Let the Journey Begin

Today as I am sitting here I can't stop thinking about how much my life is about to change - living in rural Costa Rica, speaking Spanish, eating rice and beans for all meals, and so much more! This is truly going to be the adventure of a lifetime. My biggest hurdle now is packing and preparing to leave. I have a packing list that is two pages long and everyday that passes I add more and more to it.
So, to answer the big question that everyone asks, "what made you want to join the Peace Corps?" This is a very difficult question to answer. There are so many reasons and emotions behind my wanting to join that it is difficult to capture the answer in words. But I will do my best. I have been flirting with the idea of joining the Peace Corps since I graduated high school, but never seriously until this past summer. I knew that a sedentary lifestyle and the 9-5 corporate world was not for me. My greatest passions in life include traveling, learning different cultures, going on great adventures and meeting amazing people. I want to make the most out of my life and fill it with incredible experiences. I feel so lucky to have all that I do and want to give back. So with some serious soul searching I started the application process in September of 2007. I was nominated by Oct. 07 and received my invitation on December 27, 2007. Talk about flying through the application process.
The next big question I get asked is "what will you be doing in Costa Rica?" This is taken directly from the "My Assignment" booklet given to me by the Peace Corps: "1. Organizational Development - creating and strengthening of local organizations, development committees and other community groups. 2. Increasing economic opportunities in the rural areas - especially oriented towards women's groups and rural youth. 3. Enhanced education - through enrichment activities with children, youth and adults. The primary purpose of the project is to promote local community development in poor, rural communities so the population is empowered to improve their lives and increase their opportunities."
I can't think of anything else I would rather do for the next 27 months of my life! If I could write the perfect job description it would be what I am going to be doing in Costa Rica.
-Sarah