Happy Anniversary!

Today marks 3 months in country. Wow! some days it really feels like i've been here a lot longer and other days it feels like I just stepped off the plane. I thought I would use this email to share with you some of the lessons that I have learned so far that I know will carry me through the rest of my life. Hopefully, they may be beneficial to you as the new year approaches. Probably the most important lesson I have learned so far and the one I have learned most recently. As I stated in a previous email my friend Jenn was in a car accident. Well, she had to have surgery to have her spleen removed, a breathing tube put in because a few of her broken ribs pierced her lungs, and will have a long road to recovery ahead and most likely will prevent her from coming back to serve as a volunteer(but I still have hope and my own selfish reasons that she will have a speedy recovery so she can come back and join me in the warm heart of africa). I received an email from her father and was told that despite everything that happened she is still in good spirits and the doctors have told them she is smiling. She smiling because she is alive. As gruesome as this seems it was a reality check for myself. I have been afforded the opportunity to do something that many others are not, and even though some days are harder then others, i'm still breathing, i'm still doing what I want to do, and that in itself is something to smile about. I have settled with the idea that i'm going to allow myself to be sad, angry, etc..but at the end of the day i'm going to allow myself to smile as well because I made it through yet another day. I realize that it's ok to experience a range of emotions that's life, but I must never forget to count the blessings I have. Everyday here I have a constant reminder of the privledge I have as an American. Despite what the conditions are in the states at this present time, there are social support systems in place to help those that need it. Here there is not. Malawi is underdeveloped not because the people choose to be but because the people need to focus on survival before they can even think about focusing on development. Although people in the states have to focus on survival, there are places where meals can be given, and even though a meal may seem small that is one less thing you have to worry about for that moment. Never take advantage of all that you have because there is someone out there that has less then you. Trust me, I see it everyday.Patience is a virtue...so true! I have became use to waiting. Not so much because I want to, but because I have to. Things aren't quick here and sometimes you have to wait to get things done. I have met some pretty cool people while waiting. But there is also a story behind this is well. Natalie and I were going into Dwangwa, local larger market, to do some shopping. Well, instead of waiting on the 9am AXA bus we hop on the back of a matola. The only thing it was raining and Dwangwa is 30k. So, we're riding on the back of the matola(pick up truck) in the rain when we could have just waiting 30 more min for the bus. Our first thoughts are "I wonder how long it will be before we get sick for doing that?" When we finally got to Dwangwa we were drenched and looked like sad lost dogs. We headed over to a little restaurant for tea to warm up and wait out the rain. This was the first week at site and we were starving so we decided to order breakfast. While waiting the woman who took our orders saw that we were cold so she grabbed a chitenje and wrapped me in it and grapped a knit sweater for Natalie. The kindness of the people here is not something that you will find in the states...moving along to my next point.Being nice is not hard! A smile can go a long way and being pleasant doesn't hurt either. I can't count the amount times my mood has been lifted because of the kindness of a stranger. They know i'm not from here, they don't know why I came, they don't know long I will be here, but they are still nice to me. I'm an easy target at times as a person to take advantage of but people generally care. Just simply that, they care. It doesn't take much effort to care, it doesn't take much time, and really it makes you feel just as good. Living in poverty here is not like living in poverty in the states. But I realize of how little I can live off and how happy I can be. I have no electricity, no running water, no computer, no tv, but I still have moments of enjoyment just as I would have in the states. The moments of enjoyment are not coming from mindless objects but from people. No one can ever replace my family or friends back home, I have adjusted to the idea that I'm not here to make bestfriends, if I find a few good friends that's awesome, but the conversations that I have had with people both Peace Corps and non-Peace Corps have been more enjoying then some of the activities that require such luxuries as electricity. So I guess my point here is really take advantage of having conversation. Take the time to talk to people, your neighbor, co worker, a person in line. You may be surprised what you get from it. Plus, there's nothing like having solid relationships with those you love, so why not take advantage of having a conversation and spending time with them instead of watching tv. Last but certainly not least(i'm sure there will be more to come) never, ever, take advantage of having family and friends surrounding you. I have had little contact besides letters here and there with loved ones and it has been rough. But it has also made me grow in appreciation for those relationships. You never realize what you have until its gone, and technically you all aren't gone but it's a close to gone as I ever want to experience. I have been blessed in having a great, supportive, and loving family and group of friends. No one can ever replace you all, trust me I try to throw extra folks in the mix but the history is just not there. That history is what makes our relationships so unique. We all have interlocking stories that have created me into who I am now. I can never take or change that, but because of it I'm forever grateful. I know there are times where people just don't feel like being bothered, hell, I like having some me time every once in awhile, but after this experience so far I have realized how lucky I am to have such a good group of people surrounding me. And knowing and learning this will be something that I hope not to take for granted in the future. There are people out there with no one, or maybe just one, I have been lucky enough to have a plethora of people with all different experiences that I can learn from, instead of looking at a person and trying to figure out what their flaws are look at them and figure what gift they are giving to the world. Enjoy the people around you because of who they are, as an individual, and not who you expect them to be. I have been blessed and continue to be blessed to have all you. I'm looking forward to hearing all the stories you all will have in this upcoming new year.

