Waiting Game

I recently talked to another nominee over e-mail.  She and I are both sick of waiting, although, she definitely has it worse than me since she's had to wait a full year longer. Luckily, it's only been a month and a week since I've applied! Now it seems like I shouldn't be sick of it, ...but it's more sick of dealing with medical right now.  However, I know that as soon as I send my medkit back off (hopefully end of next week), I have a whole different waiting game. First, the wait to be medically cleared, which may be a long time and I may have to fill out extra stuff because of last summer and epilepsy. Hopefully not. 

Then, if I get cleared, I have to wait for the invite. That's going to be hell simply because IAP is so far behind. Furthermore, I found out from someone with my nomination that his recruiter told him that the country was asking for 16 nominations, but are only going invite and send 7 or 8 to the country! I don't even understand how that is possible. That makes me even more nervous that they will have an overflow of people nominated and able to go there, so they'll have their pick and since I have medical restriction they'll just say "we choose the other person with no restrictions over her."  So why would they nominate DOUBLE the amount of people they intend to send!? That just doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway, the message board is talking about some things to do in the meantime, during the horrendous waiting game. These are some of the things that have been said:

• Volunteer your free time to organizations that fit your work role nomination.
• Sign up at the Red Cross for a First Aid/CPR (and more) class, I think that'll be immensely helpful for and PCV.
• Take an online TESL course--no matter your role, its very likely to encounter english teaching situations as a secondary role or a simple request. Plus, now that I'm partly into my course, I think it will ultimately help me learn the language better.
• Create a blog--document your application process, invite, and serving.
• Make a list of official business that needs to be closed before leaving (ie. closing accounts, what to do with possessions).
• Start working out--or increase the workouts/push harder.
• Practice your bike riding skills, since most of us haven't ridden since we were 10 and will have bikes as a PCV.
• Research issues you are nervous about--ie. regions food, malaria, tropical illnesses, medicines, gender norms.
• Study/Review the language you will most likely be learning--if you know.
• Research items you know you will need so you can get the best price (& discount!).
• Plan trips to visit friends and family.
• Tie things up at work.
• Make a packing list--even if you don't know where you are going, there are definite basics.
• Look over the Project Idea page on Peace Corps Wiki.
• Searching wiki for possible countries you could go to and why--make a list of people you've seen on the message board with similar nominations/invitations.
• Organize your iTunes library and download music you definitely want with you.
• Start collecting addresses of friends and family--buy a cute address book for it (or *idea* make it a small scrap book with each page being someone else with their picture(s) and their own hand writing and cute message).
• Get your camera out and start taking lots of pictures of family, friends, town, pets to take with you!
• If you know your work role, think of things to take with you (ie. crayons, stickers).
• Make a list or start buying gifts for host families/friends/co-workers in your country (ie. hard candy, post cards, calenders, etc).
• Learn/Start yoga and or meditation (possible weekend retreat). Great for "staying in the moment" and will come in handy on lonely nights in-country.
• Look for books that you think will help you in country, dealing with your work/loneliness, adventure, previous pcv books.
• Hobbies like sewing, embroidery, knitting, etc--time consuming and can be useful.
• Make business cards with name/e-mail/blog on it...additional info can be added on site.
• Cultivate a relationship with a teacher so you can keep in contact with them.
• Get acquainted with local organizations, clubs, churches, etc.  It may come in handy if you need help for your site (money, materials, etc)
• Connect with RPCV National PC Associated Affiliate organization for your country.
• Visit local newspapers, radio and TV stations and share your adventures with the media. Maybe it will be a onetime interview or perhaps you can arrange to do a column or a series.
• Visit the shops and businesses in your community and just chat with them about what you are doing. Ask them if there are ways they can help you.
  

If more ideas come up I'll post them up here, but for now that's it, but a good start!