Meet and Greet in D.C.

(Pictured Here: Me with Rwanda's amb. to the U.S.)

I got into D.C. last night; registered at the hotel; checked-in with the Peace Corps; got a quick dinner with Rick; and then went to bed. Busy night!

Today I got to know the rest of the group. There are 34 of us (7 males, 27 females; 2 married couples; everyone is in their 20s or early 30s) and everyone is REALLY fun and interesting. This morning we had some preliminary training that outlined the policies and procedures of the Peace Corps, then we went to a "Meet and Greet" in the afternoon at Peace Corps HQ. Pictured here are photos of me at the event. I was able to snag pictures with the Director of the Peace Corps and the Rwandan ambassador to the U.S! The Peace Corps Director had some AWESOME stories and the Rwandan ambassador and his second in command had some GREAT advice. I was nervous to talk with them at first, but, in true Emmett fashion, I lightened the mood by telling a couple of jokes...it worked! Humor transcends cultures, I'm tellin' ya!

Tomorrow is the BIG day! In the morning we get tons of vaccinations. In the afternoon, however, we get to start traveling the world. The next entry I post should be full of pictures of Brussels, Kigali, and Butare. I cannot post many of them on this blog, BUT if you have stumbled onto this blog and want to see the pictures, then feel free to send me a facebook friend request...granted you have facebook. Facebook allows me to create better photo albums, so I am using that application. Soooo...check my facebook page soon!

Anyways, all is well; I'm really excited, but I miss you all. More to come...

Thank You

Thank you for coming out!

I know it was VERY cold (well below zero, I think) and my directions to the pub were...well...pretty poor, BUT for those of you that braved the weather and the labyrinth of stores and bars that is the Bolingbrook Promenade...THANK YOU! It meant a great deal to me that you came out to see me off.

Seriously, preparing for this trip has really shown me how blessed I am. I have a loving, supportive family and my network of friends is full of great men and women that challenge me to be a better person. I am truly rich. Thanks again, everyone, and God Bless!

Learning as I go

Okay, so I am learning as I go here. A member of the Peace Corps Rwanda team has graciously posted a list of blog/website regulations that I must abide by during my tour of service.

I can leave the flag of Rwanda up here, but some other stuff had to go. I'm not taking any chances on this, friends; I am sure you understand. Keep the questions coming and I'll do my best to answer them in future blog posts or through applications I add.

Taurus: Yearly Overview

As of today, it has been exactly one year since I was interviewed for the Peace Corps and was nominated for service in sub-Saharan Africa. This past year has provided great learning experiences, BUT I am sure 2008 will pale in comparison to the years I have ahead of me. Let's see what this next year has in store for me, shall we?

(Okay, so I'm NOT big into these things (horoscopes); HOWEVER, I cannot help but read them when they are advertised on yahoo's main page. As usual, it speaks in VERY general terms...but it sounds cool. I wanted to post this so at the end of 2009 I could revisit this entry and see how well yahoo's crystal ball was working...I added a few comments too...sorry if I spoil the entry by doing so, but I couldn't resist...this thing was too serious by itself...I had to rip into it a bit.)

Year 2009 Overview

It's time to celebrate yourself, Taurus (*muffled giggling*)! You are pouring yourself into your life's mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You're diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.

Taurus's excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world (*do hippies write these things or what?*). Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.

You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.

Year 2009 Career

You will be moving overseas this year. Any worry or anxiety you may feel will be overshadowed by your excitement. This new adventure will be filled with many perilous dangers. Have no fear! You will soon build the time machine you have always wanted, but, ironically, never had the time to build. You will then be able to travel to the year that the candy "Jujyfruits" was created and inappropriately rename them. This will not make you a millionaire, BUT preventing Skynet from becoming self-aware and taking over the world will! (*Okay, I made this paragraph up just now...who says I can't write for "The Onion"?!*)

(*I think Tony Robbins wrote this next paragraph*) You will discover new ways to regenerate your finances this year, as you let go of blocks and fears that are holding you back. Rethink your belief that you have to work hard for money (*note to self: if this is true, then punch dad in the face for lying to you for over 20 years*); as you evolve spiritually, you will find that this thinking no longer serves you. As you step into your creative flow, work and finances become much easier for you. You realize that you're able to manifest a dependable income when you just allow your talents to flow. As you learn to do what excites you, your enthusiasm will overflow and new opportunities will come your way. Trust that your ideas will tap into profitable avenues. When you stop placing restrictions on yourself, you will be able to move ahead and gain amazing benefits.

