It starts tomorrow---

Ok so I leave for Philly for three days and then I'm off for Armenia.  I will be meeting the other invitees and we will be starting our new chapters.  Crazy that it has finally come, it was a year ago I started to take the steps toward this dream and now it will become real.  No longer will I be just reading blogs but one writing them.  

Ohio has been great.  Loved the time with my mom and seeing her new life out here.  It has been nice to kinda have this intermission between my old life and new.  Very relaxing and a time to center myself.   

Las Vegas Friends and Family, I have missed you and will continue to do so.  I haven't decided if I miss the 100+ degree weather or not.  

He is my mailing address while I am in PST.  I will be there for a good four months before I get my permanent address. 

Debra Truchon 

House of Culture

K. Demirchyan Square

2501 Charentsavan

Armenia

It should take about a week for things to arrive there.  My e-mail is debbie_truchon@yahoo.com.  

Please fill free to send things and or write.  It will be great to hear from everyone.  My next entry should be from Armenia!! :) 

One Week to go!

I leave in a week.  Wow, one week and I will being the next chapter of my life.  I have some nervousness.  My mom asked me if  I was having second thoughts today, I said no, so as she put it I should not be nervous.   Wisdom from a wise woman.  I do have some fear of the adjustments that I will have to make, but I think that's normal, why else would they give me a whole book on it to review.  The first part just talked about the weather and language issues.  I am excited about this though, I have learned that I grow the most when I have to, change is always around no matter how much I wish for simplicity.  I guess I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Ohio front, mom and I missed the fishing season by a whole two months.  Thats my story and I'm stick-en to it.  LOL.  It has been great being so close to nature.  It beautiful here, green and fresh.  A little bit colder than I would like, but  suspect this will one of the adjustments I will be making while in Armenia so its a head start for me.  

The language aspect is coming, slowly.  It's so hard, but I think my host family and training will be where I will grow the most.  I need some help breaking down the language some more.  I have a hard time hearing the words.  I made some flash cards that I have been reviewing.  Every little bit helps.  

Next week I will be posting my address for PST.  You will be able to send things to that address for the three-four months that I will be in training.  

Ohio two'ish weeks to go...

So I have been in Ohio a week now....it has been good, physical labor did not start until today.  Mom gave me a week to adjust.  We have traveled some, we went to Geneva, Erie PA to go to Target, German Village in Columbus Ohio and all over Conneaut.  It has been great.  For all my friends in Vegas, did you know that flowers grow from the ground and in trees?  Its amazing what water can do if you have some.  Conneaut is small but beautiful.  My moms house is great.  It's been Mini(my replacement), mom and I.  

My mom and I met up with the Scoles in German Village.  Poor Cory was injured with all the excitement of getting to see me one last time.  He managed to pull a neck muscle while turning left.  He had to get two shoots in the you know what.  He does not like to talk about it, but hey he felt nooooo pain afterwords.   He's a real trouper.  It was great to see them one last time before I fly out.  

I'm slowly practicing Armenian.  It's hard.  

Back from Cali on my way to Ohio

Well I just got back from my three day stay visiting the Pooks and my dear friend Audra.   Before that was my goodbye party her in Vegas.  Both events were great.  Good food and great company.  I will miss everyone so much.  

Some notes I want to share:

When did the slow lane for trucks become a passing lane? When did the carpool lane become a truck lane?  Also there comes a point in every ex-Californians life when you realize you will miss aspects but you will never move back.  The greenness, the quick ( I use the word lightly) access to the beach and the friends you have there will be missed. On the other hand,  I will not miss the traffic, the smog, or the large amount of people. 

Its crazy three more days in Vegas.  To much stuff to do not enough time I feel.  Sigh....

I have my flight info to Philly where staging will be.  Just a month until I begin training.  To think just a year ago I started the application process.  

Staging info arrives

So today I got my staging information.  It has the info on staging in Philly, flight info to Armenia, packing info, a fun cd with useful things for what I will be doing, and more paperwork to complete.   I posted this on the yahoo site that I got my so that the other A-16's (Armenia group 16-the 16th group to go) can keep an eye out for their packets.  Some of them have responded so thats exciting.

Packing----------

I'm not only packing to leave, I am also packing as if I was moving out.  My mom pointed out that it should not be that hard as I only live in a room.  True....but I am also trying to down size with the thoughts of "will I need this when I return as I will be 26?"  Crazy!!!!  I have made a pile of all the close I want to bring.  I will go through this pile probably three more times.  I never realized how much I like cloths until I started to pack.  Bad, very bad.  I think I will hold off buying anything here in Vegas since I will be in Ohio for a whole month.  I say this now, but we'll see if I will follow this in the next week and a half. 

I will be in Cali for a couple of days to see the Pooks and hopefully my best friend.   Thats where I am today.  

Two Weeks to Ohio, Six to Staging

Hello everyone, I am using this site to share my experience through the Peace Corps.  I have blogged on another site, but I don't see all of my friends using that site.  I think this one will be more assessable to the majority.

I am currently an invitee, I have not been sworn in yet so I can not say I am a Peace Corps Volunteer yet.  I will have to pass some test, mainly a language test after Post Service Training(PST).  I will be going to Armenia in the beginning of June 2008.  I am still waiting on my Staging information.  It has been suggested that we will be going to Philly. I have never been so I am excited.

Yesterday was my last day at work,  I am now unemployed.  USVI really out did themselves.  So much love and kindness.  I will truly miss them but know I have their support.  I can't wait to hear all the great things that will be happening there while I am going.  Everyone there is like family to me and to do great work for some many homeless veterans.  

I have two weeks to pack, say goodbye to all my friends and family on the west coast before I fly to Ohio for a month to spend time with my parents.  It'll go by fast, probably to fast.