Swear-In 2.0: Four Reasons Ata Should Be Supervised At All Times (and One Reason Ana Is Awesome)

Being sworn in as a PeaceCorps volunteer is one of the big milestones on the PCV timeline. (Duh!).

This year I tagged along to the ceremony to welcome the new volunteers (and miss a few days of school.) Besides, I figured it would be an entertaining afternoon. Ata didn’t disappoint.

Reason 1: A Fast and The Furious Reenactment on the Baku-Sumgayit Highway

As we are driving to the ceremony Ata spots some SUVs with diplomatic tags in front of us, he correctly assumes that these are most likely PeaceCorps vehicles. In light of this discovery, Ata decides it would be fun to floor the accelerator and race the aforementioned vehicles to the ceremony venue. He ignores Ana’s protests and proceeds to re-enact a pseudo-chase on the highway.

By the time we arrive at the venue, Ana is no longer speaking to Ata, and the Peace Corps vehicles have (inexplicably!) arrived before us. And my host nephew wants to go to the bathroom.

Reason 2: Ata is a Proud Papa

When my PCV brother receives his handshake and certificate, Ata lets out a loud whoop, shouting: That’s my son - at the top of his lungs from two rows behind me.

I admit I am grateful that I don’t have to acknowledge I know him. Ana is rolling her eyes in the seat next to me.

Reason 3: Ata Agrees With A Speech

As the host family representative is running down a list of reasons why working and living with PeaceCorps trainees is such a wonderful experience, she is accompanied by Ata shouting ‘I Agree’ at appropriate intervals

At this point, I am sinking into my seat in embarrassment and Ana is shaking her head.

Reason 3.5 Ana Is Awesome

At the end of the host family speech, Ana leans over and whispers: That was good. But I think mine was better.

(It was Ana. It was.)

Reason 3: My Anonymity Is Short-Lived

During one of the speeches, someone makes a reference to the trials and tribulations of being a PCV. Ata more than agrees with this statement. And takes this opportunity to try to get my attention – shouting my name over the applause.

I pull my sweater up to my chin and try not to die of embarrassment.

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Needless to say, Swear-in 2010 was eventful.
Congrats AZ8s on surviving PST. I promise it only gets easier from here.
Congrats AZ7s We’ve officially been PCVs for a year!

☺



Note: It makes me sad that the original copy of this post was lost during the 2010 New Year’s Eve Hard-Drive Failure. I feel like it lost some of its comic value.