The past two weeks have gone by in a whirlwind. It’s hard to believe a little over 2 weeks ago I was still living with 25 other soon-to-be volunteers preparing for our Swearing-In Ceremony at PCTC (Peace Corps Training Center). The Swearing-In Ceremony was filled with speeches by everyone from a representative of our host families, one of our own fellow volunteers, our Country Director, the US Ambassador, and the Madagascar’s Minister of Education. We all sang our national anthems, we sang a Malagasy song, performed dances from each of our respective regions, and wore traditional lambas. I have to say I think mine was the best! It was truly a joyous occasion that suddenly turned into a solemn realization that we would all be saying goodbye soon… and after install we would be all on our own to survive out in the Madagascar wilderness! Or in my case one of the largest cities…
Swearing-In and the preparation was more emotional for me than I expected. I wasn’t anticipating it, but it became a time for reflection. I found myself remembering why I decided to apply for the Peace Corps, what and who inspired/still inspires me, and of course, thinking about home. I also had this unknown feeling come over me that I don’t think I have ever felt before — I think for the first time in my life I felt patriotic. I was (and still am) proud of the program JFK (our only Catholic president!) started over 50 years ago. And as they played the recording of JFK talking about the Peace Corps I felt like more of an American citizen than I ever have before. (Now for those of you who know me well, no this moment hasn’t changed my after Peace Corps dreams…)
On the other hand as we began saying our goodbyes I felt so unemotional that I surprised myself at first. I wondered for a while - why aren’t the tears coming!? And then as I looked around I realized that everyone else was crying, which meant there was no way I could cry. When others cry, I can’t. I don’t know why, but I guess unconsciously I feel as though I have to be the strong one to keep it together. The logical scientist in me also thought about how we only have only have to wait 3 months until IST (In-Service Training) when we will see each other again. And if we’ve already had 3 months fly by at PST (Pre-Service Training), then logically, IST would be here before we know it! Although as I hugged my last friend goodbye, I will admit I lost it…
And just like that we were all moved-out and off to install….
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| Swearing-In lamba hoany |
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| The cars are all packed! |