Loading ...Changes all around July 2nd, 2008
Hi, this is my first post and I am really excited to be part of the CSSA blog! I thought I would write about what I will be doing this summer and the changes in my life.
My husband, Ryan, and I just returned from serving in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. So, we are dealing with a lot of changes…like washing machines, Mexican food (I think I have eaten Mexican food about seven times since we got home!), Costco, always having internet service, no more long bus rides, etc. The list could go on forever!!! There is some culture shock, which we were warned about by former Peace Corps volunteers, but so far so good. As long as I don’t spend much time in a car or a mall, I am doing pretty well. We have been spending a lot of time with family and friends in California and I was just in my best friend’s wedding over the weekend…what a crazy thing to first come home to, but it was a great time!
In about a week we will be moving up to Corvallis and I am beyond ecstatic! I love the Northwest and riding my bike everywhere. I admit, I have never been to Corvallis, but from what I hear, I think I am going to love it and it will be a good transition from living in a town of about 1,000 people in Bolivia. The CSSA peeps seem really friendly and that is encouraging.
I am also excited to be working with New Student Programs and Family Outreach for my assistantship. With this assistantship I will be working with first-year students and their parents and organizing orientations, among other things. I have had a lot of experience with orientations, from being a student leader during welcome week while I was attending college, to being an orientation leader with the student exchange program, AFS. I was also on the Volunteer Advisory Committee in Peace Corps Bolivia where we welcome the new group of volunteers three times a year and help form policies. I plan to help out with an orientation at OSU this month to get the swing of things and go from there.
So, soon I will find a place to live in Corvallis and have all of my stuff (ahh, stuff!) in one place (right now it is in many different locations!!!) and get organized. I look forward to meeting everyone and hopefully see some of you this summer. How lucky I am to spend the summer in Oregon!