News Flash...Life is Calling

I got my official invitation from the Peace Corps yesterday and I find myself returning once again to Eastern Europe!  Next stop, Albania!  I don't know a thing about Albania, but I have a friend from Romania who says it's beautiful. I saw some pictures and it does look rather nice but you never really get a good sense of anyplace until your feet actually touch the ground.

Some of the people I've told have expressed concern for me since I wasn't placed in Indonesia...the country where I was nominated to. I'm not disappointed in the least! In fact, I'm actually very excited to be returning to Eastern Europe...and to a country where they use a Latin alphabet! Huge bonus for me, absolutely. Maybe this time around I'll have a lot less stress about the language. To this day I am still able to think in Russian and use Russian words but it's an enormous relief to not have to try to converse with someone!!

Interesting fact: Albania is about the size of Maryland, yet has only 3 million people! This amazes me as there are almost a million folks here in Rhode Island and you can fit about 10 Rhode Islands into Albania!  More on this country as I learn about it.

Untitled

Since I haven't written in a long time, I wasn't sure what to title this blog. I've sat down to write at least 10 times since I last wrote but nothing was really note worthy so I gave up.  After that last post...one week later, as a matter of fact, I was offered a job with that company I wrote about who interviewed me for 90 minutes and then told me they weren't hiring.I like the work but the job is terrible. The person in charge of the main floor is a control freak and micro-manages everyone...and I mean EVERYONE. No one is immune to her nit-picking. The only reason I put up with it is because it's only temporary. I figured since March is only about 6 months away, I can put up with just about anything. Some day's are tougher than others, however, and it's a wonder none of us storms out in exasperation.

That aside, I heard from the Peace Corps placement office last week. I take this to mean that my letter of invitation is on the way although I may not be going to Indonesia like I thought. The girl in placement asked me if I would be willing to return to Eastern Europe. Of course I said yes...I'll go anywhere they send me now. I got to thinking too...about how much I miss my friends in Romania and Ukraine. It wouldn't be so bad to be closer to them again. I think the Peace Corps really does it's homework as far as placement goes. Knowing I have worked in the Eastern European school system does give me a distinct edge. All the former communist bloc countries have/had similar structures and since I am going to be training teachers, it would make sense to send me back.

Not knowing where I will end up has spiced up my life a bit. Normally surprises are not something I welcome, but this time it feels sorta nice. I am imagining all kinds of places and cultures where I may end up and the excitement just keeps building. I remember the wait for the first invitation with the Peace Corps was filled with anxiety. I was afraid to go to certain countries and the fear of the unknown kept me up on more than one occasion. This time is totally different. I am comfortable with where ever I am sent and with what ever happens. I think that being a seasoned veteran definitely has its advantages.