Another week of see you laters

Well this week is another week full of see you later moments. When leaving UT for the 1st time I actually let myself cry and well I have a feeling it's one of many nights I'm gonna ball my eye red (I'm to literal to say out lol)  This week my task is to clean out my office and get it ready for the next teacher..... eeeekkkk..... SIGH. I have dedicated so much time and energy into building a solid network for community classes here in Lake City that it's so hard to just walk away from it all BUT I know that I have to for me. Besides new people bring new ideas and each have their purpose in their time so I'm sure whoever comes after me will do exactly what they are here to do. I have just grown to love this place BECAUSE of the people in it AND I'm sure when I leave Vanuatu I will feel the exact same way.

Today at church I had a few people tell me there are enough people and kids for me to look after here I don't have to go... I signed and inside answered but I do, I'm glad you love me enough to want me to stay BUT I must go!

So go I did and I'm so glad I did!

Emotions of Change

So, I've been out on vacation for the past two weeks in Utah, and it's giving me time to think a lot about.... I've got to spend a lot of time hanging out with old friends as well as get to know new friends. It’s made me realize just how difficult this journey is going to be. While I am absolutely ecstatic about leaving for the Peace Corps I also want to be realistic with you all. I’m so going to miss my life here in the States!!! I know that much will change while I am gone and while I will be able to occasionally contact some friends and family, I know that will be a rare occasion (compared to the consistent availability of technology here). As I say “see you later” more and more it starts to really kick in that I really am saying “good bye” because when I return both they and I will have changed so very much. I am grateful for the changes that I know will be coming BUT I know that I will not be the only one to change. I think the hardest realization is that I know I won’t be there to comfort or celebrate with those whom I love so much. I can’t send my random SMILE texts, or swing by for babysitting breaks, or if I lose/gain someone in my family I will not be beside my mom’s side as she goes through those moments. (This is a decision I made, Peace Corps gives you leave, but I have decided that I will not return to America during my service because I think it would be too tempting to stay if I did). The main reason THIS is going to be hard is I’m such a mommies girl, even during our ups and downs I have ALWAYS spoken to my mom regularly, even while in Costa Rica, This is going to be hard for me BUT it’s gonna to be hardest on my Mother. She has always had to deal with my nomadic lifestyle and while she hasn't agreed with some of my choices she has ALWAYS been there with arms welcoming me home and has tried everything she can to make sure I have what I need. I am grateful to the Lord for letting her be my mother, I know I wouldn't be who I am today without her. I also know so many of my family and friends have shaped my life. To quote a song, “you are the wind beneath my wings”. I know I could not do all of the amazing things I am doing without such a supportive network of friends and family. SO THANK YOU for always supporting me even if you don’t always agree with me, I truly love you all so deeply and I am sorry I am going to miss out on so many parts of your lives, but it is time for me to soar and see just how far I can fly! But always remember no matter how far away I am we will always be under the same sky and I will always know where my safe harbors are.

For those thinking and preparing to join Peace Corps know that the journey is one of pure emotion and many times you will wonder what you are getting yourselves into, but remember where much is given much is required. You will never regret getting out of your comfort zone and giving a piece of your heart to others because in return they fill the very corners of your soul!  

SMILE you are LOVED!

Jump'n Jenny

Until Next Time!
JumpInTheJungle

Letting it ALL go!

So this is another LONG read but I promise make it to the end and you'll smile!

So lets talk about STUFF! I have a LOT of STUFF. And I have a lot of MONEY tied into stuff. However most of the stuff I need/want to bring with me I DON'T have so I'm spending a bit of money trying to get those things and yet i'm having a HARD time getting rid of the things I already have.

