Almost there

The scene: me, 7:27AM, at the Hartsfield International Airport waiting for my flight to California. A lot has happened since the last time I updated my blog even though it has only been a week and a half. The staging event for Peace Corps is getting closer, and all I can say is that I am incredibly excited about leaving! Also, as a side note, I have decided after some consultation with Laura that the Republic of Georgia will now be referred to as ROG (pronounced rah-guh) instead of just Georgia. Since I currently live in Georgia (the state), and since I have also lived in Georgia (the state) all my life, everyone that I talk to gets confused when I tell them “I can’t WAIT to go to Georgia!” So—new rule—the Republic of Georgia will from now on be called ROG.

Ok, moving on. After I received my staging packet from the DC office, I finally called and confirmed my departure flight. My delta-obsessed friend, Gil, will be happy to know that I will be supporting his favorite company on my flight from Atlanta to DC. I will leave at 9:30AM and arrive in DC at 11:15AM, and I was told to either take a shuttle or taxi to the hotel where the staging event will be—exciting. When I called SATO (the government travel agency) to reserve my flight they sent me back the cost of the flight and the information in an email. I had no idea that a one-way flight would cost so much—$235.20!! I’m sorry, but talk about inefficiency. I could have found a one-way flight to DC—albeit on Airtran, formerly known as ValueJet, aka the Ritz of airlines—for probably less than half that cost. I was actually tempted to call them and ask if I could get them to pay me the difference if I was able to find a cheaper flight, but then I thought about how incredibly weird I would sound asking for money back on a flight I never paid for. Anyway, I wanted to originally get a flight leaving at 10:30AM because I would have loved the extra hour sleep, but the travel guy told me that I’d be arriving too late so I couldn't—boo. Check-in will be from 1-3PM, and from 3-7PM I believe we will be going through our introduction stuff. The next day will be spent on more introductory information, and then the third day we check out of the hotel and head back to the DC airport to leave for ROG. The trip apparently takes two days. That’s right—two days. (For those of you interested in visiting me, I would just like to point out that if you are taking time off of work you will need to set aside four days for traveling to and from ROG).

For the most part of the last week and a half I have been moving from my Athens apartment back to Marietta. After having a horrible allergy episode and hauling furniture up and down stairs with my massive biceps (do you have tickets to this GUN SHOW?!) I have started shopping for items on my tentative packing list. An interesting episode occurred yesterday while shopping for some basic goods (i.e. more undershirts, socks, etc.) at Target (pronounced Tar-jay because it’s just that much more high class than Wal-Mart). While I was there I saw that my favorite brand of deodorant was on sale and I decided to go overboard and buy about 10 sticks of deodorant. I should first mention that Lily pointed out that I shouldn't use deodorant because it causes Alzheimer’s. This may be true, but I feel that I would rather be free of B.O. rather than suffer Alzheimer’s later on in life. I am, as some would say, living in the now (or I like to think I am, it makes me sound so much cooler). Anyway, as I was checking out at the register the lady gave me a weird smirk and a glance as she scanned my 10 sticks of deodorant, and then commented “hot summer already?” I wanted to desperately flick her off and drop kick her for implying that I have a B.O. problem (which I do not), but instead I told her that “I swear I don't have a B.O. problem, I’m just going to the Peace Corps and I have to stock up on some of this stuff.” I felt so cool telling the punk behind the register that I was going to Peace Corps. Another thought hit me though—I need to stock up on everything that I like that won’t be available in ROG. My colonix, lactaid (O-M-G what if they only serve dairy products—I will die), face wash, sunscreen, face moisturizer, and other things will be out of reach if I don't stock up on them. My parents mentioned that they could always send me stuff, but who is to say that bandits won’t hijack the caravan carrying my stuff and steal my lactaid!? They, too, could be lactose intolerant! I don’t have many options though because my weight limit for my baggage will only be 100lbs (50lbs in each bag), and when it comes down to it I would rather have clothes than a years worth of my favorite brand of toothpaste (it’s Colgate total with whitening tooth paste—not gel). So many worries about packing and so little time.

I have a huge list of other stuff that I need to get. I’ll post that on here later on just to provide a glimpse into my lifestyle, and to also prove to many that I am not that high maintenance. I have decided that I will only bring cotton clothes to ROG though because I read that dry-cleaning is expensive and a pain to do there—bye bye silk underwear! jk. I also hope to get some of this shopping done while I am in California. Ok, I think it’s time to board my airplane—PEACE out.

List of important stuff to do:
-Learn Georgian alphabet (as in ROG alphabet, not a hick version of the English alphabet) and a few choice phrases like “point me to your toilet.”
-Get insurance for valuables I am bringing with me to ROG
-Finish buying/packing my PC stuff
-Assign my power of attorney (still don't really know what that means)
-Pay two months rent for my apartment in Athens
-Spend some quality time with family and friends

…this list is not organized by importance.

