I'm finally ready to begin my blogging experience. I've never kept a blog before, or any kind of journal really, but creating this really seemed to make sense for a number of reasons. First, when I was deciding whether Peace Corps was for me, blogs were my most valuable resource. They were an honest portrayal of the experience on a day-to-day basis, with both the hardships and the victories in equal measure. This way I can return the favor, and hopefully have as much of an impact on others as the blogs I read did on me. If you're interested, my favorite blog is by a former UVA student in Morocco. And second, it's a great way of letting all of my family and friends back home keep tabs on me while I'm away, and while I have potentially limited internet access.

Lots of people suggested names for this blog, and while I appreciated them all, I'm afraid that none really clicked, probably because they didn't have a deeper meaning for me. This blog is supposed to be a true reflection of myself, so the name had to be something that really meant something to me. If you don't know the Carbon Leaf song, What About Everything? listen to it, because it's great. It's related to why I want to do Peace Corps in the first place, so it really just felt right. Here are the lyrics so that you can see for yourself:

Holiday quiet on these streets, except for some stubborn leaves
That didn't fall with the fall, and now they clatter in vain
Holiday sky, midnight clear, wind is high, hard to steer
Old muffler rumbles like an old fighter plane
In search of some rest, in search of a break
From a life of tests where something's always at stake
Where something's always so far
What about my broken car?
What about my life so far?
What about my dream?
What about--

What about everything?
What about aeroplanes? And what about ships that drank the sea?
What about the moon and stars? What about soldier battle scars
And all the anger that they eat?
I am not in need.

Get away and come with me, come away with me and we'll see
If I was right on that night, that a future was made
Before time takes each year-- like a knife cuts it clear
It's school, then work and then life that just sharpens the blade
I think about time for fun, I think about time for play
Then I think about being done, with no resume
With no one left to blame
What about fortune and fame?
What about your love to obtain?
What about the ring?
What about--

What about everything?
What about aeroplanes? And what about ships that drank the sea?
What about the moon and stars? What about soldier battle scars
And all the anger that they eat?
I am not in need.

Holiday quiet on these streets, except for some reason me
The hometown harbor lights bright. The sailboats clatter in vain
Holiday sky, midnight clear, wind is high on this pier
I find it hard to complain when compared with what about--

What about everything?
What about aeroplanes? And what about ships that drank the sea?
What about the moon and stars? What about soldier battle scars
And all the anger that they eat?

What about aliens? What about you and me and
What about gold beneath the sea?
What about when buildings fall? What about that midnight phone call,
The one that wakes you from your peace?
Well, I am not in need.


Well, that's all for now.