Ready, set

So it turns out that everyone was right – the time between graduation and my departure tomorrow really did fly by. Now only if I could convince my mom those two-odd years will be nothing…

The past two months have been about preparing for the next two years.

I've made lists, purchases, and piles. I’ve packed, repacked, and gotten Rosetta Stoned out of my mind. I’ve achieved self-cleaning hair (Really people, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Five months strong and my curls have never looked better). I ate meat! I’ve visited family and friends across the states for final goodbyes, and I’ve read countless books and blogs about Peace Corps / Benin. While I know there will be a lot to figure out once I get there, I can confidently say I’m ready to leave the U.S. of A. for a while. Adventure calls, so I suppose all I have left to do is go! I’ll do my best to keep you posted.

 

From "Ahhh!"                                           To "Voilà!"

“Désolée, je ne comprends pas…”

was the most common phrase spoken during my French phone interview last week. Translation: I’m sorry, I don’t understand… Often followed by “répétez, s’il vous plaît?” (Repeat, please?). While the woman from Benin was very kind and patient, the exhausting 15 minutes of confusion and embarrassment were only a preview to what I can expect during my first few months in French-speaking Africa. But the worst part was after the struggle of the interview was finished and I spent the rest of the day having what-I-should-have-said moments and ah ha! epiphanies as to what she was asking me. For example, when I thought she kept asking about “décor” (Is she asking how I will decorate my new hut? What the place I am now looks like? What tense was that? “Répétez, s’il vous plait…”), it took me about an hour post-interview to figure out she was saying “de corps” as in the corps as in Peace Corps, the thing I am going to be doing for the next two years… idiot.  Alas, I should probably forfeit the blog and go pratiquer mon français.