The first of many ramblings...I hope :)

Ehem....testing..one, two, three...testing. Ok I think that's good. So this is my third attempt at blogging. I'm mainly doing this for those that want to know what I'm up to in Nepal, to which I'm happy to share! If anything, blogging will take up some of this never ending free time I keep hearing about from CPCV. Now, you are probably wondering what CPVC means...Current Peace Corps Volunteers.

Let me make an acronym list before I go any further.

PC - Peace Corps
PCV - Peace Corps Volunteer
RPCV - returned PCV
PCMI - Peace Corps Masters International graduate program
NMSU-PES - New Mexico State University department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
PST - Preservice Training (3 months in Nepal)
USAID - United States Agency for International Development
FTF - Feed the Future
KISAN - farmer in Nepali and Knowledge- based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition

 Ok that's enough for now. :)

As most of you know I was invited to Nepal to serve as a Food Security and Health PCV. Nepal is the 13th poorest country and the average family income is $1.50/ day. So yea, don't you feel terrible complaining about how little you make?! Just kidding, but kind of true. I hear poverty is the NUMBER 1 thing most CPCV struggle with because, like the average American, they grew up in a home with all four walls, a roof, and their own room; went to school and at least have a bachelors degree; and they never really experienced what actual starving feels like. So, yea, it's going to be quite the culture shock for the first 6 months. On the poverty topic, I'm most curious to know what things are truly a necessity and not just a want.

Now that we've gotten that uncomfortableness behind us, let's talk about something more..uh..pleasant...squat toilets!! or as I like to refer to them as squatty potties! HA! Just kidding again! I'll save that topic for when I get there. ;)

I have received much jargon from PC to help me prepare for my time in Nepal. So much that I can't seem to read it all AND complete my summer work efficiently. I have read what I think 'needs' to be read. For example, introduction to community life and PST life, which I hear the latter is the worst part. Apparently, you are watched over like hawks. So for any adult, younger and older alike, it can be..well..annoying. Also, your brain is on information overload due to the newness of the environment and language and cultural training. The language and cultural training is from 8-4 or 5, and I guess we have a curfew...I'm all like..WTF!? curfew? what it that? But, if it's for our safety, so be it.

 I will be arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal on September 7 and will stay with a host family temporarily. After PST, each volunteered is assigned a permanent host family. I have already filled out a preliminary questionnaire to help them (whoever them is) place me with a compatible family. Aaaaand...that is all I know. I have no idea where PST will take place or where my host community/ family are located. Seems scary, but I'm ok with it. I trust that PC will place me appropriately. FINGERS CROSSED!