Now a side note i'm almost 30 and have lived independently for over a decade now and have lived lived in 4 states and did extended stays in 2 countries so this may not be an experience many of you will ever have. But along my travels I have gathered art work from around the world, and that takes up most of the storage at my dear mothers house. Therefor items like shoes, jewelry (they suggest not bringing those especially medal where I am going. The major things however are my kitchen items. Think big expensive things that I have worked YEARS to buy.
Kitchen Aid mixer (Masters Grad $), Vita Mix Blender (bonus at work), Calphalon pots and pans (bought one at a time at outlet malls and on sales with coupons), Hand painted bowls (A friend who knows my kitchen love), Antique serving-wear (A co-worker, these are over 80 years old, think FINE china), Bone China server-ware (bought in Costa Rica, I almost literally lost a finger over them as I lost circulation while going through customs with them), Not to mention ALL of my catering and chocolate decorating items!! (that's just the big stuff think about 10k worth of stuff, sad fact that may even be an understatement)

Any way ALL of the just to say that well I can't sale them. I just can't emotionally see letting someone buy my $150 pot for 20 bucks at a garage sale and them not appreciating the amount of effort that went into getting it.

So what should I do?!?!

Well I am a religious person and I believe in inspiration (ideas that come from a higher power), and as I was sitting in a meeting I got the clear impression. "I have given it to you, GIVE THEM AWAY. You can't take them to the grave, but you can bless others with them." And as soon as the idea came into my mind I was felt such a weight come off of me! I have been given much; through a great job which has blessed me with things I never dreamed I would have. So why not pass my good fortune onto others?!?

Now lets be honest there are somethings I will keep like the antique set, the kitchen aid (because my name is engraved on it), and like I said earlier my artifacts from around the world. BUT the rest of it can GO! A friend has the Vita mixer already and her kids now eat healthier and have a blast with it. She's a mom of 3 small ones, what better habits are they establishing. A friend is moving out into her own place and she will take some of the kitchen stuff. Another friend is getting my chocolate molds and will use a part of the profits to fund Peace Corps projects (yuppers). Another friend is going to come get ALL my holiday stuff and use them in her special needs classroom for her students.

I feel like I'm taking my heart and breaking it into a million pieces and handing it out to the world BUT in doing so I will live forever in the memories and hearts of those I am leaving behind. This is what I want my WHOLE life to be like.

Honestly I am so excited to think that I can take a small moment of my life and just share so much of my heart and soul with so many other people.

(update: So after dispersing things I was still hanging out with those friends and it brought me so much joy to see them using those items and to see them enjoying them with friends and family. I am so happy with the choice I made!!)

So here's to a heartfelt Hi from the amazingly crazy Jump'n Jenny
Until Next Time
JumpInTheJungle

A random thought (warning long and emotional)

So I am being completely real and raw on this blog. I want you too see the struggles the moments of doubt. Why because I want you to know your not alone!! I also want you too see the success for all they are, and if you never see the mental struggle you'll never understand the emotional joys. This blog is going to be open and honest which is hard!! But I want to be fair to you! I want you to know the struggles, I want you to feel what I feel because seeing what we do is only a small taste of what this experience is about!

And yes be for warned I LOVE !!!!!!! and CAPITAL LETTERS oh and :) :( hehehe and I don't like editing. Even though they will be simple mistakes I know if I go back and re-read them I am liable to take the emotions out, so I have to just type and submit or else you won't get the thoughts in my head. So please understand I'm not an English major and I have no concept of your, you're, there, their.
But I am a human who is learning and I want to share that with you!


Here's a post I wrote on Facebook today and felt like I should share this with you all as in truth it has a LOT to do with preparing for the Peace Corps!

SO who's ready for a DEEP thought?!? If not keep scrolling! (this is not a pity post so ABSOLUTELY NO your the best crap, It is a dialog of the human nature)

So it PT(personal training) day and like i posted last night I feel like my emotions are taking over my body, dang double X chromosomes, and well I have a trainer that is amazing at not letting me give a half ass attempt. And today I so tried for one because I was having an internal pity party. Which lead to a plank (that one I posted about a week ago that I almost cried over) See the think about planking is it is 85% mental 15% physical. Well needless to say I half ass'd it because I keep thinking i'm to fat, to weak, to BLAH BLAH BLAH. But as the trainer sat there with me crying and hyperventilating after saying a few choice words to him. He asked me a deep question. And I want to ask it to you.

Why do we put limitations on ourselves?!? Why do we say we can't before we try!?! Why have we put living a LONG life about LIVING life?!?

An example of this is a friend I miss most times I see a Toyota with a dent, or a waterfall, or anything else I could see them running to jump off of. (Jason) Well you see he LIVED, his life was short but man oh man was it FULL. But MOST of us are so afraid of failing that we never even start! WHY?!? Why are does it take Cancer for us to finally say sorry, or go do that one thing you always wanted to do!?!

