In 12 hours, I will be descending upon San Francisco to meet the other members of my volunteer group. It still doesn't feel real. It feels like the first few days of summer vacation always did, when it hasn't really hit you yet that you don't have to get up and go to school tomorrow. I imagine it'll feel real when I step off the plane in Bangkok and it's 90 degrees. Or maybe I'll just be the amazing stud I've always assumed I was and continue to be completely unfazed by this all. Though I kinda doubt that.
Handle it, son!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Trees, packing and meat!
Well! I still haven't left the country, but that's coming up soon enough.
In December, our landlord offered to pro-rate our rent for the month of January if we moved out around the middle of the month, which worked well for me as I'd been planning on heading to Portland around then anyway. As the new year approached, however, the subject was still under discussion as my roommates tried to straighten out their plans. Then, on New Years day, the universe made a decision for us. That is, a thirty-six inch ponderosa pine (that's diameter, not height) was blown down by hurricane-force wind gusts. It fell from the neighbors yard onto our roof, knocked almost all of the sheetrock from the walls and ceiling of the room under it, cracked joists and rafters, punched several large holes in the roof and managed to shake the foundation, skewing the front and back doors so they didn't close properly, as well as jarring several other doorways throughout the house. Not content to simply lean against the house, the top twenty feet or so snapped off, falling onto the house of the neighbors on the OTHER side. It was a pretty intense experience for me while I was making some lunch downstairs, and I can only imagine what that was like for Danielle, who was upstairs in her room at the time. Here are some pictures.
I should probably mention that no one was hurt, none of our possessions were damaged, and we'd all been planning on moving out by the end of the month ANYway, so it could have been a whole lot worse. I started working on a narrative of the whole event (it seemed like it'd make a good story), but things got a bit hectic and I didn't get very far. I'd like to take another shot at it once I'm settled in Thailand (which may be a while), and if it ends up being any good, maybe I'll post a copy.
So, instead of hanging around the house for a few more weeks, we decided it would be prudent to move on out ASAP and spent the next several days in a flurry of activity packing and clearing out. Since I really wasn't ready to leave Bend yet, I had to figure out what to do. I probably could have crashed with my brother at his new place, but I don't think there would have been space for all of my stuff, too, and I felt like he really should have an opportunity to settle into his new space without me all up in it. Fortunately, some friends up the street had space for me (and an empty garage for my boxes and boxes), so I headed over there. In any case, who'd rather live in close quarters with a sibling instead of two pretty girls and a cute puppy? I spent the next week and a half trying to tie up loose ends in Bend, playing in the snow, and working hard not to wear out my welcome as a houseguest. Eventually Aaron found time in his work schedule, I reserved a U-Haul, said goodbye, and headed north to Portland.
Now I'm REALLY in the final stages, trying to think of things I still need, eating a little meat every now and then to make sure my stomach is ready for it (I don't want to offend anyone by not eating what they serve me [or seem like a weird American who doesn't eat good food]), and saying goodbye to anyone who'll stand still (which does provoke strange looks from people, maybe I should stick to folks I actually know).
Anyhow, I just thought this blog needed one more post before I actually leave the country, especially when something as exciting as a tree falling on my house happened. The next time I write on here, I'll be all hot and sweaty (because the weather is hot and humid...)!
If I didn't see you before I left, goodbye!
In December, our landlord offered to pro-rate our rent for the month of January if we moved out around the middle of the month, which worked well for me as I'd been planning on heading to Portland around then anyway. As the new year approached, however, the subject was still under discussion as my roommates tried to straighten out their plans. Then, on New Years day, the universe made a decision for us. That is, a thirty-six inch ponderosa pine (that's diameter, not height) was blown down by hurricane-force wind gusts. It fell from the neighbors yard onto our roof, knocked almost all of the sheetrock from the walls and ceiling of the room under it, cracked joists and rafters, punched several large holes in the roof and managed to shake the foundation, skewing the front and back doors so they didn't close properly, as well as jarring several other doorways throughout the house. Not content to simply lean against the house, the top twenty feet or so snapped off, falling onto the house of the neighbors on the OTHER side. It was a pretty intense experience for me while I was making some lunch downstairs, and I can only imagine what that was like for Danielle, who was upstairs in her room at the time. Here are some pictures.
I should probably mention that no one was hurt, none of our possessions were damaged, and we'd all been planning on moving out by the end of the month ANYway, so it could have been a whole lot worse. I started working on a narrative of the whole event (it seemed like it'd make a good story), but things got a bit hectic and I didn't get very far. I'd like to take another shot at it once I'm settled in Thailand (which may be a while), and if it ends up being any good, maybe I'll post a copy.
