As I sit here in my rural Marietta homestead, I realize that I have only 6 days left before I leave everything I have ever known, and travel to the place that is unknown. I am sure that sounds fairly dramatic. Maybe it is... I don't know.
About Leaving: I have my fears. I am scared that something will happen to those I love, and I will be unable to do anything about it, and potentially will not even hear about it for a while. I know this can happen anytime, anywhere, so I try to stay logical and rational about it.
I am also nervous about the change I will undergo while I am in Morocco. I am sure there are things that will change me for the better, probably this will be most things. But, I am nervous that when I return I will not be the same person you all used to know. At the same time, I know you all will change, and I hope rather than growing apart from friends and loved ones, I will be able to grow with them, even with distance. I know I will miss you all. BUT... with that said...
Mostly I am excited. I cannot really describe the excitement. I am going to the unknown. I am sure that the adventurer in me loves the thrill of going somewhere new, knowing no one. Having to deal with stresses and difficult times will be exhilarating. For some this isn't their cup of tea. This is my cup of tea, and I am trying to dive right into it and submerse myself with it all.
I am excited to help and assist other people in my expertise, all the while learning and being taught about a way of life I have no clue about and yearn to learn everything about. In a way, I am newborn, and I hope that in the same way babies take in and learn their surroundings I can do the same. Maybe that is a shotty analogy. Hehe.
To my friends/readers: Thank you for everything over the past few months. Its been great, and I certainly cherish those times. I know you support me in what I do and I know your thoughts are with me. It was nice to get to see so so many of you before coming to secluded Marietta so I could spend time with my parentals. I will miss you folks, because you are all good people.
So I wanted to tell you a little about training, what my tentative schedule will be like from the time I fly to training in Philly next Monday March 2nd. Here it is, and I am sure during the process I will elaborate more:
Mon Mar. 2nd - Training in Philly
Tues Mar. 3rd - Bus to NYC, Fly out of JFK in the Eve to Casablanca, Morocco
Weds. Mar. 4th - Arrive in Morocco, immediately board a bus from Casablanca to Beni Mellal
Mar. 4th-8th - Training in a hotel in Beni Mellal, Morocco (foothills of Middle Atlas Mtns); it is a town of about 200,000 people.
Mar. 9th - Leave Training site for CBT (community based training) with 5 other Trainees, and go to a nearby village and live with a host family (on our own).
I am sure I will elaborate more on what happens each step of the way as it goes on. I just wanted to point out I hope to have access to internet about once a week after March 8th.
In addition to internet, I plan to keep a journal, and write letters. I would love if people wrote me letters as well. I have an address for the first three months, and here it is:
Eric O'Bryant, Trainee
s/c Corps de la Paix
2, rue Abou Marouane Essaadi Agdal,
Rabat 10100, MOROCCO
Allow like 2 weeks roughly for the letter to reach me, maybe 3 if you include the time for me to actually get it. I will surely reply. You letters would give me a smile. Please note: don't send packages to me during this time, as they will just sit, and I may be charged for them, or have them taken since I don't have access. So keep the boxes til later (I really hope you consider sending me a box of fun stuff, I would dig that, and would probably send you back something).
So I only have 6 days left, and I have been trying to fill myself up with various foods and drinks I will not have in Morocco. I even had fast food, something that is rare for me. I spend a fair bit of time watching TV as well, way way more than I have in a very very long time. But I am getting somewhat bored with spending my days doing the same sorts of things. Hehe, maybe in two weeks time I will be saying the opposite.
I will probably write again while I am in the midst of packing this weekend.
So in closing, I leave you with a snippit of lyrics. This comes from the song "Baby, We'll be Fine" by The National, off their album Alligator.
" Baby, we'll be fine
All we've gotta do is be brave and be kind"
Much Love
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
One Month Seems Both Short... and Long...
About One Month...
When I think about the fact that in (less than actually) one month I leave for Morocco, I get the "still don't know what to think" thought in my head. I honestly do not believe I will know what to think until it actually happens. The anticipations build, it is a semi-constant thought on my mind. How can I not think about it??? I mean, today, I was in Cleveland, and before that, Chicago. All in the name of seeing the people I care about another time. Sadly I did not have a chance to see everyone due to time constraints and the snowstorm.
But these thoughts are ever-present in my life. I get confronted with questions on a daily basis, and when I meet people it becomes an instant conversation piece. I am so familiar with the discussions, that I could write you a 99% verbatim script of how it would go. I will spare you of that, as more than likely, I have had that very conversation with you!
Overall, I am ready to go. I have been transitioning in my mind since before I left Europe, and other than seeing people still left to see, I am ready to hop on a plane and start this up. I was told by previous PCV (peace corps volunteers) that the waiting game was very long, and it is a true test of patience. They were right, and I have told many people about this test of endurance.
One Month... 30 days. I still have received no word from The Peace Corps as to how to make travel arrangements for training etc. Another test of endurance!
ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG
I wanted to lay out what I think the purpose of this blog should be:
1. Keeping in Touch - I want to be able to keep in touch with many of you who are curious about my time with the PC in Morocco. What I am doing, where I am going, how I am feeling etc. This is the best way to do that, and get your feedback all at the same time. I WANT YOU to ask questions, I WANT YOU to give me feedback. I will miss you all dearly. I know this.
2. Sharing my Thoughts and Feelings - While I will keep the super personal stuff for the Journaling, I want to use this forum to share my thoughts and feelings about my work, the culture, and my experiences. I know that in living in a culture where I do not speak the main languages will lead to frustrations and lack of being able to express myself. Sometimes it will lead to hilariously funny moments. I want to share these with you. The good and the bad. The old and the new. When I say that this blog does not reflect the Peace Corps in any way, I mean that. But I have to share with someone not Peace Corps, and that is you all!