A Superhero Graduation

It is now 2:07am on Monday morning, and I just got back from picking up my roommate in a ER in Snellville, GA, then taking his mom to the airport, and finally driving both of us back to Athens--I am LE-TIRED! (Well, not really because I am writing this entry in my blog) So you are wondering what exactly happened in the past few days. To sum it up, a lot has happened, but I know that the point of having a blog is to explain in full detail the happenings of every minute detail of my very interesting superhero life. So here it is:

This past Saturday was the day of my undergraduate graduation at the University of Georgia, and I have to say that it was a lot more fun that I would have ever imagined a 3 hour ceremony in humid 90 degree weather could ever be. Glen's family all came into town, and they all cozied up into the apartment (our apartment is 2 bed/2 bath and when I mean cozied, I really do mean it in the sense that we are piled on top of each other--no, just kidding) and my immediate family came to my ceremony so it was a rare gathering of everyone, and therefore a very exciting event. The forecast for Saturday's high was 89 degrees--about the temperature of the 6th circle of hell--and it was also 100% humidity. Great, I love Georgia weather. It was hot, humid, and I got to wear a black cap/gown that would just be a magnet for anything that illuminated as bright as a firefly. Because of these weather forecasts I was in a little bit of panic, so before the graduation I talked to Sandra about my brilliant idea about how to avoid this intense heat and sunshine--cover my entire cap/gown with aluminum foil. I thought, surely aluminum will reflect all the sunshine away from me and make me into a human disco ball, but then it hit me that I cook things by covering them with aluminum--I was stuck in a conundrum! Ok, so I scrapped the idea of being a disco ball, but then I figured the next best thing would be for me to buy a little fan and bring it along so I could have some sort of breeze to keep me cool--brilliant. The picture shows the fan in action:


There were, however, other concerns. After talking to Sandra, Glen, and other people and trying to guesstimate how long the ceremony might be, and how it could possibly be both mindnumbingly boring AND hot, I decided to prepare a survival pack for the ceremony. I had everything set: ipod, uno cards, fan, book, sunglasses, eyedrops (to fake cry if I had to), among other things. The morning of graduation I packed them into my little workout backpack thinking that since the gown was big enough it would cover up nicely--I was wrong. I tried putting it on regularly, but then I looked like the japanese version of either the elephant-man or the hunchback of Notre Dame. Then the idea crossed my mind that it would surely look better if i wore the backpack on my front. As I did that and looked into the mirror to see if it was hidden any better, I realized that I looked like I had either partied too hard in college or was pregnant. Since for my graduation pictures I didnt want to look like either the former or latter, I scrapped the survival pack and just pocketed my ipod, wore my sunglasses, and carried my little fan with me. Despite all my concerns with how hot it was going to be, graduation ended up being a lot of fun. I saw lots of fun, embarrassing, and even interesting things. I saw one of my high school friends completely inebriated at the ceremony, I witnessed proof that people really never grow up (someone started throwing a beach ball during one of the speeches, and although that is funny, I was a little embarrassed for some reason), and I found out that light can be reflected--and myself momentarily blinded--from a bald man's head like a mirror. Other things that were cool might be that I got to sit with friends and celebrate my four years of debauchery while listening to a guy named Dink (yes, as in DINKy) give a speech about how we should contribute our future income to the university, introduce one of my favorite professors to my family, go to a kickin Fajita Rita graduation party, and spend some time with my family back at home eating a homecooked meal. Yes, graduation was a lot of fun, and I am so glad that my entire family got to come.

As far as graduation gifts are concerned they will all be exciting Peace Corps stuff like long underwear--HOORAY! jk. One of the best gifts that I got for graduation was from Sumiko, and I received it when I arrived back in Marietta on Saturday--it was BELLE (my doggie)! She brought her back all the way from California, and it was one of the best gifts EVER! A lot of other things happened during this weekend, but I think some things are better left personal so I'll leave you with yet another pictorial summary of my graduation day. (you can see all the pics from this weekend by clicking the link on the right titled "Superhero Pictures")

-Sumiko getting all pumped up to be at her first Superhero Graduation

-The entire family before the ceremony

-Sandra, Me, and Glen while we enjoy an inspirational speech by the now infamous Dink

-Glenda proves he is taller than me

-My favorite prof and I at the reception:

-Tak gives a thumbs up and shows that free reception food can be good

-Fajita Rita party--delicccccious!


Before ending this entry I just have to say that I finally got my staging packet from Peace Corps, and I will be leaving for sure on June 13! I am stoked about going, and I have to say that I am really nervous about the language more than anything. I havent even started learning the alphabet yet because I have been working on GRE stuff since the end of finals, so I will have to concentrate on that as soon as I'm done with the GRE's this Thursday. Woe is me, the studying will never end!

