Why the Peace Corps?

I’ve really always wanted to do the Peace Corps. It’s one of those things you talk about from time to time that goes in one ear and out the other of the person you mention it to, b/c they don’t think you’re that serious about it. Honestly, when I mentioned it, I wasn’t even sure how serious I was. I still don’t think it’s hit me yet of what I’m actually about to do. When it does hit me, I hope it’s a euphoric moment and not a “what the f#@% have I gotten myself into” moment. I’ll find out soon enough. All I know is I needed a change. Back in May of 2010 I was out of job, and I wasn’t even upset about it. It was actually a relief. I was free from Shawshank. You know the scene in Shawshank Redemption when Andy Dufresne escaped from prison and had his arms raised to sky looking up in the rain? That was me. Liberated. Also, me being a veteran of the corporate layoff game, I saved well this time so I could take my time and make sure the next opportunity was right. So, not only did Kunta Kinte have his freedom, he didn’t even lose his foot for it. I wanted to do something totally different this time, that wasn’t just about making money, but making a difference. Being a man of few responsibilities, I wanted to take on more. Don’t get me wrong, anyone who knows me, knows I enjoy the peace of mind and freedom I have, not having any children or a spouse. Growing up in a loud household w/ my parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, and a bunch of damn Rottweilers (which would periodically kill the sheep, goats, and chickens), me giving up peace and freedom is like Gandhi giving up his.  With that freedom, I feel like it would be a disservice not to use it to experience as much in life as possible. So that’s basically why. The experience. The experience of living in another country, learning another language, being a part of a different culture, and helping to preserve it. No time is better than the current.  That's it for now.  My next entry will be about the application process.  Which was more of a grind than I ever would have expected.
 

Introduction

What’s up folks! This is my first official blog entry. I’ve never blogged before, so I’ll be learning as I go. My name is Rashad Ghaffar and I’m currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina. As some of you may know I’ve joined the Peace Corps. I thought it would be a good idea to start a blog due to the fact that the living conditions of the country I’m going to be living in might limit my communication. This way whenever I get a chance, I can update everyone at once how everything is going. I’m not really going to write a lot about me, but what I experience more from a journalistic point of view. My life is boring enough living it, let alone talking about it. I’ll try to make entries interesting and brief. I’m quiet by nature vocally, but I can write for days, so I’ll have to catch myself when I’m getting long winded. I plan on getting a descent camera before I go, so I can upload as many pictures and videos as possible. That way if I lose a lot of weight, get 10 shades darker, and come back w/ a plate in my bottom lip, wearing a loin cloth; no one will be shocked after not seeing me for 2 years. I’m scheduled to leave for Ethiopia on October 3^rd. There really won’t be too much going on between now and then, so entries will be few and far between. I’ll do an entry on why I decided to do the Peace Corps, and another on all I went through during the application process, which lasted 10 months. Thanks for stopping by, and hopefully through this blog we can all make this journey together.