At what point do we as humans allow fear to control us and lose faith in ourselves and our god?!?

Just a deep questions for you all? One I know I will be thinking about!

Again this isn't a it's ok jenny post this is a stop and think about YOUR life YOUR actions, your passion. I'm not saying quit your job and go try and hug a bear on the side of a mountain. But I am saying stop and think about how you talk to YOURSELF, I am so mean and crule to myself because i've let others shape who I am and the thing is I have some of the most supportive people in my life. A mother who let's me drop off the face of the planet every could of years to "find myself", a lot of friends who have always encouraged me to do more, keep smiling, A great church family who is ALWAYS there when I need them most! Not to mention a group of colleagues who cheer me on. I've had the nay sayers, but for each one of them I've had 3 times as many tell me I could if I focused, tried.

Any who this is probably the longest post in history BUT again PLEASE stop and think, who knows it might just change your life!!

I'm hoping and praying it does mine.

Lots of Love
The lone wanderer
JumpInTheJungle

Change can be hard and healthy

WOW so since this blog should reflect my journey I think it's important to share ALL of the journey!

This past two week has been an emotionally packed. I am currently a Family Consumer Sciences Agent for the University of Florida. I LOVE this job because of the type of people in are organization. Just like with the Peace Corps it brings a group of diverse people together and helps them build common goals and missions. Well Extension is an organization in the USA that has been doing research based education and out reach for over 100 years now. The people who work in this organization don't come close to what they would make in the private sector, BUT they are a group of humans who mainly care about helping those whom they work with, both clientele and co-workers. Now yes I know there are always exceptions to any statement like that BUT as a whole I would put any of our agents up against some of the greatest leaders in the world because they focus on how can I help change someones life for the better.

With that being said we meet once a year to showcase the work that is going on around the state of Florida and at this meeting I go to share a few laugh and tears with some of these amazing people. Many where beyond excited about the adventure ahead of me. Many asked me if I was sure about this. Almost ALL of them asked "Where is Vanuatu?" and as things would have it there was a world map that I could show them on!! Some even fussed about my going and said that they truly hope that I return to the University because they loved working with me. (Don't worry I think it was the wine talking, Just Kidding Kinda :) Maybe)

Well Friday came quickly and there I was saying good bye to some of the most amazing people I have ever worked with, and I felt a little voice inside my head say, are you crazy?!?! The thought happened as I was walking back to my car, and I meet up with a faculty member who works on campus and we were talking and we were talking about my choice and they said I am excited to follow your experience and we are here if you need anything. And BAM it hit me like a lightning bolt the only reason I can even THINK about doing what I am doing is because I KNOW that I have an amazing group of professionals there to help me!! UF IFAS has made such a change in my life not only professionally but personally. I will forever and always be grateful to be a part of the Gator Nation!!

(Due to space and time this maybe a 3 part blog post, and well what better spot to end than here for now!)

Until Next Time!
JumpInTheJungle

Understanding Vanuatu! (or at least trying to) part1

According to Wikipedia there are 6 provinces in Vanuatu. The trade language is Bislama though there are over 100 languages spoken. Total land mass is 12,189 with the population being recorded in 2009 census being 234.023. The population could be grossly wrong due to the tracking methods of births and deaths.

See chart below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Vanuatu

According to a volunteer currently health volunteers serve in the following provinces, Tafea, Shefa, Penama, and Malampa (don't quote me on this one)











http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Vanuatu

Now to just try and wrap my mind around where the people of G26 are located.
FYI Peace Corps Volunteers are organized into invited groups. My Group is G27. Since the normal service is 27months G26 volunteers will be about half way through their service upon our arrival. They will actually take part in training us upon our arrival.

Well I will share more as I know more.

Peace Corps Time Line

1^st meeting with recruiter- March 19, 2014

Application completed- March 27, 2014

Interview by phone- April 3, 2014

Nomination- April 3, 2014 Health Sector

Medical and Legal pre-clearance- April 16, 2014

Invitation- August 7, 2014

Final medical and legal clearance- August 3, 2014

Departure date January 23^rd 2015