Days until Graduation: -1 days
Days until the GRE: 4 days
Days until California: 10 days
Days until Peace Corps: 21 days

ready-steady-party

Yesterday was the very last time I had to take a final in my undergraduate career--hazaa! The last final that I had was my econometrics final, and I hope that I kept my A in there. I learned lots of things in that class, mainly how to run mutlivariate linear regressions and how to analyze SAS data outputs on the models that we test/run, but also one more important thing: econometric professors sit on a throne of lies! Sandra and I were told that the final would be simple and to "not lose any sleep over it." In all fairness the tests are open note and book, but he pulled some stuff way out of left field. With one problem that I found especially difficult I decided to ask him what he meant by the problem (if anyone who has taken any test will know that asking a professor to clarify a question really means "how do I do this?"), and all he said was "think calculus." Jigga what?! Since we havent used calculus at all to solve any of these problems in this class it really threw me off and I am scared that I got that question wrong--oh well.

With all my finals finished, yesterday night meant only one thing--party! Sandra and I have been planning to go out on this night since early April, not only because our econometrics class would be over, but because the Krush Girls (local dj's) were doing a show at the 40 watt and it would be our last time to see them. The theme of the night would either be euro-glam (to commemorate our time in europe) or ghetto-fab (to celebrate our heroes Jay-z and Jlo). Seeing that we both have limited budgets and also lack some serious bling and street-cred, we decided to go a with euro-glam/style. The game plan was set: go to martini madness for $2.50 martinis before the show, and then go to the 40 watt on our A-game to dance the night away. I had been bugging Glen to come with us for weeks--even scratched out whatever was planned in his planner and wrote myself in--and I was really glad that he agreed to come along. Sandra brought along two of her friends who were really cool, and I think we all had a blast that night. At one point in the night at the 40 watt, I found myself dancing with Fran's mom (a middle-aged woman) and I had a delayed realization that I was getting way too close to a middle-aged woman and needed to back away. Other happenings include running into some high school people that I havent seen in years, trying to explain to the bartender that drinks were too expensive, rubbing a bald guy's head for good luck, and probably dancing like Elaine from Seinfeld. Here is a picture summary of what happened:

-Glen and I get ready to rock out

-Martini Madness...we'll miss your strong, cheap, and amazing drinks

-the night was still young

-and then something happened

-pimp? no, not quite. everyone was just drunk


I am happy to say that 4 martinis, 3 shots, and 2.5 hours of dancing later that I still managed to find my way home, brush my teeth, wash my face, and even listerined for a minute to kill any germs that the alcohol did not kill. It's strange. I feel both sad and relieved that these nights are over. Sad because I wont get to go out with friends like this for a while, if ever at all, because I think this kind of things is strictly college fun. Relieved because I dont want to be going out like this forever. Maybe it wont be my last time going out like this in Athens or with my friends, but I hope that I wont be partying like this when i'm 30. Although I dont feel like I have gone out nearly enough in Athens or in general, it's been a good 4 years. Athens, we hardly knew ye.

Work, PC BBQ, and the Coffee Shop

Today was a day of lasts for me. Last time studying for my finals, last trip to the coffee shop, last time seeing my PC recruiter, and other lasts too.

First, though, I have to rant about my amazing high-profile job. The student learning center (SLC) where I work right now is just packed with people. My co-worker told me today that last night when she was leaving the SLC it had 2,000 people inside of it! cuh-cuh-cuh-cuh-razzzy! (usually my side of the building might have 20 people, so multiply that by 4 floors and 2 wings each and that's only 160 people) Well, today was no exception and every computer on my side (4th floor east wing) was occupied. Up until now I have never really had to do any work, but today I was forced to haul huge boxes of paper, fix the printer numerous times, answer questions on how to use statistical software, give directions to people, kick people out of rooms, and do all sorts of dirty work. I know what you are thinking--"lazy Yuta." Well, let's be honest here for just a second. My cushiony desk job with an awesome view of the parking deck and dumpster (I know you are jealous of my awesome view) has never required me to get out of my seat and really do any work. I felt as if the apocalypse were near, but I was reassured when one of my co-workers told me that this traffic at the SLC was temporary. At any rate, this insanity will hopefully not last very long or the incentive to stay at my awesome $6/hour job will disappear and I'll be forced to quit--just kidding. Seriously though, I used to be able to sit at my desk and study for two hours or more without being disturbed, but now I have to help someone almost every 5 minutes!

