The common question I've been addressed with these past two months is, "What made you decide to join Peace Corps?" When I answer, "Because I want to," I receive a puzzled face in return. Soooo then I decide to actually tell the lucky person why. As a "military/government child", I had the privilege of traveling quite often. When I reached university studies, I decided to major in nursing, and was afforded more opportunities to travel. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) allowed me to traveled to Ghana, West Africa, where we studied their health care systems and the over all culture. My sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. held a school supply drive in order us to assemble backpacks to preset to schools in Ghana. The following summer, 2013, PVAMU provided the opportunity for me to go study in Xi'an, China. This was another opportunity for me to study health systems. From that point on I knew I wanted to focus on public and global health. Fortunately, I had a mentor that had served in Peace Corps.
I graduated December 2014 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, and like many of my classmates, I immediately began working in my field. The adjustment period was difficult. At 23, I found myself working in my field, begging to be trained equally and properly. I was "building" a relationship with a new found love. I had a host of friends and sisters that were right around the corner. Life was great! Overtime I continued to go to work for a boss that never failed to remind me that they didn't have to hire an African American female. I watched my parents go through transitions. I watched my relationship go up in smoke. I experienced life changing health battles. I felt as if I was watching my friends and sisters go on without noticing that I was quickly drowning. So at my lowest and in my solitude, I remembered what I have passion for. I remembered what I said I was going to do before I fell into the "graduate, work, relationship" cycle of life. I remembered that I have been created to do works that are greater than myself. So I did what I said I was going to do and I applied to Peace Corps. And even after that, their faces remain puzzled. *shrugs* It's not for everyone to understand.
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So, I'm sitting in my room, I can't say childhood room, because I never lived anywhere longer than 2 years as a child. However, the puzzle over my door that spells out my name always lets me know which room is mine when I come "home." Any who, that's besides that point, I'm sitting here like, " OH EM GEEEEEE TOMORROW THE SINGLE DIGIT COUNTDOWN BEGINS!!!" With 10 days remaining, the thoughts of, "What are you doing with your life Curtrelle?!" have started to set in deeply! What am I doing? In 10 days I will board a plane to a foreign land. Unaware of what my water, electricity, sewage, and of course, wifi (first world problems) situation will be like, I will take a huge leap. No, more than a leap, more like a double back flip off of a diving board into the beautiful country and culture of Rwanda. I am pretty much done laying out things to pack. I just have those annoying little things to get like tweezers, voltage converters, batteries, earplugs, etc. OH!! Khakis, I feel everyone needs a good pair of khakis! With 10 days to go, I went to Sam's club and purchased all of my favorite snacks to pack! With 10 days to go, I grilled on the deck with my mother. I facetimed my 80 year-old grandfather for the first time. I told my grandmother, "Stop crying!" I finally mixed pineapple juice with my Crown Apple and Sprite! With 10 days to go I have finally had the time to sit down and realize, there is no other way to go but forward.
Ok, so last Tuesday, April 26, I started my trek to my mother's home in North Carolina. I left Houston, with my the remainder of my life packed in my Ford Focus. The first stop was Little Rock, AR. Only about an eight hour drive from Houston. However, with my car packed to the crevasses it felt much longer. I mean seriously, I was just put-putting along. Good thing I wasn't in a hurry! In Little Rock, I spent time with family and friends, even getting to catch my little brother's baseball game. The simple things like catching a baseball game matter the most. My next stop was a 14 hour drive, Tampa, Florida. There's nothing better than pulling up to the smiling faces and hugs of family that are ready to feed you. My cousin, Dionne, won tickets for her and her best friend to attend Sun Fest 2016 in West Palm Beach and front row tickets to see Alabama Shakes in concert! However, when she knew I would be visiting and asked the contest holders if they could throw in a ticket for me...and they did!! Being able to spend that time with her was amazing!! Family, food, free musical festival = #Winning! Making the most of the few days in Florida, my next destination was North Carolina, only about a nine hour drive. Here is where I will stage my life for the next 27 months. Ok, no, I'll only stage for about 3-4 months. And in case you are wondering, yes, I did wait for my mother to come home to unpack my car.
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