3. Comparing Cultures - I have a unique opportunity to share with you the comparison of the culture that I know and you know, and the culture I will come to know. I feel like kind of a bridge of cultures for you and for the people of Morocco (I prefer to be a suspension bridge). I want to share.
So, with that all said, If you think there should be other topics as well, then let me know. Of course I will probably cover music, food, sport, religion etc... as these are all parts of culture.
Things YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE ONCE IN A WHILE:
1. Poetry - I will try to use poetry for expression sometimes. Maybe original, maybe something I find suiting
2. Music - You know me. I love most things music (eff you alt-country). I will maybe discuss a certain band I have been digging. Maybe give you a short playlist for the time. Maybe tell you about how I am trying to learn a Moroccan instrument and what it is like.
3. Pictures - If you didn't expect pictures... then too bad.
4. Probably other things as well. I just haven't thought of them yet.
So I leave you with this:
A poem by one of my all time favorites, Robert (Bob as I know him) Frost. With the snow outside, and the driving I had to do today, this poem popped into my head. I think of it, and realize that over the next two years, I will have so much to do, and while I might come to really cool places and do really cool things both now and in Morocco, I know that there is a task to be done, and know that ultimately, this task is what I am in Morocco to accomplish. I may grow weary, and I may want to stop at a nice resting place, but persistance is key.
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening
MUCH LOVE!
ERIC
When I think about the fact that in (less than actually) one month I leave for Morocco, I get the "still don't know what to think" thought in my head. I honestly do not believe I will know what to think until it actually happens. The anticipations build, it is a semi-constant thought on my mind. How can I not think about it??? I mean, today, I was in Cleveland, and before that, Chicago. All in the name of seeing the people I care about another time. Sadly I did not have a chance to see everyone due to time constraints and the snowstorm.
But these thoughts are ever-present in my life. I get confronted with questions on a daily basis, and when I meet people it becomes an instant conversation piece. I am so familiar with the discussions, that I could write you a 99% verbatim script of how it would go. I will spare you of that, as more than likely, I have had that very conversation with you!
Overall, I am ready to go. I have been transitioning in my mind since before I left Europe, and other than seeing people still left to see, I am ready to hop on a plane and start this up. I was told by previous PCV (peace corps volunteers) that the waiting game was very long, and it is a true test of patience. They were right, and I have told many people about this test of endurance.
One Month... 30 days. I still have received no word from The Peace Corps as to how to make travel arrangements for training etc. Another test of endurance!
ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG
I wanted to lay out what I think the purpose of this blog should be:
1. Keeping in Touch - I want to be able to keep in touch with many of you who are curious about my time with the PC in Morocco. What I am doing, where I am going, how I am feeling etc. This is the best way to do that, and get your feedback all at the same time. I WANT YOU to ask questions, I WANT YOU to give me feedback. I will miss you all dearly. I know this.
2. Sharing my Thoughts and Feelings - While I will keep the super personal stuff for the Journaling, I want to use this forum to share my thoughts and feelings about my work, the culture, and my experiences. I know that in living in a culture where I do not speak the main languages will lead to frustrations and lack of being able to express myself. Sometimes it will lead to hilariously funny moments. I want to share these with you. The good and the bad. The old and the new. When I say that this blog does not reflect the Peace Corps in any way, I mean that. But I have to share with someone not Peace Corps, and that is you all!
3. Comparing Cultures - I have a unique opportunity to share with you the comparison of the culture that I know and you know, and the culture I will come to know. I feel like kind of a bridge of cultures for you and for the people of Morocco (I prefer to be a suspension bridge). I want to share.
So, with that all said, If you think there should be other topics as well, then let me know. Of course I will probably cover music, food, sport, religion etc... as these are all parts of culture.
Things YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE ONCE IN A WHILE:
1. Poetry - I will try to use poetry for expression sometimes. Maybe original, maybe something I find suiting
2. Music - You know me. I love most things music (eff you alt-country). I will maybe discuss a certain band I have been digging. Maybe give you a short playlist for the time. Maybe tell you about how I am trying to learn a Moroccan instrument and what it is like.
3. Pictures - If you didn't expect pictures... then too bad.
4. Probably other things as well. I just haven't thought of them yet.
So I leave you with this:
A poem by one of my all time favorites, Robert (Bob as I know him) Frost. With the snow outside, and the driving I had to do today, this poem popped into my head. I think of it, and realize that over the next two years, I will have so much to do, and while I might come to really cool places and do really cool things both now and in Morocco, I know that there is a task to be done, and know that ultimately, this task is what I am in Morocco to accomplish. I may grow weary, and I may want to stop at a nice resting place, but persistance is key.
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
MUCH LOVE!
ERIC
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I am Morocco Bound!!!
So I found out I am going to Morocco, and could not be more excited! I leave at the End of February, and when I leave, this is where you can go to find updates (hopefully more often than not), and hear my happenings.
I will update this blog with a number of Links regarding Pictures, Peace Corps, and anything else. Right now it is in the bare bones stage, but before I go, it will be in pristine shape.
Keep reading, and e-mail me and keep in touch!
Much Love,
Eric
I will update this blog with a number of Links regarding Pictures, Peace Corps, and anything else. Right now it is in the bare bones stage, but before I go, it will be in pristine shape.
Keep reading, and e-mail me and keep in touch!
Much Love,
Eric
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