Swearing In

(Photo: Becky, Mark, James, Becca, and myself at the swearing-in ceremony, decked out in the capes we had custom-tailored for the event)

Swear in Date: December 2, 2005

I stood up, I raised my right hand, my cape billowed behind me, I repeated ater the words of the American Ambassador to Chad, and I said I do... swear to protect my country against all enemies... something about foreign and domestic interests... something about representing the United States of America... I'm actually not exactly sure what all I said that morning. My ears kind of rang as we said this heavy and official oath in the backyard of the Ambassador's oasis of a residence. I was becoming 'the real deal', dropping the 'T' (as in 't'rainee)and taking on a 'V' (as in 'v'olunteer). Letters, candy, and cash donations can now be mailed to 'Zach Center, PCV'.
Really what we were all doing, myself and 18 others, was saying that we were serious about doing this thing and we were ready to get started. Since I'm writing this entry three weeks later, with all the insights of a three-week old volunteer, I can say that my ears were ringing for good reason. Becoming a volunteer undoubtedly marks the most drastic change in 'path' that my life has ever taken. It's what I set out to do, and I'm unbelievably excited to get started, but I'm also scared and overwhelmed; 'summer-camp' is definitely over.

Your favorite pcV,
Zach