice, while not beautiful, is the most important thing in the world: utterly true.
From "Girl of the North Country":
"If you're traveling to the north country fair
Where the breeze hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to the one who lives there
She was once a true love of mine."
until next time,
A
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