2 years in 2 bags

I'm not sure how it fit and I'm not sure how I'm going to repack it after training, but I (really my super amazing packer mother) managed to get basically everything I needed in one NorthFace rolling duffel, one hiking backpack, one carry-on backpack and a larger purse. I know most of time Peace Corps soon to be volunteers check out blogs of current Peace Corps volunteers for tips on packing. I can't say that my method is going to work for everyone, but here is the picture of what my bags look like.

 

Here is a general list of what I packed because I actually didn't count all my items.

- 10-20 Tee shirts  (included is some sleeping tees and some nicer ones)

- 10 long sleeved shirts

- 4 pairs of jeans

- 2 pairs of pants

- all the yoga pants I own (this is a lot of yoga pants)

- lots of socks

- 3 bathing suits and a bathing suit cover

- 3 summerish/nicer dresses

- 3 longer shirts

- a few pairs of shorts

- 2 pairs of sneakers, TOMS shoes, Rainbows, flats & 2 other pairs of sandals. 

- One hoodie sweashirt and one zip up sweatshirt ( The zip-up is my 46HourABBS sweatshirt from THON and probably one of the best purchases I made in my life. I practically lived in it in college).

- underwear, obviously

- lots of toiletries

- laptop (and external hard drive)

- IPOD touch (Thanks mark!)

- Kindle (THANKS DAD!)

- Flip cam (Thanks Dad!)

- Nikon D60 

- Digital Camera (Thank you Donnie and Maria!!!)

- Host family gifts

- Pictures and cards from my amazing family and friends :) 

I'm sure there are a few things I'm forgetting to list, but you get the point. There are a few things I don't need right away and I will be having my parents ship, but for the most part I think we did pretty well. I have one more full day of life in New Jersey and in my house (I'll be relocating once I come back in August 2013). Goodbyes are definitely the worst, but I can honestly say after these past couple of weeks I truly have the best friends and family a girl could ask for. I want to thank EVERYONE for their kind words of support and advice, you have no idea how much it means to me. Before leaving you with a quote here is a picture of the quote on my luggage.

 

 

"Never STOP Exploring." Amen, NorthFace.

"Trust that little voice in your head that says 

'Wouldn't it be interesting if...' ; And then do it"

- Duane Michals

 

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle

6. 1. 2011 Single Digits

I'm in single digits now. I can't believe how quick the time flew. First off, I want to say I have the BEST friends. I had an AMAZING time down in Sea Isle with some pretty awesome people. I'm going to miss you guys so much & really hope you all stay in touch. I want to hear all about your summertime & the next 2 years of your life. 

 

First night in Sea Isle for MDW . Left to Right Me, Danielle, Abby, Brandon. Amazing WEEKEND!

I had my interview for my Spanish levels today. Needless to say it went.... ok? The lady asked me what my favorite holiday was and I responded with "mi cumpleanos". She started laughing very hard which in turn made me laugh. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be placed in the basic Spanish class, but I was told by other volunteers its better to placed where you should be. You move up levels very quickly once you're in Peru. I'm sure the first few weeks there will be a lot of hand motions and charades going on but I'm confident that I'll pick up the language pretty quickly.

I wanted to update you guys on keeping in contact with me. On the right side of this page is my SKYPE address. My skype name is brix3bri23. Please download Skype (www.skype.com and it's free to download) if you don't have it already. I want to see all your beautiful faces! Also... my address during training has been posted (on the right of this page) with directions on how to mail things. Customs can be annoying so following the directions is key. I don't want them taking any of the stuff you guys thoughtfully send :) At some point I will have a telephone and the number will be there as well.

9 days til I'm to the next adventure of my crazy life. 

"The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before." - Albert Einstein

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle

5. 19. 2011 SOME Things I'll Miss

This is just a short list of the things I'm going to miss. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to go to Peru (and after 2 years I'm sure there will be many things I'll miss there) but there are some things that justt won't be the same....