Keepin it movin....

Greetings and timoneni from Lilongwe!!! I have been at site for about 2 1/2 weeks and taking a break to restock and to grab books to help prepare me for my school term. Since I didn't leave site for Christmas, i'm allowed to hang out in Lilongwe for the week, which is nice! I love my site, it's gorgeous, the people are friendly, and i'm looking forward to teaching english to all four forms(about 200 students) but coming to Lilongwe gives me a chance to refuel, get mail, check email, update this blog, and regain some sanity(haha). A lot of people believe that homestay is the hardest part of service....I may say that this is true in some cases. Homestay provides a big security net-meals provided, surrounded by Peace Corps training staff, and other volunteers. Although, it is difficult adjusting to life in a new country, homestay is comforting but tough. I don't think it's so tough it will make you reconsider the reasons why you decided to join the Peace Corps but I guess it's all in the attitude you take as well. Moving to site has been a lot harder then homestay. You have to prepare your own meals, you have to plan your own schedule, you no longer have the comforting, security net from homestay but the upside is you finally get to begin your service(The reason why I came). Being away from home for the holidays was a bit rough. This is not my first holiday away from home but the lack of communication and time difference makes it hard to have lengthy phonecalls, especially after being on village time. I'm not going to lie, I had some serious doubts about being able to complete service but everyone does. It comes with the territory, it's how you learn to cope and make most of your situation that really matters. I look around me, sure the village was here before me and will be here after me, but the simple interactons I have with children, the women or men of the village can't happen without me(or another volunteer). I didn't come to Malawi to tell folks how to live their lives, I came to help them figure out ways to make their lives easier. To help provide them with more choices then what they had before, even if it's just one more choice because that's one more then they had. I have already gained so much from my interaction that I feel what I have contributed thus far and plan to contribute in my next 2 years can't even compare. There are ups and downs to everything, but remembering the reason, the purpose, and all that you did to get this far, is a good enough reminder to keep it movin. I'm enjoying my time here in Malawi, I am getting to know some awesome folks both Peace Corps and non-Peace Corps. Anyways, if I think of more to write before I leave Lilongwe but until then- peace, love, and hugs from the warm heart of africa!

Pictures...

To access pictures from my time in Malawi thus far follow these steps:

go to: www.snapfish.com
login: courtneycwright@gmail.com
password: malawi

the album is entitled "Warm Heart of Africa"

Enjoy!



Heading off to site tomorrow and will be back in Lilongwe some time after the new year so expect a more detailed update then...

xoxo
Happy Holidays!
Court

Greetings from a new Peace Corps volunteer!

Whoa! What a ride these past two months have been! I'm am excited, anxious, and ready to get to site and begin my life as a volunteer. For the past two months, I have been in training to prepare myself for 2 years of service and I must say that training has made all the difference. From the language and technical training to homestay, I can't complain about anything. But then again it depends on your approach. I have taken a pretty relaxed, go with the flow attitude which has made everything easier. Some times I think people forget that we are living in one of the poorest countries in the world and that less than 7% of the population has electricity. Things happen, people are late, but really what do you have to do that is so pressing that you can't wait? I do nothing in a rush and really just try to take it moment by moment. Each day brings new surprises and new experiences that I appreciate more and more. I'm not going to lie, that first week in homestay I was questioning whether or not this is the right place for me. But, that has quickly changed as I have gotten to know more Malawians, formed closer relationships with a few people in my group, and of course chatting with the Peace Corps training staff helps. :)
Anyways, I will have time tomorrow to upload some pics and spill out more details.

xoxoxoxoxox

Almost there...

