Information overload

Here is a cool Buzzfeed article on 13 reasons to join the Peace Corps.

If you your wondering what I'm doing right now, well I'm learning how to survive without internet,  phones, toilets, AC!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peacecorps/13-reasons-to-join-peace-corps-nvuy

Until next time
JumpInTheJungle

information overload

So I said I would keep information rolling across the blog even when I was away from the internet.  So as promised...here is an amazing article I read that I thought you might find interesting!

This article talks about the differences and similarities between military service and Peace Corps service.

RPCV Veterans share their take on service.

http://passport.peacecorps.gov/2014/11/10/rpcv-veterans-share-their-take-on-service/

Until Next Time!
JumpInTheJungle

I'm Here

So a lot is going on inside my head right now, but every emotion just melted away as I sat on the airplane with a fellow trainee. He silenced all the emotions to one. How? Well he looked and me and said, "Jenny remember there's a reason why the rear view mirror is smaller then the windshield." At the moment all the emotions stopped and the only one remaining was pure joy! I shed my 1 tear not because I was sad, worried or stressed, but because I was HAPPY! I am heading into the future doing the one thing I love doing most. I get to dedicate this time to helping people.  My main job is HELPING people, I can't think of anything I love doing more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna miss family and friends BUT you guys know my heart is big enough to fit another group of people and maybe a nation or two :-)

I want to still be a part of your lives BUT you have to make that choice.  How? Well how about we step back in time together :-) I'll try my hardest to update you all collectively on here but this is a one way conversation. So if you want me to know what's going on in your life, you're gonna have to write me.  And I mean actual ink & paper.  Don't worry about trees, I'll plant a few over here :-)

I honestly am so excited and can't wait to see what life has in store for me. So will you join me in focusing on the future in front of you and using the past as a guide to review where you've been? You never know when one turn in that road could lead you to the best adventure of your life.

With all my love.

JumpInTheJungle

Information overload

This post was actually written sitting in the camper in Lake City as I try and wrap my head around the craziness that is quickly becoming my life. (I know what's new lol) Any way one of the other PCV ( Peace Corps Volunteer) posted on Facebook "7 lies you tell yourself before going into the Peace Corps" http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/7-lies-tell-going-peace-corps/

1. You’re going to save the world.

2. You will become fluent in a foreign language and use it forever and ever.

3. Everyone in your host country will love you.

4. All of your at home friendships and relationships will stay the same.

5. You will remain strong.

6. Everyone back home will care about your service.

7. You’ll be the same person when you get back.

Well I knew most of these BUT I really liked the explanations they gave in the article, go check it out, it might help you understand what I'm gonna be going through,
I sure wish I could sit down with each one of you and ask you, how are you? How is life? Do you know I care about you? (yes even you random person who found this blog off Google because that means your thinking about changing a part of your life or visiting Vanuatu. I encourage both!!) 

Until Next Time!
JumpInTheJungle

The silence is over :-)

So I know that weeks went by without a peep out of me. Well the reason is simple! I'm about to give up years with my family so I wanted to focus on THEM! Nothing but them. I felt like they deserved every second I had to spare. I was up with them all day, and packing, preparing,  & praying most nights.

So are you ready for all the Juciy info?!?

About 2 weeks ago we got our tentative assignment locations.  (Tentative because everything is always subject to change lol)

At this moment, after training I will be relocating to the village of Womul.  Womul doesn't have a lot of info about it on Google,  I plan on changing that :-)

Womul is located on Malakula island, also called the dog because of it's shape. Womul is at the nose of the dog up into the mountains.  (Super excited and scared about that). Womul just got their first water tank system due to the amazing work of RPCV Jasmine! So even though I won't have running water I won't have to get up and hike down to the river every morning to fetch a bucket of water. Thanks Jasmine :-)

Womul is very remote and this is both exciting and a challenge.  There are about 10 or so volunteers on the island but most are at the feet & back of the dog. According to Jasmine the hike in should take 150 min more of less (I think the 1st time will be more) my goal is over time to cut that time down significantly. 

Over the next few months I will provide you with information about Vanuatu,  Malakula,  and Womul.

For now all I know is that I'm sitting in the airport not sure if I wanna laugh or cry or run away. So many emotions, so much has gone into the next 48+ hours and yet they are just the beginning to an amazing adventure. 

Until next time
Jump-n-Jenny

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