On My Way To Tonga!! =)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Malo e lelei!! (Hello!!)

I meant to up-date the blog before I left but…..things got busy, as I am sure you can imagine. =)

I started off my Tongan adventure with having an AMAZING going away party. It was great!! It’s interesting…..you spend so much time with the important people in your life but you never REALLY say all the things that are in your heart. I have received so many amazing words of love, appreciation, and support. It all really touched my heart and made it that much harder to leave being surrounded by so many people who love me. Thankfully I have received some amazing inspirational/motivational gifts to remind me of all the support and love I have been blessed with.

As I was saying “good bye/see you soon” to some of my family and friends I realized that it is a lot harder to watch someone leave than to be the person leaving. The person leaving has something to focus their attention on rather than to think about all the loved ones they are going to be leaving. That is the ONLY thing that has saved me from having a harder time leaving. My loved ones are so supportive of my decision to join the Peace Corps and I am truly thankful for that!! But not until I watched everyone have such a hard time watching me leave, did I realize how much of an impact your own personal goals in life can have such a big impact on your loved ones lives as well. I always knew this, but to watch it happen is a whole different level of realization and appreciation for the love and support.

My trip started the night before I was leaving with having a few minor luggage weight/size challenges….in the end it all worked out, left a few things at home and only cost me an extra $30 for over weight bags (I was very thankful that it was not more expensive). When I arrived in LA, I met the other 23 Tonga volunteers I would be serving with and the 13 Samoan volunteers we would be flying with. We attended some pretty standard meetings about what to expect when we arrive at our post. For lunch Jove and Nati came to the hotel to have an amazing lunch together. Nati stayed to visit and stuck around to make sure I got to security okay. (Thanks Nati!!) Now I sit writing this up-date in the terminal waiting for my flight. The Peace Corps (PC) had us arrive at the airport at 6pm and out flight does not leave until 11:15…..so needless to say we have way to much time to think and miss our loved ones.

Once I arrive in Tonga we will be welcomed by the current volunteers. We will stay on the capital/main island Nuku’alofa for about a week. Then we will be shipped….by boat…..a 22 hour boat ride (brought a lot of Dramamine!!)……to another island for about 6 weeks or so. Then we will come back to the main island for another few weeks and then finally be done with training and find out where we will be staying for the rest of our service around the middle of December.