Sara Cate, PCT

After months and months (and months) of hedging around when people ask after my doings, I can finally say "I'm in the Peace Corps."  I'm not a Volunteer (the title every Trainee covets), but I'm still enormously proud of being a part of this amazing organization.  Staging in Atlanta, GA has been somewhat surreal, a condition aided by the anti-malarial medication we are now all on.  Yay!  Night terrors and visual disturbances!  Don't worry and don't inundate Washington with calls, I haven't experienced any such side effects.

In all seriousness, staging has allowed me to meet some of the people that I will be depending on for hugs and social connection the next couple of years (which doesn't let any of you off the hook, I am still expecting multitudes of letters).  They are a fantastic bunch—if a person is judged by their companions, I will be sure to get an A and a blue ribbon.  I just hope I can remember all their names!

Soon we will all scramble through airport security, a nine hour flight, and a five-hour bus ride to Mauritania, hopefully managing to catch the raggedy edges of sleep at some point before jumping into training.  I have never been farther away from the U.S. than Toronto, Canada, so this is an exciting time for me and for many.  Don't be afraid if I drop out of contact for a while—I expect to be very busy the next three months before swearing in—but if you want to keep in touch, letters are the most reliable way of doing so.  I'll definitely leave a note here when I am able, so check back at least once a month.  I miss you, friends and family.  Stay well!