Tag Archives: Peace Corps
Day Three
I am officially wrapping up Day 3 of 800 on my Peace Corps adventure. I am starting a new method of blogging. In this method, I write my updates in a word document…and upload them whenever the internet decides to work. Sound like a plan? Good. Anyway, this will be the first night since Saturday that I have been able to get a true full night’s sleep. I think I may just faint right now. Sleep sounds so glorious.
The flight and bus rides went smoothly. I converted my money over just a few hours ago at 8.17 Dirham per American dollar. To put that in perspective, we went to a café a little bit later. I got a pastry for 5 Dirham and my friend got a coffee for 5 Dirham. The exchange rate is going to heavily favor us. It’s kinda nice not to worry about buying little things like food. I can afford it. At least for now.
We have one week left in Rabat before we break apart into small language groups. This is going to be a crazy week full of meeting a bunch of people, getting a bunch of shots, learning basic Arabic, and survival skills. Emotionally I have been all over the place—from wondering why I decided to do this one moment to sitting back and relaxing the next. This week in Rabat will be a good way to test the waters.
Live from Philly
The plane ride went smoothly. When I got to Philadelphia International Airport, I met up with the four others from Colorado. We split a fun ride into the heart of Philly. I immediately dropped off my bags and went to orientation. Fives hours of orientations while hungry and tired…At least I got to meet a lot of new people. This has been a great start. Although I still feel like the anti-social one. That is kind of how I work though.
We leave the hotel at 9:00am tomorrow morning. We immediatly get on a bus for JFK airport. The 8 hour flight will bring us into Casablanca overnight. Then, it’s straight to Rabat–the capital of Morocco. It is going to be a long day of traveling. But all I know is: 1 Day Down. 799 to go.
30 Minutes until takeoff
I’m at Denver International Airport now. I’ve spent a good deal of the past week saying goodbyes. Now all I have left is the experience. My plane just started boarding. Got to go!
66 Hours Out
I have entered my last weekend in America. Come very early Monday morning (as in 3:30am), I will wake up at drive down to Denver International Airport with my parents. These final few hours in town are now a fun mixture of final preparations and goodbyes. I’ve already said goodbye to all my friends. I’m hoping to watch a couple movies with my parents this weekend. “The Impossible” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” Other than that, I am working my way through the final ten items on my to-do list. I hope to finish with time to spare so I can relax a little on Sunday and get to bed early.
I am going to continue uploading a mixture of old writing and new writing in the months to come. By the end of 2013, this website should be a good archieve of all my writing. For today, I have one of the first prose pieces I ever wrote. I was fourteen years old. I knew I was experiencing weird changes, but I still thought I was unique and–to be honest–superior. This piece is fascinating for me to read, but it’s tone is strange to me. Let me know what you think.
Pre Peace Corps Everyday Project
I started my Everyday Project shortly after seeing Noah Kalina’s six-year project–which exploded onto the scene in 2007. My video is now the approximate length of Noah’s original video (he has recently uploaded a 12.5 year project).
As any Everydayer would tell you, the projects means more and more with each passing year. Now, at six year, I can see myself through the end of high school, through all of college, and as I prepare to leave for the Peace Corps. I’ve gained weight. Lost it. Plenty of sunburns. Shaved my head. Moved. This project captures the intense speed of the world around you while simultaneously showing the slow aging process of humans.
Thank you to all of my readersand subscribers. If you are not already subscribed, make sure to. I get back from the Peace Corps in 27 months–which means the next Everyday Movie will be quite different. In the meantime, check out this Youtube site that organizes all the Everyday projects on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLABDA97DDEE8BFAAD&feature=mh_lolz
Seven Days Out
This is the first in a series I hope to start. I like the idea of vlogging simply because it is so personal. This one feels really rough. Bear with me as I learn how to make the videos better.
8 Days Out
The list of things to do until I leave for 27 months of Peace Corps duty is dwindling. I already accomplished four things this morning. This afternoon is full of shopping to finish off my packing list. I’m getting so close to being fully ready to leave for Morocco. Wish me luck. It still feels like I have so much more to do. At least that is helping me not focus on the stress of leaving so many people behind.
Today comes the final batch of poems from 2004. These are some of the best poems I wrote during my teenage years. I hope you enjoy. Make sure to read Darkened Eyes. My poetry finally stopped being sappy and became angry. It’s worth it.
The Culture of Rape
I hope you can excuse my week-long absence. After updating last, I got a text from my quasi-girlfriend in Houston, Texas. What followed was a bunch of running about. About 15 hours after the first text, I was on the road. I spent New Years with her. I got to meet her family. I got to meet her adopted grandfather. I got to decipher Spanish when the family talked to each other. It was a great way to spend the first few days of 2013 with her. Now, back in Colorado, I am preparing to leave for Morocco. Today is my Goodbye party. I also have only 20 items on my To-Do list. It will be a crazy week, but I should be ready in time.
Today’s update is important to me. I spent the past two or three weeks trying to perfect this article. After a long late-night discussion with one of my closest friends, I had to write it. The article revolves around rape and Slutwalk. I didn’t realize until recently how strongly I feel about this. The news out of India only makes me realize how severe the problem is. Still, my article is only focused on America because this is the only culture I have spent a significant amount of time in. I hope to get some feedback.
Thank you,
Richard
Haiku #4
The countdown begins
Slowly saying my goodbyes
I’ll miss you the most
Richard T. Reilly 