May 20, 2004
I was all by myself...
I am going to be spending most of next week at a resort on the south side (the other side) of the island with the rest of my group. We have our Early Service/HILT conference. They (The PC) do this sometime between the first 3 and 6 months of service. Basically they get us all together (lucky for us, at a resort) and sit us down to evaluate how it is going, give us tips on what to do better and throw in some additional language classes.
I am really looking forward to next week. It should be the break I need. Especially since work is just crazy right now. I am vaguely concerned that I will get tired of being around people all week. Usually (not this week or last, but usually) I spend the bulk of the week alone, and reserve my social time for weekends. I just need a lot of time to myself. I fear that without it I may get testy and intolerant. It was for this very reason (not enough time to myself) that I found I got testy and intolerant during training. I love my group but I think that to much time together can kill just about any relationship. A week may be too much time. We shall see. Just in case, however I am going to attempt to spend the weekend on my own in order to be better prepared for all the social activity next week.
I have an exciting weekend of gardening, painting, cleaning and yoga planned. Woot! Look at me live the life… (Again I am laughing at myself there, what can I say I am my favorite subject to mock).
A peace corps conferance is another phrase for intelligence gathering by the staff. Just remember it's best to always lie about how things are going. Don't let em get any idea what you are doing, how you are interacting with your counterparts, or how you feel about living in country. Lie about everything. Drink as much beer as you can and always ask for more food at dinner. And finally try and always be out diving when they have the 'shrink' sessions.
The only worthwhile part of it is the extra language sessions. Make sure you make the 'Complicated Samoan Insults' one for sure.
Always nice to know what those smiling people you don't trust are really saying---and it sets 'em back on their heels if you can lay one on 'em. They can never look at you the same if you can drop sophisticated insult on 'em now and then.
Enjoy your holiday.