Double Dare...

Haiti

2010-01-13T22:55:00.003-06:00

I haven't posted on here for a long while, but I know a lot of PC people still read this, and I know a lot of you have great, good, big hearts.

Yesterday, January 12, 2010, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake. Initially, Haiti had a 7.0 earthquake. Since the, the country has been hit seemingly nonstop by earthquakes (aftershocks) ranging from 4.2 to 5.9 magnitude.

The country is in ruins, and people testified to seeing a cloud of dust rise above the city at the end of the earthquake. The National Palace to the UN Headquarters have been destroyed. The hospital and healthcare system is demolished, the airport couldn't get any signals out, the jail has been destroyed with some escaped inmates. More importantly, the Haitian citizens are without home, food, water, health care, or power. Many are trapped under rubble and hundreds of thousands are feared dead.

Luckily many countries, companies, and individuals are pledging aid to Haiti. The country has been a poor and disadvantaged country for a long time, but this earthquake has simply put the country into ruins.

Please remember, right now the Haitians can use every little bit of aid you can offer, so please consider visiting one of these sites to help.

American Red Cross (click to donate money, or text "Haiti" to 90999)
Beyond Borders
CARE
Doctors Without Borders
Haiti Children
Haitian Health Foundation
Hope for Haiti
International Medical Corps
International Rescue Committee
Mercy Corps
UNICEF
World Hope International (to donate for Haiti, choose "Disaster Response: Haiti" from drop down menu)
World Relief Responds
World Vision
Yele (Wyclef John's website to raise awareness about Haiti)

Support!

2009-04-08T08:11:00.003-05:00

Today is a big day for the PC.....important! Even if you don't know why, keep for fingers crossed and keep hope, today is a big day!

I'll be thinking happy thought and sending good vibes out all day!

Do the same!

Excitement!

2009-03-27T11:14:00.002-05:00

Brittany just got her invitation today! Well, of course she's still waiting for the packet to come in the mail, but her PO emailed her she was invited!!! I'm so excited, so you can just vaguely imagine the excitement she's feeling!

The funny thing is that a few days ago, I said "Brittany, the reason the reason you haven't gotten it yet is because your PO is planning to invite you the day I get my letter!"

Today, I got my letter.

Today, Brittany got invited.

Awesome!

Goals

2009-03-19T08:10:00.004-05:00

So right now, I'm planning to reapply in August. Looking at everything right now, IF they let me get a nomination, I don't plan on it being until next summer or later (tho my availability date will be 1-10-09). In the mean time, I will either (a) stay here for an extra amount of time, or (b) apply to one of 2 programs to work with youth/orphanages/tefl in Africa for several months during the application process. I hope PC works out, otherwise, I dunno where I am? Maybe here longer.

Doing what I can to get more & more experience. Obviously, I'm here so that's big experience. Might get 2 more small TEFL certificates (Youth & Business) using the same company I did last time. Starting Tuesday, I'll be volunteering with an organization who helps sick children. Looking for other things too. Maybe 1st Aid/CPR?

Send Some Love

2009-03-13T11:28:00.002-05:00

A child from my hometown in Indiana has a condition with his brain called AVM, his parents have set him up a Caring Bridge website, and described his condition here:

Since he has been at Riley, they determined that the cause of the bleeding is a congential (at birth) brain problem called an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). Basically, the bloodvessels are in a tangle in a certain area of the brain and the built up pressure finally caused them to bleed.

He is currently in Phoenix to receive his second brain surgery....second brain surgery and he is just a 6th grader!

What you can do is go to Andrew's website and help the parents reach their goal of sending messages to him through the guestbook & send optional donations. Also, if you have a blog, twitter, facebook, or even e-mail your friends/family.....you could give this link and information to spread the word through networking to help his parents achieve their goal & bring Andrew a little cheer through the messages.

PC PSA

2009-03-11T10:09:00.002-05:00

Sara posted a Peace Corps public service announcement on her blog, and it made me remember a coulple of the ones that I particularly like. And also, just because I like to copy her I thought I'd show them!

Support

2009-03-11T10:07:00.001-05:00

Cool Barak Support the PC vid someone made

Woa--Flashback!

