Tomorrow will formally mark the start of my VSO journey as a volunteer for the European Commission Project in Bayanzurkh District, UlaanBaatar Mongolia. Just a few days ago, I had packed my luggage with few winter clothes, my treasured Bible and Elisabeth Elliot books, packs of noodles, SPAM, pastillas and polvoron and a lot of OTC medications: Paracetamol, Diatabs and Imodium (emphasis given to my easily irritated and highly peristaltic digestive system).
Early this day, I went to VSO Bahaginan Office and got hold of my tickets for my flight on the 24th and had my pre-departure briefing with co-volunteer/ co-WRV Joemar, who is bound to Laos (PDR) tomorrow afternoon. We will be both traveling alone to our placements but fortunately for both us this isn't our first experience of traveling abroad.
While I was spaced out trying to listen to all the final instructions of my VPA from boarding passes to security issues, I thought:
Am I ready for Mongolia? Am I ready for this roller-coaster life journey?
I remember the conversation I had with Jasper last night when we were in Malate. He asked me what prompted me for all these changes and risks and if I am ready to leave everything behind. With no trace of hesitation, I told him: "Jas, do you remember how I was when I was still new in the ward, how I would excitedly tell you of my stories, bloopers and learning in the ward? I somehow missed that. I lost that part of me."And with a pat on my back, my best friend agreed with me.
Last December, I tendered my resignation in PGH sooner than planned. I was too busy juggling my Epidemiology and Biostatistics subjects and my night duties that I started to lose that magic awe in life. I was so tired and became numb and apathetic of the people around me, most especially to my patients. Honestly, I forgot how to respect life and death for that matter. I realized that that was the right moment to quit my job. And the funny thing was, the moment I submitted my resignation letter to my supervisor I was accepted as a Public Health Educator in Mongolia.
I have never known myself as brave. But recently, I observed I am committing the boldest decisions I have ever made in my life and as if I am putting myself into the hot mold to allow more opportunities to be tested and broken. Nothing can ever prepare me for this journey - not all the language lessons or the internet surfing, but I guess humility and openness will allow me to make the most out of my 16 months as a Mongolian expat.