You enjoy giving outwardly and being in the public eye, and your life-long pursuit of developing your creative talents now has a new venue for manifestation (*note to self: research comedy clubs in Rwanda and begin booking your tour dates*). As you embrace your power, opportunities open up for public speaking, writing, performing and sharing visionary ideas with others. Through your work, you will most likely be helping people to achieve their own creative connection and a higher purpose in life. Your integrity and energy is shifting, and others are inspired by your wholeness and beauty.

The fruits of your work relationships will increase by leaps and bounds this year. Any endeavors you undertake will be very profitable, expansive and satisfying. As you open up to the creative avenues before you, you will earn bountifully, so surrender to the blissful adventure of walking down a satisfying career path! (*BOOYAKASHA!*)


Okay, I promise the next blog entry will deal more with Rwanda...I promise, I promise, I promise...maybe.

The Lists

I received my staging papers on Monday of this week. I fly into Washington D.C. at the end of the month. I spend a day and a half in D.C. completing MORE paperwork and getting MORE shots (Hurray!). Though I am NOT looking forward to the flight (I HATE flying) or the paperwork and the shots, I AM looking forward to meeting the "Peace Corps Rwanda" team.

Later that week, I take a seven hour flight from D.C. into Brussels. After a brief sparring session with Jean-Claude Van Damme (*Pictured Above: Van Damme accepts Emmett's challenge at a press conference*), I get on another flight (this one is eight hours) that departs from Brussels to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. I spend a couple of days in Kigali and then I drive about 2.5 hours Southwest to the city of Butare. Once at Butare, I begin my ten week pre-service training - six days a week, eight-ten hours each day. When I complete my training, then I am sworn in as a volunteer and I receive my official assignment.

Anywaaaaaaays...estimated total flight time for Emmett during the last week of January:
17 hours!

Can you believe it?! Grooooooooooooooss!

I wish I could tell you more, but that is really all I know right now. HOWEVER, I did finally get my packing list, so that is cool. In honor of receiving this coveted piece of paperwork, I would like to dedicate this blog entry entirely to lists...check this entry every so often because I will be adding to it as my journey continues!

What I have packed thus far and What I need to pack:

Yeah, I feel like packing isn't going to be all that bad. I can bring 80 lbs of gear, but I hear that I can buy most of what I need in Rwanda. Sooooooo...yeah, that is kinda what I plan on doing...we will see how that works out for me...anywaaaaaaaaays...

What I will miss (in no particular order of importance):

-Family and friends, of course
-All the service agencies, non profits, schools, churches, etc. I have worked with and all the awesome, hardworking people I have met working there...especially at the House

-Playing Game Cube with Trevor at the House

-Teaching Rikiesha magic tricks and jokes at the House

-Heart-to-heart discussions with dad, Kevin, Rick, and Rick

-Taking Lisa out to dinner
-My mother's cooking; especially her baking
-Playing tennis
-Eating the animals my dad and brothers kill on their hunting excursions...yeah, I'm not a big fan of guns, but the fork suits me just fine!
-Fishing
-Texting
-Going to mass with my family on Sundays
-Long, hot showers
-Playing bags
-Tailgating before Chicago White Sox games
-Speaking poor English
-Having four distinct seasons, especially the FALL (my favorite season ever)
-Driving!
-My car radio, which has been broken since like August...I blame Lisa only because she was there when it crapped out and it totally couldn't be MY fault...yeesh, thanks a ton, Lisa!
-Checking my email and FACEBOOK...hourly...and "You Tube" (granted I don't have much computer access)
-Playing Weezer's "Say It Ain't So" on "Rock Band" with the guys, then being accused by John of breaking his "Rock Band" instruments
-Playing "Rock Band" on the drums...then breaking them...ha!
-Wednesday night pub quiz at "The Auld Dubliner"
-Sending people mob wars invitations on facebook KNOWING they are not going to join my mob
-Tricking people into believing my wild, ridiculous stories and seeing how good I am at getting people to believe them...you know what I'm talking about...
-Annoying my friends by yelling out "flavor flaaaaaaaaaaave!" and/or "booyakasha" when I enter a room, win a game, or whenever the mood strikes me
-Getting my butt kicked in pool by Rick every Monday...I am soooooo glad we never put money on those games...and P.S. I KNOW you let me win those few times too! Be ready when I get back!
-Short jokes about me; especially those of Emily and Kevin ...J's are pretty funny too...ha!
-Telling people to "prove it" after they make a statement or claim about something...I have to thank J for getting me started on that one
(Example: Person: "I had the best cup of coffee today." Me (or J): "Prove it")
-Being on the same darts team with Johnny, destroying the competition for hours on end, and being total jerks about winning the entire night! Hahahaha! I want 1,000 points next game, Johnny!
-Movies at Hollywood Blvd.
-Watching The Three Stooges and Svengoolie with my youngest brother
-Getting early breakfasts with Jeff. Though I was late to half of them, they were awesome
-Playing video games with my brothers...we must have beaten all three "Halos" like one million times each by now
-Poker nights
-Coursework at The Second City on Thursday nights...and the improv show that follows

