Staging here I come!

First thing I see at Philadelphia Airport

If that's not a sign, I don't what is...

   **Update**

As I sit in my hotel room in Philly, I can't help but embrace that this may be my last night to myself. The next few weeks will literally be planned out for us, right down to when and what we eat. I am excited, nervous, anxious, and oddly content. I have been truly lucky to spend 5 amazing months back home in Rhode Island and have made some wonderful new friends along the way. 

Having said that, when I sat down on the plane to Philly I found myself at home. A friend recently called me a Nomad (Kelly :)) and I suppose she's right. I'm more comfortable on planes and trains than I am driving  a car.  At this stage in my life I belong traveling, and what's more, I am beginning quite possibly the greatest adventure of my life to date. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to begin work in a field I hope to make my career in. I have been desperately trying to read through the many manuals of new customs that are to become 2nd nature to me, and staring at a language that looks more like something from Star Wars than this planet. 

In the morning I depart for actual Staging (conference with the other 41 members of the AZ9 Peace Corps group) before I board a bus and planes on Friday to Azerbaijan. Here's to new friends and new adventures! Wish me luck and send your love, I'm off to Azerbaijan. 

Xxx Corina

President JFK 's Peace Corps Message - Click Here!

Staging Instructions have Arrived!

Staging Location:
Philadelphia, PA
September 22, 2011 12:00pm EST

Travel Itinerary:
September 23, 2011 8:30am Depart (by Bus) to JFK International Airport


Depart: 5:05pm - Flight from New York -->
Arrive September 24, 2011 10:15am - Istanbul

Depart Istanbul 2:15 -->arrive Baku 7:00pm

So exciting! Starting to feel real now. Will be sending out contact information soon!

Please give me a moment while I google that.

So the mysterious land of Azerbaijan, neighbor of the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains... here's a little info for those of you who don't know (which is probably most).

Country Facts:

Official Name:   Azerbaycan Respublikasi

Capital:  Baku

Population: 7,830,000

Currency:  Manat

Exchange Rate to the $: 1AZN = $1.27

Language: Azerbaijani

Government: Presidential Republic

Famous for: Oil, Saffron, & Cavier

                                                                                                                  Miles from Rhode Island: 5,680

Kilometers from Rhode Island: 9,140

Neighbors: Russia (North), Iran (South), Caspian Sea (East) & Armenia and Georgia (West)

Salutations:  Salam Aleykum (Hello), Lutfan (Please), Tasakkur Adiram (Thank You)
Time Difference Between  Rhode Island (EST) and Baku:  +9 Hours

      

Invitation has arrived!!!!

It's Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been formally accepted to serve in the United States Peace Corps service in the Republic of Azerbaijan. I will be working as a Community Economic Development Advisor, leaving September 22nd!

Patience is a Virtue Part II

***Update***
I have now relocated back to the U.S. and I am in round 2 of Placement and am now playing the waiting game. 440 days since application and counting.

So according to my Placement Officer, she is now looking at programs departing between Oct-Dec. Cross-refrenced with PCWiki the Business Development programs leaving are...

August
Mexico, Guatamala, Panama, Dominican Republic,Kazakhstan, and Nicauragua
September
Macedonia,Vanuatu, Cameroon, Peru, Togo, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Paraguay

October
Tonga
Kenya
Burkina Faso
Niger suspended January 2011

October (All Business)
Tonga, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Niger, Costa Rica, Rwanda, and Samoa

Patience is a Virtue

One thing that the Peace Corps teaching you, is Patience. That patience starts with the application process...

I am now getting really impatient in the process because I am so close to the finish. I know that my medical is all in place to be cleared and the next step is the actual Placement process. I cannot wait! Part of this is being accelerated by my time in London coming to a close. This transition is going to be very difficult for me and I am already trying not to think about it. Here's to hoping I get some good news in the next few days! FINGERS CROSSED.