Best of luck, my friends.

One of my dearest buddies from the Corps-Reid, and his beloved wife, Brooke are leaving the States today for their peace corps assignment to Swaziland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaziland) . Technically, they are not out of the states until the 22nd, but they are heading over to DC to start their initial training and then head over to Africa tomorrow. I called him this morning just want to wish him a safe journey, and I could tell from their tone of voices that they are very anxious about this trip. I completely understand their feelings, going to a completely different country, don't know what's really waiting for them. At least they have each other for support. I had my parents with me when I first came to the States, but I still vividly remember that on the plane from L.A. to Houston, I think I had what you called today a "nervous breakdown". back then I didn't know better, and I was just scared what's coming into my way, thinking about going into a completely new environment with no English knowledge, worrying how will I do in classes...Dad comforted me back then. Now, I am a grow-up adult (that's still a scary word...), I will have to face the challenges myself.

Anyway, today's topic is Reid and Brooke. They are a very important part of my life now. I have known Reid since my fish year, and for the past 6 years (5 years undergrad and 1 year in Vet school), he has always been there for support. We hardly had any arguments, but that's because we are always brutal on each other...comment wise, so we take it out right there, in front of us. and he is always a manipulator (not in a bad way, but he is very manipulative, and can always find ways to get out of the guilt), a crowd clown, what I called "eye-ball attractor"...or what my buddies called "attention wh**e". He can come up with some crazy wild ideas and it's amazing over the years, I developed immunity towards him and all I can answer is a head shake and let him have his way around He had the same major as I did, BIMS, and so we went to class together our junior and senior year a lot. I used to remember that we would always run in our senior boots to try to catch the 7:10a bus from main campus to west campus...and I vividly remembered that Reid would always out run me (dah...) and turn around and comment about his move and that's how it stuck into my head...

Brooke was also in my unit, she is a year younger than me. I would say Brooke is the perfect fit for Reid. Reid is like a big kid who never grow up, he would have all these bizzar random thought and will put them into actions (ie: go into the tunnels on campus and try to find the secrete path; swimming in all the ponds/pools on campus; start a Nuke run tradition with the corps runners, go to bed at 4am when he has a marathon at 7am, and was late for the starting for 10 min, go on a diet with just Honey and peanut butter, and later on finds out it's scientifically prove to be healthy...the list goes on). Brooke are more rational, and Reid would only listen to Brooke. Brooke is also more mature and I like to talk to her because she is always encouraging, and positive, and will always be on my side no matter what. She has the " magic touch " that will calm me down, Reid does NOT have that ability on me.

Today, they are leaving from Dallas to D.C. and receive their official peace corps introduction workshop over night, then head over to a complete new world, helping citizens over there and educate the public about AIDS. I have been telling them (and of course they both already understand) that this is for a great cause, it's something that a great person will do, and the impact they leave behind is un-imaginable. I truly admire their action, and so very proud to be their friend. Next time I see them I will still be in school (bomber...), but I will be almost ready to get out in the real world. By then, they will be back from Africa, tanned, and stay in shape :D

Best of luck, my friends! I wish you both a very safe and rewarding journey!

PS: for those of you who are curious of their trip, log on to their blog : http://reidandbrooke.blogspot.com/