Just a quick update:

As of 12pm tomorrow, I will officially be a Peace Corps volunteer!!!
I plan on updating this with more information once I have some time in the next couple of days...

Love, Peace, and Laughter~
Court
CoCo
or Cornaley(my malawian name hahaha)

I'm in Africa!!

I made it safely to South Africa and will be heading to Malawi early tomorrow morning. I'm exhausted! But love it here:) I won't have email access for a couple months so please send letters!!! Love you all...
Peace and love,
Courtney


Courtney Wright, PCT
Peace Corps/Malawi
Box 208
Lilongwe, Malawi
Africa

mark letters with air mail and par avion

Ready...Set...GO!!

In less than 12 hours I will be on a plane heading for Philly where i'll be until I depart for S.Africa on Sunday. I'm ready, i'm at peace, and i'm hopeful that this experience will bring me a deeper appreciation for all aspects of life. Thank you again Bridgette for the wonderful going away party and thank you to all the people that came and made my last couple days in the states for 2.25 years a memorable one. I will carry your love and support with me as I continue on my journey.
I love you and will miss you all dearly(this is for ALL my friends near and far) and will see you later!

Please write!!!

(I'm not sure when i'll update this again, please keep me in your prayers and remember- NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!)


Mom-
Not sure when you'll read this but please know that you have instilled in me the confidence, common sense, motivation, determination, and love to make this happen. I will miss you the most but know that I will be seeing you sooner than later. Please take care of Mr.Carrot and Goopy(I will get them off your hands when I get back..haha), continue to do things that make you happy, and most of all please don't over-worry about me. I'm fully capable of handling this especially because I know I have the love and support of a mother like you. Couldn't have asked for more.
Love always,
Court

9 days...

I finished packing today! well pretty much...still have a few things to put in my suitcase but it's all ready to go. Tomorrow i'll be taking my cats to get groomed( a must if my mom will keep them...haha love you mom) and helping Bridgette get things ready for my going away party. I finally followed my mom's advice and took care of everything ahead of time so next week when it gets down to the wire, i'll be able to relax. The days seem to be going by faster with the anticipation of next Friday and my mind is still running in a million and one directions but atleast i'm a little more relaxed.

10 days and counting...

I just got home from spending the last couple of days in Portland with my twin brother Nick. I enjoyed myself but had the lingering thought that these will be the last moments we share together for a couple years. We won't be able to call and harrass eachother or provide support when needed. Although I have two other brothers that I love dearly, there is nothing like having a twin. We came in the world together and shared our worlds way before our grand entrance. We're more then just siblings, we're friends and saying goodbye was pretty hard. I was quite surprised that I didn't cry, I watched him from the escalator as he got back on the Max to head home and just told myself "2 years is not forever and he'll be o.k." I got a chance to see his life in Portland and feel comfortable knowing he has a security net of loving friends to keep him in line and provide the support he'll need. I'm getting pretty good at these goodbyes and I think I have cried once(he knows) but I just tell myself that it's time for me to live my life. This is something that I have wanted to do since I got to college, it's something I have researched and researched, and just as I was sure about other things in my life I couldn't have been more sure of this. This is where my heart is leading me and God is telling me to go. Many people have asked me would I be able to come home if I wanted to, of course. I'm not a prisoner, but every time I hear that question I think to myself"why would I come home?" I see this as a challenge and if you know me, you know that I don't back down from a challenge. Life has not always been the easiest and from the struggle comes triumph, I know that this experience just as the past ones, will shed a whole new light on how I view the world, the people around me, and what it is exactly I want out of life.
As I wrap up these next 10 days, I can't help but contemplate each moment when it happens. I think more deeply about how funny life can be at times, how in a year i'll be looking at the same moon but from a different perspective, how those that have brought me comfort and laughter will be thousands of miles away, and how I think too much about the moment and trying to appreciate it that i'm not actually in the moment and living it. As I challenge myself, I present a challenge to you. Many times in life we get caught up in the day to day life, going through the motions, but never really stop to think if this is making us happy. Do what makes you happy, if you're in relationship that makes you unhappy-leave, if you don't like your job-quit, don't like your living situation-move. Don't waste precious time in a preventable situation, don't sacrifice you're happiness for a possibility of future happiness. Enjoy happiness in the moment because there is no guarantee that there will be happiness in the future.

