A Most Peculiar Mademoiselle.

It occurred to me the other day that, had I lived in the 1800's, I would have been drawn to the west. I would have wanted to farm the plains, or join the gold rush, or in general just go places that people around me wouldn't normally go. When I was younger, I didn't play house or have tea parties... my playtimes usually consisted of pretending I was either an orphan (stowing away on a ship) or stranded in the woods (making myself "dinner" out of wild berries mashed up in pine needle baskets).

However, from what I hear, the adventure of using a latrine and sleeping under a mosquito net wears off fast. So I surely hope there's something deeper than a desire to lead an adventurous life propelling me towards this next step. And there is... but it's hard to put my finger on it. 

To put it simply: I don't think I can be satisfied if I don't go. I'm not content to be "here"...and never experience what it means to be "there". Not just as a tourist, but as a member of a different community. I want to take on a new culture, to allow it to rub off on me. I want to give myself the chance to develop in ways that would never be available to me if I didn't go. Because part of me does believe that no matter how small of an impact I may make on the grand scheme of things, I can still facilitate change. Call me disillusioned, call me unrealistic... but if I can teach one child one thing that somehow changes the course of a life... then it will all be worth it.

And that...is why I'm joining the Peace Corps.