1. Small French vanilla iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts (if someone can find a way to send this it would be great)
2. Fountain sodas with ice (particularly Coke Zero, the greatest soda ever)
3. Physically being at THON (check out www.thon.org for those who have zero idea what I’m talking about)
4. Thurman (my dog that only likes me because I sneak him ice cubes when my dad isn’t looking )

Thurman Munson

5.Weekly lunches with my Grandma Jinny at Lulu’s 

6. Driving Rhonda my Red Rav 4 and blasting music.

7. New York City-all of it (maybe not the commute in)

8. TV Shows I love… particularly anything that BRAVO has on. I will miss BRAVO, dearly.

9. Hot showers or maybe just showers.

10.Tomorrows Children's Institute and the awesome kids on the 5^th Floor.

11.Watching the Yankees win another world series (because they are going to win)

12. California Pizza Kitchen, Matthew's Diner and Nellie's Pizza.

13. Go Go Gadjet ( www.gogogadjet.com basically the greatest cover band alive)

14.Wilmington, North Carolina

15. And to save the best for last... my family & friends. I will miss all of you the absolute most. 

20 days. 

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive” – Howard Thurman

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle 

5. 14. 2011: Penn State, Packing & Perfect Days.

First off, I want to say CONGRATS to all my Penn State graduates. I come from the greatest school alive and get to be a part of the greatest and largest alumni network to exist. There is no one like a Nittany Lion! I wish all of you the best in your future endeavors.

Graduation in December 2010.
"May no act of ours bring shame, to one heart that loves thy name,
may our lives but swell thy fame. Dear old State, dear old State." - Penn State Alma Mater
Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Question of the day: How do you pack when you have no idea where your final destination may be? I don’t even know how to answer this yet. Everyone I have asked about packing for Peru has come up with one answer: PACK LIGHT. That is a hard concept to wrap your head around when you know you’re going to be living in another country for 2 years, and have zero clue what climate you’ll be in and what you’ll be able to get.

I’ve finally started to cross off items on my “to pack” list. Every time I cross off something on the list a little bit of my nerves calm (key word: little). I’m allowed 2 checked bags, not exceeding 107’ inches (height, width, length) combined and the biggest bag can be no MORE than 50 lbs. I’m allowed one carry-on bag. So, as I write this I’m staring at my hiking backpack wondering how much of my life I can shove into it (thank goodness I have a mother who is an expert at packing).

For future Peace Corps Volunteers seeking some solace with the packing situation, all I can say is…I’m hopeful it will all work out & if it doesn’t you can always have things shipped. Once I’m finally done with packing I’ll post a list of what I packed because other Volunteer’s blogs have helped tremendously when it comes to this issue.

I have 25 days till I take my flight from LaGuardia at 9am to our nations capital. By this time the worry of packing will be the last thing on my mind (well at least after it’s weighed at check in). After a day full of meetings I will be spending my last night in America at The Holiday Inn Georgetown (where I plan on taking the longest and hottest shower imaginable). 

Then it’s time to start the journey from DC->Miami->Peru. The main question I’m getting now is: Are you nervous? Of course I’m nervous, but I’m also anxious, excited and a slew of other emotions. I’m more importantly extremely grateful… because I get to LIVE my dream, not just talk about it anymore. I get the chance to finally integrate myself into another community, make a difference in someone else’s life and have someone else make a difference in mine.

I’ve always considered Peace Corps to be a selfless and selfish decision. The feeling you get when you can give back to someone who can’t give you back anything in return is unlike anything I've experienced (even jumping out of a plan at 14,000 ft… and I can attest to this). 

Me getting ready to jump out of an airplane
at 14, 000 ft. Thanks for the Christmas gift Mark!

I know, right now, that I will not only be teaching the youth of Peru, but they are going to teach me lessons I never thought existed.

I’ll leave you with something a very dear professor at Penn State told me....