Restless...

I made it back to Chicago in record time Sunday evening. I was lovingly greeted by my awesome mommy and cute kitties :) I unpacked my car and wanted to show my mom all the great gifts I received from my job(I love them and provide such great inspiration for me!) and as I was telling her I wanted to show her something, her first guess was an engagement ring! Haha, not quite there yet, but one of the many creative tactics she uses to keep me here. She supports me wholeheartedly and I think she is secretly getting excited about buying me things for this trip(is it a trip? I think more like a short but kind of long term move)(it's kind of like a scanvenger hunt trying seek out all the things that will help me survive life in Africa). I'm her only daughter and we provide pretty good support for eachother, so I can understand where she is coming from. I know she knows deep down that I'm capable to taking care of myself and making good decisions, but is still afraid of the endless things that can happen to me an ocean away. I try not to think of those things because it will drive me nuts, plus I don't think about them here so why stress myself out? Anyways, I've been having a hard time sleeping or staying asleep at night. I'm anxious and excited and my mind runs in a million and one directions. I think of all the things I have to get and all the things I want to see, all the people I want to spend time with, and of course hanging out with my mom as much as possible. This weekend my mom and I are going to Kenosha to do some shopping, I think I have my list down to the things I need, but find myself adding on daily. Today I bought bug repellent, fogger to kill bugs in my house, a heavy duty poncho, a battery charger and extra battery for my camera. Yesterday I bought my luggage and backpack, a few books off Amazon, and a sarong skirt.Malawi is conservative and long skirts are a must but no one sells long skirts anymore! So I ordered one off of Amazon to see how it is, if it's good i'll be another one or two or three...I'm sure tomorrow i'll find something else to buy. I have about 3 weeks to get everything together, but for some reason it doesn't seem like a lot of time. Plus, i'm looking forward to spending 5 days in Portland,OR with my twin, so that narrows it down to about 2 1/2 weeks of gettings together. I don't know if i'll be able to handle being this excited and anxious for the next 3 weeks.

Heading home

Tomorrow I will be leaving Nashville to head back home to Chicago. All of this is a little bit surreal and I can't believe that in less than a month I will be heading out on a flight that will take me to a whole new world. Yesterday was my last day of work at The Campus for Human Development(a non-profit, rooted in faith that serves the homeless of Nashville) and a pretty sad one. Most people rejoice at the idea of having a last day and never having to turn back to a job that was mindless, boring, not challenging, etc... but I truly enjoyed my job. It's interesting place because it is impossible to be an employee and not feel like you're part of a family. We have celebrated milestones of obtaining housing, staying sober, or asking and seeking out the help for sobriety, we have bonded together during times of sorrow when we have lost a member to the streets or a relapse. There are times of frustration, anger, sadness, joy, and happiness, and through all those times, there is someone whether employee or participant(the term that is used to for the homeless we serve because they are active participants in the services provided) that is there to share it with you. It's hard to think about the participants that I have met and formed relationships with over the year will no longer be active parts in my life, I'm scared for what may come to them (life on the streets isn't easy) but I know there are people working at the Campus that will make sure their lives are a little bit easier, that they will experience love, hope, and redemption for each day is a new one and with each new one there is another chance to make change.

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. " -Matthew 17:20

Are you nervous?

