Swearing in - Taking off

Yesterday I was sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer in a relatively formal (by Peace Corps standards) but relaxed ceremony. I listened to a speech by the ambassador, interestingly sympathetic, if not eccentric fellow. He told us some advise and stated how he dropped out of school to do volunteer work in Venezuela (I assume he went back) and coincidently studied in Jordan a few decades ago, even prior to his State Department career. We also heard speeches from the Minister of Social Development and the Governor of the Governorate of Irbid, where I have been living for the past two months. The 35 remaining trainings cum volunteers were sworn-in with the US government oath, so now yours truly is vested with the responsibility of protesting the U.S. from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

I am still sick, but tomorrow I am moving to al-Jafer into my home sweet home. Today I went to Safeway and bought some cleaning supplies, hot sauce, mustard and oregano, the essentials, which I will either need immediately or be hard pressed to find near my site (Safeway has yet to open a branch in al-Jafer). Anyway, that is all for now. Next post I will be living in my house and workin'!

Sick with a cold

Hello all,

I have now completed PST and am spending three nights at a hotel in Irbid. Tomorrow I will be sworn-in at a ceremony with the US Ambassador and other notable notables. I am anxious to move to my site, but all this is hampered by a cold I seem to have developed. Since Monday I have felt somewhat weak, but today it really became noticeable. But my sick state is further exacerbated by the fact that it is Ramadan now - so all the stores are closed during the day and it is difficult for me to find places to eat. But do not fear, tomorrow I will have a normal breakfast in the morning, so I should be fine if I can get enough sleep.