“Your time in the Peace Corps will certainly be a life-changing experience. I'm reminded of a message I once read on a church bulletin board. ‘You haven't lived a perfect day until you've done something for someone who could never repay you’.  During your time in Peru you'll have many "perfect days." Some days may not be easy but you can rest assured that you're making a difference in the lives of the people you meet.”

I am truly blessed. 

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle 

5.9. 2011- Why Peace Corps? What am I doing?

So, I've been asked multiple times ( I'm sure as everyone else who has made this crazy yet amazing decision has as well)... 

Why the Peace Corps? Why do you need to go outside the United States, in a language you're not 100% comfortable with, in a culture that is could be completely different from your own? 
My answer has and always will be: Why NOT?! I've had the itch to travel and to serve since a high school trip to Honduras where I promised myself I would finish college and give the Peace Corps more than just a second thought. Who knew when I presented this idea to my parents about 2 years ago they would be 100% supportive and as excited as I was. I will never forget telling my dad that I wanted to join the Peace Corps and his response was : "Where and when do I sign the papers?." Well... that went over a WHOLE lot better than I expected. My love for traveling paired with the constant feeling of wanting to give back has lead me right here: a month away from calling Peru home. 

Me dancing with the kids at COPPROME orphanage in El Progresso, Honduras.

I get this question a lot too: WHAT are you going to be doing?!!! So here are specifics for all of you folks taking the precious time out of your day to read this
(AND PLEASE SEND ME QUESTIONS brielle.colby@gmail.com if you have any! I'll try to answer them as best as I can). 


Country: Peru

Program: Youth Development

Job Title: Youth Development Facilitator

Orientation Dates: June 9th, 2011

Pre-Service Training (in PERU): June 10th, 2011- August 18th, 2011

Dates of Service: August 19th, 2011- August 18th, 2013 

The specific goal will be in support of Peace Corps Peru's overall Youth Development strategy, whose primary objective is to prepare Peruvian youth for family life, the world of work and community involvement.

Your specific responsiblities might include

-Training youth in identifying their goals and formulating action plans to help them achieve their goals.

-Helping establish a summer school program or an after-school tutoring program, to assist youth in improving their academic performance. 

-Facilitating vocational training to provide young people with needed employment skills and a better understanding of the job market.

-Helping set up a youth entrepreneurship program

-Helping youth leaders develop and implement community action projects, such as trash clean-up days and tree planting campaigns.

-Helping establish athletic tournaments to promote physical fitness and higher self-esteem.

-Training adults in improved parenting techniques so families may better address the concerns of youth  (I see myself channeling Papa Colby for this...)

-Training teachers and youth workers on how to incorporate important life skills into the classroom and other activities.

-Working with community partners on institutional capacity-building, strategic planning and program development. 

The rest of the brochure goes on to say that this is a rewarding yet challenging job (One of the Peace Corps slogan being 'The hardest job you'll ever love'). It ends by saying "You can be assured that you will be in the forefront of youth development efforts in Peru."  Awesome.

"Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience."- Paulo Coelho

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle 

 

5.9. 2011- 31 days and counting

Time is NOT stopping and now its 31 days' til I start my next chapter in life: Peace Corps PERU! First off...I may have been a little late to the party (unusual of me because I'm usually on top of this stuff) but I found a Facebook group for "Peru 17ers". For those of you who don't get it (although its pretty straightforward)... we are the 17th group headin' to Peru (and the 8th Youth Development group). We are comprised of Youth Development (that's me, woohoo) and Business Development trainees (we won't be volunteers officially until we are sworn in after our 3 months of pre-service training). It's nice to finally see have people experiencing all the emotions that I am... aka not fully understanding how the H. E double hockey sticks I'm packing for the next 2 years in 2 bags that in total can't weigh more than 80 lbs. This has anxiety written all over it for me. However, it was nice to get some insight on what to bring and what NOT to bring. Most of the stuff I will be able to actually buy once I'm in Peu.

