The Struggle Between “Eating Hard” and Getting in Shape…

The midnight hour proves to be an excellent time to update my blog, considering the last few posts were written ’bout this time.

Last Monday I officially graduated from college! I now have my bachelor’s degree in Social Work and graduated Summa Cum Laude, boo-yah! Now, with no job, no classes and endless hours of time to enjoy America while I can, I find myself… well, doing a lot of nothing! And still I wonder where the day has gone.

These days my brain has been in a fog. Preparing to leave my home, family and friends for this new adventure, for a new home, is exhausting! I’m finding it hard to focus and with so much to do, I don’t feel like I’m making much progress. It feels very surreal, unbelievable really, that I, Ashleigh, will be moving to Southeast Africa, to Malawi. Wow.

But when I’m shopping at Sun & Ski Sports and Bass Pro Shop, looking at backpacks, tents, sleeping mats, and hiking boots, suddenly I have moments of, “Whoa… I’m really doing this!” This part of the journey is such a jumble of excitement and anxiousness, of butterflies in my stomach and optimism.

So… my blog title? Yes… many PCVs living in Malawi try to give us soon to be PCTs advice on our Facebook group. It’s pretty unanimous that they suggest eating lots of good American food while we can, or as one PCV in particular said, “Eat Hard.” Now, this is all good for most people, but for me it sucks. I WANT to eat hard and believe me, most days I do anyway. But with no job to keep me active, it’s a constant struggle to make myself get out and do things to stay and get in shape. My body does not handle “eating hard” well, and in my attempt to do so, I have gained TEN POUNDS!

Yuck… I am on a mission of sorts to not be a total out-of-shape-blubber-butt at PST, and I need to get my rear in gear! So yes, I am having a severe struggle with my desire to be in good shape before going to live in the bush, and “eating hard” while I still can.

*sigh*

I’m not sure there will ever be a conclusion to this dilemma, hopefully I will not die in the end. lol! I’m sure all will be well, now if I could only use my free time to go on long bike rides and walks. Yet, like I said before, the days slip by without a sound and I am left wondering what exactly I did all day.

Any who… Just wanted to post an update with my pre-service ridiculousness. I’m getting insanely excited for what Malawi holds for me. It has only gotten worse with talking to a RPCV from Mozambique who LOVED her experience and has been giving me advice and showing me pictures and helping me be more prepared emotionally for my experience. It has been awesome getting to know her and hear her story!   Now I think my RAS has mutated or developed into a whole new aliment… RIS. Restless Invitee Syndrome! I’m not sure which is worse, RAS or RIS? When it comes to PC, you just can’t win. hahaha

Well, tis all for now…

Next step: really get to work on a packing list!