I Swear

We have officially been sworn-in as actual Peace Corps Volunteers. After 10 weeks of training and holding up our right hands stating a quite stern (and frankly kind of intense) oath, we have morphed into genuine white doves. Thus far, our group, the 24^th group of volunteers in Romania since 1992, has maintained all individuals – no men down. Our ceremony was held in Bucharest at the US Ambassador’s residence, and was surprisingly, kind of a big deal. There was strangely a handful of press, please check out the following link to see an article about the event. http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/US_Policy/Press_Releases/Peace_Corps_04052008.html

Even Ethan Hawke’s mother came to wish me well. Her son wanted to come in person and express his gratitude/love for me but was caught on-site filming his new movie in Mozambique. FACT: That is entirely all falsified information. However, his mother was in fact in attendance. Mrs. Hawke previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania and currently now has her own NGO in Bucharest. Just another fun factoid for my friends.

During the ceremony, I realized this was the first important event, or even unimportant event for that matter, that my family has not attended. It did sadden me a bit to think how great of a family I have and if it was silly to be separated from them by choice. Perhaps, but at that very moment, I heard the ambassador say, “Well shit Sue, somebody’s gotta solve world peace.” Whether that was a figment of my imagination or the first truthful statement I’ve heard in the last 8 years, I accepted this as FACT #2, counted my lucky stars and was grateful my gazda family was able to make it to the ceremony.