So, instead of hanging around the house for a few more weeks, we decided it would be prudent to move on out ASAP and spent the next several days in a flurry of activity packing and clearing out. Since I really wasn't ready to leave Bend yet, I had to figure out what to do. I probably could have crashed with my brother at his new place, but I don't think there would have been space for all of my stuff, too, and I felt like he really should have an opportunity to settle into his new space without me all up in it. Fortunately, some friends up the street had space for me (and an empty garage for my boxes and boxes), so I headed over there. In any case, who'd rather live in close quarters with a sibling instead of two pretty girls and a cute puppy? I spent the next week and a half trying to tie up loose ends in Bend, playing in the snow, and working hard not to wear out my welcome as a houseguest. Eventually Aaron found time in his work schedule, I reserved a U-Haul, said goodbye, and headed north to Portland.
Now I'm REALLY in the final stages, trying to think of things I still need, eating a little meat every now and then to make sure my stomach is ready for it (I don't want to offend anyone by not eating what they serve me [or seem like a weird American who doesn't eat good food]), and saying goodbye to anyone who'll stand still (which does provoke strange looks from people, maybe I should stick to folks I actually know).
Anyhow, I just thought this blog needed one more post before I actually leave the country, especially when something as exciting as a tree falling on my house happened. The next time I write on here, I'll be all hot and sweaty (because the weather is hot and humid...)!
If I didn't see you before I left, goodbye!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
And so it starts.
A bit over a year ago, I decided to apply to the Peace Corps. It's hard to give a specific reason for WHY I went ahead and wanted to join. There was my recent divorce and the new feelings of freedom and opportunity to do something I never would have before; I had been telling myself that my time was worth more than my money in terms of what I have to donate to charitable causes and the Peace Corps seemed like a fantastic organization to invest some time with; I wanted to rebel against the apathy that I perceive which seems to be prevalent in terms of peoples' world views.
But alone, none of these (or any of the other reasons I could come up with) would really be enough. What it really came down to was that it's more a case of being unable to come up with a good reason NOT to. When this thought occurred to me, it struck as a really good way to make important decisions, and I think that it applies to how I've unconsciously been living my life for some time now.
ANYhow, I filled out the online application (specifically deciding NOT to request a particular placement), wrote my essays, got my recommendations and had my phone interview. And then in October, almost exactly a year after I'd started the whole process, I received my invitation to serve in Thailand. And so I said, "Hells yeah!"
Since then, I've been able to get in touch with a bunch of other volunteers who will be heading to the Land of Smiles with me, as well as a number of folks who are currently posted over there, and it's been a great opportunity to discuss concerns and excitement and get information from folks who know a lot more than I do. And what I have learned has been comforting. I keep hearing that I should sweat the language thing too hard yet (I've listened to a couple Thai language CDs, and I've watched some Thai films) since I will be receiving intensive language training and it would only hinder me if I learned the language wrong now. Apparantly I don't need to worry too much about taking everything I'm going to want, since it will be cheaper and easier to get much of what I will want once I am there. Finally, I have heard many times, "Enjoy your time at home. Drink good beer, spend time with friends and family, and don't worry about the next 27 months. There will be plenty of time for that later." (that's not really a direct quote)
Which brings me to right now. This morning I called the PC office and made my travel arrangements for pre-service orientation, and then I decided I should probably start this blog, since I'd been thinking about doing so for some time.
But alone, none of these (or any of the other reasons I could come up with) would really be enough. What it really came down to was that it's more a case of being unable to come up with a good reason NOT to. When this thought occurred to me, it struck as a really good way to make important decisions, and I think that it applies to how I've unconsciously been living my life for some time now.
ANYhow, I filled out the online application (specifically deciding NOT to request a particular placement), wrote my essays, got my recommendations and had my phone interview. And then in October, almost exactly a year after I'd started the whole process, I received my invitation to serve in Thailand. And so I said, "Hells yeah!"
Since then, I've been able to get in touch with a bunch of other volunteers who will be heading to the Land of Smiles with me, as well as a number of folks who are currently posted over there, and it's been a great opportunity to discuss concerns and excitement and get information from folks who know a lot more than I do. And what I have learned has been comforting. I keep hearing that I should sweat the language thing too hard yet (I've listened to a couple Thai language CDs, and I've watched some Thai films) since I will be receiving intensive language training and it would only hinder me if I learned the language wrong now. Apparantly I don't need to worry too much about taking everything I'm going to want, since it will be cheaper and easier to get much of what I will want once I am there. Finally, I have heard many times, "Enjoy your time at home. Drink good beer, spend time with friends and family, and don't worry about the next 27 months. There will be plenty of time for that later." (that's not really a direct quote)
Which brings me to right now. This morning I called the PC office and made my travel arrangements for pre-service orientation, and then I decided I should probably start this blog, since I'd been thinking about doing so for some time.
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