Chapter 2: The Preparation

The PCH roadtrip: Brixby Creek Bridge

As the date of my departure slowly approached and the pressure to pack kept piling, I felt less and less prepared to spend 27-months in a new country. I was constantly conflicted whether to spend the remaining two weeks staying at home and relaxing with my family or catching-up and saying my good-byes to my friends or organizing travel plans to places I've always dreamed of visiting. After scribbling-in important events and scratching-out unrealistic plans, I can happily say that I was able to pack everything into my schedule from wine tasting with my favorite grannies, drinking and singing my heart out with my childhood friends, celebrating birthdays and engagements with my high school friends, stuffing my face meal after meal with more friends and family, and even squeezing in a short trip up the beautiful coast of California. 

Then came the challenge......How in God's name did Peace Corps expect us to pack 2-years worth of luggage into two 50lbs check-in bags, a carry-on, and a personal purse/backpack? The remaining week before my departure, I restlessly scrambled to research and purchase the bare essentials that were going to be necessary for my survival in Belize. Luckily, after reading a multitude of volunteer blogs and posting endless questions in the Peace Corps Belize Facebook group (composed of former/current/incoming volunteers), I was able to compile a basic packing list that was derived from a master list created by thoughtful BH2 volunteers. I will generously include the packing list below so that future Peace Corps volunteers, who will most likely be in my shoes before their own departure, can reference it when the time comes.

The packing list includes (brace yourself, this list is quite extensive):

Luggage

- hiking pack

- day pack

- suitcase/dufflebag 

- fanny pack

- side purse

- dummy wallet

Clothes 

- nice clothes (for swearing-in ceremony)

- business casual outfits

- casual shirts/tanktops

- blouses

- skirts/pants

- workout clothes

- swim suit/clothes
- hats/headwear
- additional cute outfits for to use during your annual leave

Shoes

- sandals (teva/keen/chacos)

- bath slippers

- heels/nice shoes

- 2 flats/closed-toes shoes

- 2 running shoes

- rain galoshes  

Toiletries (get 3-months worth and buy everything else in-country)

- shampoo/conditioner

- face/body soap
- deodorant
- chapstick

- pads/tampons/diva cup

- floss, toothbrush/paste
- Kleenex
- sunscreen

- bugspray, TONS OF BUGSPRAY!!!

Technology/Miscellaneous

- waterproof watch
- rechargeable batteries
- flashlight/headlamp

- multi-tool

- laptop/tablet

- GoPro/waterproof camera

- Kindle

- speakers

- external hard drive

- sewing kit
- nail clippers

- french press

- duct tape

- stationery&pens

- entertainment (books/cards/games)

When we were given the two suitcases/duffle bags maximum, to say the least, I thought it would be impossible to make it work. I remember I had to constantly pack, weigh, repack and modify everything in order to perfectly allocate the weight of my baggage. Although I had to sacrifice and leave out about 1/4 of my original baggage (such as the French Press, waterproof camera, exquisite stationery, colorful markers, certain snacks and clothes), I managed to successfully force the remaining of my belongings into different compartments while sparing about half an hour to sneak in a short nap before heading out to the airport for staging in Miami. 

In any case, if anyone wants to send me a package whether it is filled with any of the items listed above or specific items that you think I will need that aren't listed or snacks/food that I won't have in country or even just a letter to update me on your life, please send it to this address below (until further notice, might change once we move to our permanent sites):

Attn: Grace Hwang

Peace Corps Office

6130 Iguana St. Ext.

Belmopan City, Belize

**Reminder: Send packages with US Postal Service via flat rate or weight. You will get overcharged if you use UPS or FedEx. Also, write "GOD IS WATCHING!" on the box. I will be looking forward to getting some mail!** 

PS. If any of you want letters from me, please please please email me your address!