What I won't miss (in no particular order of importance; they all suck equally):

-The nickname "Butters"! Somehow I "earned" that name within the past 18 months. Ah applesauce, I hate that name!
-Chicago Winters
-Traffic
-Commercials
-Paying for gas, oil changes, my car loan, and pretty much any expense that is car related
-Working evenings and weekends, though I will probably have to do that in Rwanda too
-Spam (the meat and the junk email...again, if I have computer access, then all bets are off)

What I am looking forward to (again, in no order of importance):

-The change of scenery
-Wearing summer/spring clothing all the time
-Meeting new people
-The challenges that will come with the work I am doing
-Using my French
-Possibly getting a tan that will last all year...this may turn into a burn that will last all year...we'll see
-Catching and training my first butler monkey; there will be one at first, but he'll train others
-Writing letters home; receiving letters from home
-Getting MUCH more exercise
-Tasting new foods and drinks
-Trying my hand at photography and writing
-Haggling with store owners
-Telling people to "Prove it" in Kinyarwandan and French
-Learning about Rwandan humor and telling jokes in the native tongue
-Improving on my character flaws and strengthening my better attributes; being completely out of my element and observing my behavior, in general

What I am not looking forward to (you get it by now):

-Bug bites
-Sweating all the time; at least in the beginning
-The plane rides
-Getting sick...I'm sure my body will need to acclimate for the first couple weeks/months
-Missing everyone and their important life events


Meh, that's all I got for now...I am sure I missed a bunch of things on these lists...I will add to this entry as the weeks continue...Moreover, I promise my next entry will have more to do with the country of Rwanda too...and I will try not to make it into a history lesson, I promise.

Keep me posted and I'll do the same...more to come...

Q & A

Okay, so I have nothing really new to report yet, BUT there are a lot of really good questions being asked, so I want to take some time to answer them.

Have you done anything like this before?

Haha! No. I mean, I have been to Mexico twice for some R&R and I have done service work before, but nothing like this. The closest I have come to doing something like this was when I took service trips (two) to the Appalachian mountains to build/repair houses for low income families. However, those were only for a week at a time and the people I was serving spoke English. In short, I have never done service work in a foreign country.

What prompted you to join the Peace Corps?

Here is the story. Up until the summer of 2008, I had a great position at a Chicago-land area NPO (Non Profit Organization) located at the university from which I graduated. At this NPO I worked very closely with college students to create and develop community service experiences.

During my 18 months in that position, I found that the main obstacle that prevented some (Not all...Definitely not all!) individuals from participating in certain service experiences was because it was hard for them to get out of their comfort zones. (I am not putting these people down; getting out of your comfort zone is rough to do. I mean, if you have never been to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen before, your first experience can be a little scary; at the very least you may feel some level of uneasiness. That is a natural feeling when someone comes completely out, or at least to the edge, of their comfort zone.) At any rate, my favorite part of the position was recruiting people for these projects and encouraging them to push their comfort zones out farther and farther. If they kept pushing themselves, I knew they would open themselves to great experiences and deep levels of fulfillment; not just in the raw work that they would be doing, but in the friendships they would create.

I loved what I was doing and I was successful. HOWEVER, after working at this university-based NPO for about 12 months I began to I realize that I was not pushing MY comfort zones anymore. I was totally comfortable with every experience in which I was participating, which is good, BUT I began to feel like I had to take it to the next level, you know...so, I researched a couple of organizations and, ultimately, I applied for a tour of service in the United States Peace Corps.

Anyways, I worked at this university-based NPO through the 2007/2008 academic year and during the summer of 2008 the students with whom I had been working took over the projects we had created. I left the organization in July 2008 and since then I have been working part-time at an NPO that houses/supports the families of children that are receiving medical treatment at Chicago-land hospitals.

