#1 Item to Bring to Botswana…Me, Myself, and I

Joining the Peace Corps is a dream come true, so it is very important that I bring along me, myself, and I. Adapting to a new culture and learning a new language will be tough, but by bringing my genuine personality I am removing the difficulty of being someone that I am not. My expectation is to be no one, but myself (under the context of the culture). I understand that I am coming to a new culture, and I will need to observe, adapt, and learn. This experience will provide me the opportunity to grow as a person, and to push myself. It will question many parts of my personality, identity, and values, but I know this will make me a stronger and better person.

I am ready.

Update 09.15.2011: After a 16 hour plan ride, I am happy to say I have arrived safely in Botswana with my fellow trainees.

Botswana Top 5 Items to Pack #2

Strength & Perverseness

 As a future volunteer you are constantly reminded that your work may go unnoticed or the fruits of your labor may not always be seen during your tenure. This is understandable, think about the Women's Rights Movement or the Civil Rights Movement. The ability to change or positively impact a group of people doesn't happen over night. And once you have a majority of the people on your side, there will still be some hills to climb. For example, women are still not always being paid equal to their male counterparts, and racial profiling and police brutality is still alive and well. With this knowledge, I have decided to pack a lot of strength and perseverance. I am a highly motivated individual, but I know there will be days where I will not want to get out of bed. While I pray this is few and far between, I am aware it will happen. That's when I will open up a can of strength and perseverance.

  Whatever it may come from, where ever it may come from, it will be that reality check that makes me aware that all I can be is my best, this has been my dream since I was young, and that sometimes its helping one person that can mean so much more.

Botswana Top 5 Items to Pack #3

Item #3: Humor(Laughter and Jokes)


   I am aware that by accepting my invitation to Botswana I will have the opportunity to learn a new culture, language, tradition, history, and experience AWESOME Adventures. While I will make sure to be open minded and not to bring any assumptions (Item #5), I will be bringing my sense of humor and sometimes lame jokes. As ridiculous as things may seem in my eyes, I will learn to laugh and be in the moment. The Peace Corps is a wonderful opportunity, and I personally think humor will be key for me to assist in helping me with stressful situations. Smiling, laughter, and jokes is a great way to connect with people. Whether its sharing past memories that make a person laugh, to moments I may find myself, humor will definitely be key.


-Finda
ictpc.blogspot.com

Selecting a Laptop and External Hard Drive to bring to the Peace Corps

Having a computing background, I have become the automatic technical support to family and friends. This is a blessing and a curse. This helpful guide has been created in order to assist current and future volunteers who are considering purchasing a new laptop or external hard drive.


Helpful General Advice:
While I have my own biases on electronics, I would recommend bringing a device that you are comfortable using. Make sure to test out the product prior to packing it away. It may be necessary to go to your local electronics store to check out their products, and compare their prices with online companies in or to guarantee that your getting the best price. 


Assessing your needs:
Before looking at the various products that are available, you should do a basic assessment concerning your needs and the environment you will be encountering. Ask yourself these questions to get a general idea of what you should be looking for in products.


Laptops 

• What will be your main purpose for your computer?
• Besides the main purpose you are getting the computer, what else will you be using the computer for?
• Will you be carrying your computer around?
• How long do you think you will be using the computer?
• Will you be encountering any extreme temperatures?
• Do you have an preference in color, size, or company?
• Will anyone else be using your computer? If so, please answer the questions concerning the second person?
• Do you have any weight restrictions for the product?
• Do you drop items easily?

External Hard Drive

• What will you be storing on the hard drive?
• What are the top 3 things you will be storing on your hard drive?
• Will you be traveling with your hard drive?
• What other items will you most likely be bringing when you travel with your hard drive?
• Will you have a consistent source of electricity when using your hard drive?
• Will you be encountering any extreme temperatures?
• Do you have any weight restrictions for the product?
• Do you drop items easily?

Based on the questions above you should get a good idea of how much space you will need, your ideal battery life for the electronic, the size, color, etc.

Selecting a Brand to buy:

In terms of brands, I would suggest pick a brand your familiar with, ask around, or research. In the end you want a product that you feel comfortable with and are able to use.

Additional Items to Consider:

In addition to considering a laptop and/or an external hard drive, consider buying a computer lock, computer case, a computer bag, an additional battery, a laptop fan, etc. Accessories may save you in terms on ensuring that your electronic device is secure and long lasting. 

Most importantly, inhale and exhale, selecting a laptop and a external hard drive is really not that bad.

Useful Links:

I have listed below some sites that have great deals: 

http://www.hot-deals.org/

http://www.newegg.com/

http://www.bestbuy.com/

-Finda

ictpc.blogspot.com

Botswana Top 5 Items to Pack #4

Item #4: A reminder to focus on the people

This idea/item was instilled upon my heart by my friend's father. While there may be many things going on concerning the politics of a country, it is important that I remain steadfast and focus on the people. I joined the Peace Corps because I am a humanitarian and I enjoy helping other people. This can be easily forgotten while I am away as it is a known fact that volunteering for 2 years will be an interesting challenge. No wonder a tagline you often hear associated with Peace Corps is "The Hardest Job You'll Ever Love."  It is important to have a base or idea that I can look to in order to be reminded of why I originally joined the Peace Corps. This will be helpful when I need motivation or courage to overcome a challenge. That reminder will be that very advice I was given, which is to focus on the people.

-Finda

Botswana Top 5 Items to Pack #5

As I prepare for my journey to Botswana, I have discovered five important items that will be necessary for me to pack. Each of these items will come in handy when working with other people, but most importantly, these items will be a consistent reminder of why I have always wanted to do Peace Corps.

Item #5: No Assumptions

When I think of my time in Botswana, my mind draws a blank. After being differed from the Peace Corps, my dream of serving was slowly dwindling. However, due to my strong resilience I finished out my deferral and reactivated my application. Being selected for Botswana has been a blessing, and as I research about the culture and learn about the language, I have promised myself to not bring any assumptions. That means no assumptions of the people, my project, or anything of that nature. These next two years will be an adventure for me, and as I live each moment the blank I currently have in my mind will be filled with sweet memories.

tlhôla sentle

-Finda