My grandparents from North Carolina were up for the week to visit their other grandchildren, and to spend some time with me before I leave. My mom decided to have a family going away party while everyone was in town. So the first round of goodbyes begins. I've become extremely used to goodbyes because of school switches and moving. I have been able to hold back tears thus far. I've tried to remind people that 2 years goes fast. I graduated college in 4 and I'm still trying to figure out where ALL that time went. But, 2 years is still a long time, and hugging someone for the last time for 2 years can be emotional. Not really looking forward to the next couple rounds of goodbyes. 

It was Mother's Day yesterday and I spent it with the greatest mom I know. I couldn't have a better mother who not only allows but supports my crazy idea to live in Peru. I hope everyone had a great day with your own mommas.

Me and Momma on Christmas!

So, now I wait for my staging directions. Staging is the Peace Corp's term for "the day before you leave for Peru." I will be taking a plane from La Guardia to DC for the day. The day is filled with meetings and getting more shots that I need. I leave for Peru June 10th.

P.S. : Congrats to all my friends graduating (esp my new fellow alumni Nittany Lions). Welcome to the real world. 

"Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at... SOMETHING. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance." - One Day by David Nicholls

Hasta la próxima vez
Brielle

3.25.2010- The Invitation

Well, as most of you know, I've been quite anxious for my letter of invitation to arrive in the mail. I was waiting on a call from a Program Specialist in the Peace Corps and just as I ordered my food for my birthday dinner at Benito II in Little Italy with Mark, a (202) area code popped up on my phone. Washington, DC. I knew this was it. I went outside in the hail to hear him better and the conversation now is a blur... but I know the last thing he said was "Congratulations! Your invitation to serve is in the mail". In this packet I would finally find out where I would be for the next 2 years and the date I would be leaving. Happy 22nd birthday to me. 

So, fast forward to 2 days later... I was downstairs watching my go to channel (Bravo) when I heard the doorbell ring around 4pm. Then, I heard my mom tell me something came from the Peace Corps. I ran upstairs and saw the big BLUE packet sitting on the kitchen table. I don't think I ripped open my college acceptance letters as fast as I did this envelope. And there it was... my assignment.......

 

I leave June 9th, 2011 and tentatively return August 18th, 2013. This process hasn't been easy, and at times I thought my dream wouldn't come true.... but it's finally here.  My job title, once I complete training, is  Youth Development Facilitator which means I will be helping the youth and young adults of Peru learn life skills, build self-esteem and leadership. I will work along government organizations and NGO's.

I've never been more excited for something in my life & I could not be more thankful to have 2 extremely supportive parents that have been nothing but helpful through this whole experience. I'm also lucky to have some incredibly amazing friends and boyfriend that I know are clearing their schedule now for a vacation below the equator :) 

I cannot say THANK YOU enough to the people who got me here. A special shout out to goes to the 3 people who wrote my letters of recommendation when I first started this process... Abby Rzepnicki, Jack Davis and Megan Brown. Two of whom are my closest and dearest friends. Abby and Jack, I know as much as you wished you could keep me here, you knew in your hearts it I was meant to do this (Abby, out of all my friends I know I'll be seeing you in Peru, my little world traveler. To Jack: Just remember "You'll always be my plus 1") . I really, really can't tell you both how much it meant to me to write those letters on my behalf. 

And, to Megan, I couldn't have asked for a better boss and friend for my first internship, ever. You taught me so much & made coming to work fun. Thank-you for taking the time out of your busy day to not write me a letter once... but twice (sorry again for losing the first copy).

NOW,  I wait until June 9th comes around. I'll enjoy all the American food I can and cherish the remaining time I have with all my close family and friends. ADIOS, for now.

"If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared – most of all – to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself….then truth will not be withheld from you." -Eat, Pray, Love

Hasta la próxima vez 

Brielle