My NPO employment opportunities have definitely tested my comfort zones. I left myself open to the experiences these organizations offered me over the past three years (give or take) and, in doing so, I have made a great deal of friends; people with great minds, big hearts, true faith, and unwavering determination and hope. I assume my Peace Corps adventure will introduce me to people that are no different in that regard.

However, I feel the "complete immersion" experience offered by the Corps will provide the challenge I am desiring; an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and challenge my notions of poverty, healing, and true humanitarian aid. In short, I expect this experience to provide me the opportunity to practice everything I had been preaching to college students for the past like three years. Most importantly, I hope my experiences will inspire a few people to get out of their comfort zones and serve in their local communities, join fundraising boards for NPOs, and/or even consider a career path dedicated to social/civil service, NPO management, etc.
*Emmett nudges you with his elbow...yeah, you*

There are other reasons too. I want to travel and see the world, learn a new language or two, etc., etc. However, all other reasons are secondary to the main reason described above.

What has your timeline been like from when you completed your Peace Corps application until today?

As you read my answer, please keep in mind that in order to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, you must possess the virtues of patience, humor, and flexibility. Yes, humor and flexibility are virtues...I decided that just now. Also, be aware that once a person becomes nominated for service, it normally takes 9-12 months for a person to be placed. Alrighty, here is my timeline... in chronological order:

November 2007:
-Emmett completes and submits his very lengthy Peace Corps application
-Emmett schedules his interview with the Corps for January

January 2008:
-Emmett totally destroys the interview and is nominated AT the interview to serve in Sub-Saharan Africa starting in July 2008
-Emmett accepts the nomination on the spot

April 2008:
-Emmett completes medical examinations, tests, and other paperwork necessary for Peace Corps service

June 2008:
-Emmett receives notice that his service start date is no longer July 2008, but has been postponed until late 2008

August 2008:
-Emmett receives notice that his service start date will no longer be in late 2008, but has been postponed until early/mid 2009
-Emmett starts to doubt whether or not this is really going to happen
(I seriously had a lot of doubt...like I was running interviews and negotiating job offers up until like a week ago.)

October 2008:
-Emmett receives an invitation from the Corps to serve in Rwanda starting in January 2009
-Emmett accepts the invitation and most of his doubt is removed
(When I am in Africa, then I'll believe it is for reals; there is nothing stopping the Corps from delaying, postponing, or even canceling this project...it is not the Corps' fault at all; it all depends on the political climate of the country in which the work is being done...don't worry, if my tour of service is cut short at any time, then I have the option of going home OR being assigned to another country and project...again, political climate dictates much of this...its better to be safe than sorry and the Peace Corps is ALL about safety.)

November 2008:
-Emmett begins independent studies/training for Peace Corps service

January 2009:
-Emmett is suppose to ship out to Rwanda and begin formal Peace Corps training

Did you choose Rwanda? If so, why?

Hmmm...yes and no. During the application and interview stages of the process you can express country and work preferences, but nothing is guaranteed. I wanted to keep everything to chance, the gambler that I am, so I just told them to put me where they needed me and/or where they felt I would best perform.

During the spring of 2008 I went to a Peace Corps Meet & Greet at the Corps' Chicago HQ; the Director of the Peace Corps was the keynote speaker. During his presentation, he announced that the Corps will be re-entering Rwanda after 15 years. He was excited to get volunteers back to the small country and lay groundwork for some strong health-related projects; that excitement was catchy.

At the Meet & Greet, I had been a Peace Corps Nominee. (If I recall correctly, there are six stages to the Peace Corps life cycle: Applicant, Nominee, Invitee, Trainee, Volunteer, and Return Volunteer.) At any rate, at the Meet & Greet I had been a Nominee for a few months and was waiting for the Corps to figure out where to place me in Africa. Well, the day after the Meet & Greet I contacted my Peace Corps Placement Officer in D.C. and told him how excited I was to hear that Rwanda was making such great strides. Our conversation, much like this blog entry, was lengthy; I told him that, ultimately, I will go wherever the Corps sends me, BUT if there was an opening to be on the team re-entering Rwanda, that he should definitely be keeping me in mind....granted that the Corps felt that Rwanda was the place for me. Well, here I am...one month away from leaving for Rwanda.

What are you doing to prepare?

