Next Week I'll be Official!

Next week at this time I will be an official Peace Corps Volunteer, so that's an exciting thought. Training is winding up, I've had my language test, and really, all that is left for me to do is pack up my belongings and bid farewell to my wonderful host family.

The bus comes to collect us from our training site Monday morning. My host family will be working, so they can't see me off; however, grandma and grandpa will be there, so I'll have people to wave to dramatically as the bus pulls away.

The thought of grandma and grandpa host family taking me and my MANY MANY bags to the bus is funny to me. First of all, there is the fact that I have MANY MANY bags. Even more bags then I first came to country with because Peace Corps has given us tons of language books, training manuals, health binders, health kits, the list goes on and on. Monday morning it will be me and the 'ol grandfolks and that might be a little awkward. Even though I can usually get the gist of things that are being said to me, for some reason, when it comes to my babushka, I cannot understand a damn work. I always just end up staring at her in a daze. She must think I'm dim because after all this time, I still can't communicate with her. Oh well, at least I know how to say good-bye and thank you. She can understand that I'm sure.

I'm nervous and excited about this next big phase. My regional manager called me last week and told me that (thankfully!) I won't be living with the crazy woman I stayed with on my site visit. She's still interviewing families and she doesn't know for sure where I'll be living as of yet, but it won't be with the crazy bitch. That's what she was. I never blogged about her, but suffice to say, she was a crazy bitch: only speaking to me in English, always correcting me, telling ME when I was saying things wrong, laughing at my Ukrainian and worst of all, always making classict and racist remarks. I was scared I was going to be stuck with her, but thankfully, God answers prayers.

I'm in the Peace Corps office right now. I had the medical office check out my ear because it has been hurting for over a week. There is no infection, but my ears are constantly popping like I'm under water and it's really no fun. I'm on more meds, but thankfully there is no need for antibiotics. The doctor thinks I'm allergic to the dust in the down pillows and sheets that I'm sleeping with at my host home. She said she's going to send me to site with a synthetic pillow and blanket. More to lug, but hopefully I won't be allergic to Bar too.

Well, that's all for now. Next time I write, I'll be an official volunteer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I love and miss you all.