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"All things are ready, if our minds be so." - William Shakespeare

"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation." - Rumi
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Chapter 1: The Waiting Game

Continuing Promise 2015: Division of Dental Services

I had initially contemplated on applying and departing as soon as I graduated from UCSD in 2013; however, instead I chose to withhold my application for a year or two in order to attain research and healthcare experience in preparation to be a competitive applicant for medical school. And so, after graduating, I became a lab manager under the supervision of a neurobiology professor from Stanford University who was a recent addition to the Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD. After extensive consideration and careful planning, I decided to apply a year later on June 2014 so that, in the case I were to be accepted, the date of my departure would be around June 2015, which would make the date of my Close-Of-Service at the end of Summer 2017, just in time to make it back to the States if I intend to complete a Masters Program. Here is a brief post-graduate timeline: 

(underlined dates are major events; bolded dates are related to the Peace Corps application process)

June 2013: graduated from UCSD

September 2013: began my first full-time employment as a lab manager/research assistant

Early June 2014: submitted my application under the old system

Late June 2014: in-person interview with a recruiter

Early July 2014: received a notification that the Peace Corps was implementing a drastic change to their application process 

**under the new system, you were allowed to directly apply for the country, sector, and position you preferred whereas under the old system, you served where you were told to serve** 

Late July 2014: nominated by the Regional Officer

October 2014: switched jobs; became a medical assistant at an Internal Medicine and Travel Immunization Clinic 

December 2015: applied to volunteer for the 6-months USNS Continuing Promise Humanitarian Mission

January 2015: received an invitation to be on the "waitlist" (know-by date was January 15)

Feb-March 2015: began my legal and medical clearance for both Peace Corps and CP Humanitarian Mission

April 2015: embarked the USNS Comfort 

Late May 2015: received an invitation from my Placement Officer to be serve for Peace Corps 

Early June 2015: disembarked the USNS Comfort (supposed to be till the end of September)

June 23rd, 2015: departed for staging; the start of a new chapter of my life in Belize

As shown above, in the month of March, I made a huge life decision to quit my medical assistant job, move all my belongings back to my parents house in Orange County, and participate in a 6-month humanitarian mission on the USNS Comfort as a dental technician/assistant. As a NGO student volunteer, I had the opportunity to embark on one of our nation's largest hospital ship and to work alongside professional military personnel who shared a common interest to provide free medical and dental care in eleven host nation countries across Latin and South America. Keep in mind, even though I was traveling the world, I was anxiously waiting for the final decision from Peace Corps that would determine the turn of events in my life. As the departure date for Belize was slowly approaching, I felt incredibly discouraged and continuously questioned whether I would be accepted. Coincidentally, our first mission site was located in Belize! (What are the odds right?) I was part of a team that camped for a week at a high school in Independence, Belize. Luckily, I had the pleasure of meeting current Peace Corps volunteers who stopped by the medical site to help translate the local languages. A shout out to the two volunteers, Sarah Schaffer and Justin Montrie, who were extremely supportive and rekindled my hope. I was able to continue the mission with optimism and a positive attitude. The USNS Comfort was on transit from Jamaica to Nicaragua when I received THE email from my placement officer stating that I was called off the waitlist. All I can say was: F-I-N-A-L-f*cking(excuse my language)-L-Y! It had been about a year since I had applied to become a Peace Corps volunteer and the wait was unbearable, I am sure anyone in this process can attest to that. Seriously, what sane person would wait a whole year and eagerly cling onto the slightest hope that he/she will be sent to an unknown, desolate country to deal with unimaginable hardships and undergo a complete lifestyle change? On the broad spectrum of emotions that consumed me, I was mostly disheartened to know that I was soon going to be leaving the ship, the mission, and the people I had grown a fond affection for on this deployment. 

In the end, I believe that everything happens for a reason; that something happens in that exact moment, with that exact person, at that exact place, in that exact way. In the present perspective, life may seem chaotic and disillusioned, but in retrospect, all the components seem to somehow connect in coherent perfection like pieces of a puzzle. It is neither accident nor coincidence; it is called fate. - Derived from Shantaram

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"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

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