Am I nervous? Hmmm... honestly not really nervous more anxious then anything. I have been waiting for this opportunity for what seems like forever, i'm excited to partake on this journey or next chapter in my life. As each day passes, I anticipate this upcoming experience, daydreaming about all the things I will do, learn, and the challenges I will overcome. My mind is running in a million and one directions and one of these days I will be able to focus enough to accomplish some things on my to-do list. I have 6.2 days left at work, 1.5 weeks in Nashville, about 3 weeks at home with my mom and friends, and even though I had since March to get things together, I didn't want to do anything too soon seeing as nothing is guaranteed until i'm on a plane heading to Africa.
As I slowly prepare for this 2 year adventure, I think about all the things that i'm actually prepared for and all the things that i'm sure will be a major challenge. I know i'm capable of teaching(Thank you Vandy/Peabody!), I know I have the capabilities to be empathetic towards those i'm around, I know that I will be able to accept the good with the bad and the people that come with both, I know I will be able to open my heart to those around me and care about them as if I known them forever(Thank you Mom), I know I will be able to practice patience and flexibility being ready for anything at any moment(Thank you Brandon, Chris, and Nick), I know that I will be able to be a good listener along with being able to open up and trust(Thank you Tabatha and Joe), I'm capable of believing there is still innocence in this crazy world(Thank you Briauna and Shaun), Capable of relying on support and providing it(Thank you friends).
I'm excited about this journey and more excited that I will have you(or maybe not) experiencing it with me.

Where in the world is Malawi?!

57 Days to go!!

Since many of you only heard of of Malawi because Madonna adopted a baby from there, here's some more information about the place i'll be calling home for the next 27 months.

Malawi is a small country, about the size of Indiana, in southeast Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north, and Mozambique to the east.

It has a sub-tropical rainy season(Nov.-May) and a dry season (May-Nov.)

It has an estimated population of 13,931,831 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected about 900,000 people are living with AIDS.

It is about 80% Christian, 13% Muslim, and 7% other

I will be living 8 hours ahead of CST.

Chichewa is the officially language, an spoken by about 58% of the population.

The GDP is $800 in comparison to $45,800 in the US. (Thanks Jeff, now I sound smart)

It is known as the "Warm Heart of Africa" for the happy and peaceful people.

If you have more specific questions feel free to ask!

Where i'll be when..

Just so you know..
I'm in Nashville until the end of August. My last day of work is the 29th, my friend is having a Labor Day/Farewell BBQ on the 30th and i'm driving back to Chicago the 1st. Spending the 10th til the 15th in Portland (with the twin) and back to Chicago until the 26th. I hope I get a chance to see everyone before I leave :)

2 months and counting...

My departure for Malawi is exactly 2 months from today. Do I feel like i'm prepared? Not at all. Although I know I am mentally ready for this challenge, I feel like since I have 2 months I have plenty of time to get everything ready but at the same time the past 4 months since I found out about my invite to Malawi have flown by. I've started purchasing things I need, slowly but surely paying off my debt, and patiently waiting for my last day of work, my move back to Chicago, and eventually my departure for Africa. To give you a better idea of the process that I went through to get here, here's a timeline of happenings from the first time I submitted my application.

Mar.2006-->submitted application to become PCV
Apr.2006--> Received a letter from the PC stating they were freezing my application because my intended departure date(6/2007) was over 9 months away.
Late September 2006--> resubmitted application
Oct.2006-->Interview with PC recruiter
Nov.2006-->offered a nomination to become a PCV, the rest is dependent on medical/legal/dental clearance
Dec.2006-->take the steps to get medical clearance; become legally cleared
June 2007--> Finish paperwork from optomotrist
July 2007--> Medical paperwork comes back; have to redo some blood work because the doc ordered the wrong test
Sept.2007-->Finish paperwork for dental clearance
Nov.2007-->update expired pap smear due to PC 1 year expiration policy
Dec.2007--> Medically/Dentally cleared
Mar.2008-->Received call from Placement officer wondering if I could speak any romance languages...only to find out the program I was nominated to in July was for a french-speaking western Africa country. Needless to say, I'm not heading that way.
Late Mar.2008--> Received invite to Malawi for Sept. 2008

Now i'm just waiting to get shipped out. Sometimes it takes longer for individuals and sometimes it's less, but it all depends on how quick you are about getting the things they need to them.

More will be posted soon...