I am reading anything and everything about Rwanda and HIV/AIDS. I must confess that I am most interested in studying the French language. The Peace Corps sent me a modified application (French for beginners) of the Rosetta Stone. So, I have been chewing through that and I have been taking courses at the French cultural center in Chicago. I don't get into the bulk of my studies until February of 2009. From February-April 2009 I am a Peace Corps Trainee and I get into the real nuts and bolts of the work I'll be doing over the two years that follow. Soooooo, I'm kinda takin' it easy now because I know it will get hardcore starting in early February.

How can I help? How can I learn more?

Keep the Staff and Volunteers of Peace Corps Rwanda and, mostly, the people of Rwanda in your thoughts and prayers...seriously.

Check out our blogs. Also, a few of us are really cool and started a Facebook Group (Kevin is rolling his eyes as he is reading this, I know it!). The group is "Peace Corps Rwanda"...join it if you want to learn more and/or show your support. All are welcome.

Keep the questions coming, everyone! Email me, facebook me, or hit the comment link below!

The Blog is Back

Indeed...the blog is back! Yeah, I originally created a blog entitled "Emmett Valentine Reeb, III" (creative, I know) during the summer of 2008, BUT I had nothing compelling to write...so I took the original blog out of circulation.

HOWEVER, recent developments have changed all that. Specifically, in late October I received a call from my Peace Corps Placement Officer in Washington, D.C. informing me that my invitation/assignment was in the mail. Within a few days of that phone call, I received my invitation packet. Here is a summary of the material that was sent to me:

Country: Rwanda
Program: Health, HIV/AIDS, Organizational Capacity Development
Position Title: Community Health & Organizational Development
Orientation: January 2009
Pre-Service Training: January 2009 - April 2009
Dates of Service: April 2009-April 2011
Brief Program Description:
You will be part of the first group of volunteers to re-enter Rwanda after a 15 year absence... The country is currently peaceful and stable with a government that has a clear plan for development across many sectors, is responsive to development partners, and works to ensure that the work of the partners fits with the country's development goals...Peace Corps Rwanda's primary mandate is to assist communities, service providers and organizations in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS. You will be working towards this goal through developing the capacity and functions of health facilities and organizations providing services related to health, HIV/AIDS and development. Your role as a Volunteer will primarily be focused on capacity building and will take on different forms during your service: coach, facilitator, teacher, change agent, and trusted colleague.


Soooooooo...I finally have something to write about! I would have gotten to this blog a bit sooner, but I have been spending the last few weeks studying and spending time with family and friends. I am going to try VERY hard to keep this blog updated and interesting. I anticipate my entries to be frequent, descriptive, and hopefully full of pictures (and full of speeling and gramaticale mistakes...I apologize ahead of time); I know for sure that I will have picture albums posted on facebook, so check my facebook page routinely for updates as well.

A final note about this blog: I need your help in developing it! E-mail and/or facebook me any and all questions, comments, and concerns you have so I can make this as much of an interactive and fun experience as possible. Your questions are important because they will give me some direction in my blog entries...I tend to go off on tangents and if I am not focused, then I will talk and/or write on and on and on...like this one time I was talking to Kevin about this very same thing and...Ah! See! There I go again!


Okay, here are some good sample questions and some VERY brief sample answers:

What's next, Emmett?
Great question, reader. I have a few more weeks in the States, so I will be spending this time researching HIV/AIDS (the history of the disease, the medical terminology, etc.), studying up on Rwanda (history, culture, politics, etc.), and learning French. Honestly, though, the bulk of my time is going to be spent with friends and family.

Where will you be stationed in Rwanda?
I don't know for sure yet. I expect to receive my staging materials any day now. Staging materials are mailed to Peace Corps volunteers 3-6 weeks before their expected departure date. The materials in my staging kit will detail many things, including where I am staying and what to pack.

Why do you have to learn French?
I actually need to know three languages! The people of Rwanda speak Kinyarwandan (I know nothing about this language), English (I'm fluent...no problem there), and French (I know enough to impress and flirt with girls here in the States). Back to your question...Rwanda was originally a German occupied colony in 1899, but was soon taken over by Belgium. Rwanda and Belgium had decades worth of interaction. Belgians speak French. I'm sure you can connect the dots on this one.


Okay, so, you get it? I would like to start each blog entry with something I have found interesting, a brief update on my status, my thoughts and rants, etc., BUT I would like to close each entry with questions taken from YOU! With that said, what are your questions?