Ok, so back to the "lasts" thing. After work I attended the Peace Corps send off BBQ where I thought I would meet other UGA students joining the Peace Corps. The atmosphere was very PC as I hoped. The first thing I was told when I got there was "vegetarian burgers on the left and real meat on the right." I love it. I was hoping the next thing I would be told is "if you dont like the tofu-sticks or can't finish the delicious gazpacho we can use it as fertilizer so pile it in the corner with the other compost." Sadly, no one said that to me. Anyway, I was really glad i went because the people were really cool and I got to talk to former volunteers who volunteered in the general area I was going to. I learned that despite being told that the weather would be very mediterranean it would, in fact, be freezing. Believe it or not, I am actually really excited about the possibilty of living in a house or working in an office without heating. I figure that it cant be all that bad, I mean, colder weather means more clothing and variety right? Well, I'll just worry about it when it happens I guess. The other great thing about this BBQ was that I got to say thanks and hi to my recruiter for the last time.



She has really been awesome through the entire application process which took forever, and I was really glad that I got to say thanks one more time in person before I left. Anyway, I think she was heading to costa rica for some more development work so that is awesome too.

The other "last" today was studying with my econ-buddy, and partner in crime, Sandra at our gathering place Fuel. Fuel originally was a laundromat in the slums of Athens, but was gutted and converted about halfway through fall semester into a tacky coffee house. The outside is painted in neon green that is so blinding you can only approach the building at night, and there is a really ugly mural illustrating nascar in all its manly glory on one of the walls (seriously, it's hideous). Anyway, this is one of the only coffee houses in Athens that is not crowded all the time and has free wireless internet, so it naturally became a spot where Sandra and I would gather to do our independent study and econometrics work. We have one of those love-hate relationships with this place. The barista is really nice, but the drinks are insanely expensive. The sofas are so plush, but the regular seats are like cinderblocks. You know, that kind of thing. Anyway, since I was there to study for my last final it was the last time I will ever go back there. I wanted to remember this place so I took a picture...cause it lasts longer.

-the barista is embarrassed to pose with us


So after sitting, reading, wishing it was all over and getting through some practice problems, Sandra and I said "adieu" to Fuel forever. Your tea and barista were nice, but man did your cinnamon rolls, cakes, and coffee suck.

We'll miss you.



Days until Graduation: 9 days
Days until the GRE: 14 days
Days until California: 20 days
Days until Peace Corps: 37 days

Surprise by chocolate

The month of April is near and dear to me. Not just because the weather is starting to get nicer or because I was born on the 8th, but because I have designated April to be "Yuta Appreciation Month." I know everyone is thinking "how old are you?", but what better way to add excitement than to make a month just for yourself? Jesus has December AND March/April, so I think we should all have one month out of the year that is our appreciation month. Anyway, when I came home from taking my independent final today (i think i got a B on it, which is good enough to get an A, but I definitely didnt do as well as I should have) there was a package waiting for me at my door. Anthrax you say? No, not quite. Instead it was the sunglasses I purchased online--a good surprise indeed! Afterwards I go and get my hair cut and when I come back my roomie Glen is sitting in front of a ginormous box on our coffee table (actually it's a chest disguised as a coffee table). Bigger box must mean WMD you say? No, not quite. To my suprise the box was taped with GODIVA tape, and out of curiosity I licked the tape while Glen was not looking. I secretly hoped that it was actually made out of chocolate or the very least would have a thin layer of chocolate flavoring--I licked in vain. When I tore open the box I first looked at the card--it was from Laura. The pictures tell the rest of the story:

-I got so excited I almost ate the box. Good thing glen stopped me.

-I have choco-vision.

-Godiva ecstasy.


All in all it was one of the best 2 minutes of my life, and a great excuse to not study for the GRE's and finals for a little bit to talk up how awesome my chocolate gift was. Although "Yuta Appreciation Month" has just passed, I think I'm going to designate the time between now and May 19th as "Encourage Yuta for Tests Days," and everyone is welcome to send me packages/gifts/cards/or personalized letters. Ok, I have to go back to studying for the GRE's.

Days until Graduation: 10 days
Days until the GRE: 15 days
Days until California: 21 days
Days until Peace Corps: 38 days

To Start

Hello hello,

For those of you who don't know, I will be volunteering for the Peace Corps in the Republic of Georgia doing NGO Development. This blog really wont only be about my peace corps adventures (i.e. preparing to leave for the pc, my time there, my problems there, etc.), but more or less it will be about my random thoughts and experiences that I will find relevant to look back on. So will my adventures be amazing? uh, yes. I'm going to be traveling to a former soviet bloc country where the language will be one of the hardest to learn in the world. Not only will I be learning the language and trying to work at the same time, but I will also be traveling to Turkey, Armenia, and other places. So the 27 months I'm going to be there will be good--actually, I think it'll be amazing. Am I a superhero? I'm almost there, but I'm still going through some training first. Ok, PEACE out.

Yuta