2009-03-05T06:36:00.002-06:00

I was going through my old application tonight (did you know you could still access it as long as it is still active? yep!) And there was one thing that definitely struck me as a "what on earth was I thinking" moment! Haha! No no no, I didn't lie, cheat, or elaborate. Absolutely not! It was about my preferences! Haha!

Under Job Preferences, I cited in order: Education, Health, & Business.

Now, Education and Health I've always been interested in, but...BUSINESS!? Please understand that business is the bane of my existance, so why on earth would I have marked that!? Who knows! That just seems like insanity to me.

If I had to do it again, I'd mark, in order: Education, Community (which Youth falls under), & Health.

Neat Stamp

2009-03-02T08:16:00.002-06:00

Found this neat stamp online--pretty cool, eh?

Peace Corps = Important = HELP!

2009-03-02T07:39:00.001-06:00

I came across this article by a FSU professor. I thought at first I'd skim it quickly over, but found myself reading it--very captivated. He talks about the importance for Peace Corps, the number of volunteers, and how many countries desperately need more volunteers--or just flat out need volunteers.

Rebuilding the Peace Corps

Enjoy it! Makes a lot of good points!

Budget Sponsors!

2009-02-27T09:16:00.003-06:00

Check that out! My Twitterific popped up with this Tweet at the top! How cool!

Considering I'm out of country and uber busy, I haven't had a chance to write my congressman, but I plan to on Sunday night--the second I get off work!

If you haven't done so, or have not heard, please write your congressman/woman asking him or her to suppose the Budget Increase bill.

To see how, please read the blog entry, directly below this

Budget Help?

2009-02-18T09:54:00.003-06:00

Supposedly there has been a bill submitted to congress for consideration that will increase the budget and size of the Peace Corps over the next 3 fiscal years.

Hrmmmm very interesting! Go Obama! Of course, Congress still has to hack it apart part :-/ Hopefully not to death. Hopefully it gets at least some sort of increase.

I'll get back to you later with the link, yah

UPDATE: I was send an email by Rajeev Goyal with MorePeaceCorps. It addressed this very bill that I spoke of. You can find the bill at The Library of Congress

Futhermore, his e-mail (I cam crediting Rajeev Goyal and M.P.C. with it, I am simply pasting it in here) said this:

On February 13, 2009, RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (CA-D) introduced the Peace Corps Expansion Act 2009 (House Bill 1066) in the House of Representatives, with 40 co-sponsors. The ambition of the bill and the number of co-sponsors sent a shock wave through Congress. *We have to rally to support HR 1066.* Click here to read the full text.

The Act, which cites growing numbers of applications to Peace Corps, calls for $450 million in FY 2010 to support and expand the Peace Corps. This is a $120 million increase over the FY 2009 budget, followed by $600 million for FY 2011, and $750 million in FY 2012.

To ensure that this legislation is passed, each of us must 1) support Congressman Farr’s initiative and 2) reach out to our members of Congress to grow the number of co-sponsors. Members of Congress should get in touch with RPCV staffer Marc Hanson (marc.hanson@mail.house.gov) in Congressman Farr’s office to have their names added.
Here's what you can do to take action: Check and see if your Congressman/woman is already a co-sponsor. It your Member is already a co-sponsor, send a supportive message by calling the toll-free number for the Capitol switchboard (877 851-6437) and asking to be connected to your representative's office. Leave this message:

For Members who are already co-sponsors.

"I believe the Peace Corps is underfunded at a time when demand for service has never been higher. Thank you for becoming a co-sponsor of House Bill 1066, the Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009. I hope that you will reach out to other Members and invite them to co-sponsor this important bill.

If your Member is not yet a co-sponsor, use the same toll free number asking to be connected to your representative’s office. Leave this message:

For Members who are not yet co-sponsors.

"I believe the Peace Corps is underfunded at a time when demand for service has never been higher. Please consider becoming a co-sponsor of House Bill 1066, the Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009. Contact Congressman Farr to become a co-sponsor and support the Campaign to increase the size of the Peace Corps.”

Please note this is a House action only!

For more information, call Rajeev Goyal – 917-438-4626 or email him at rgoyal@mrss.com.

And don't forget, look up the bill! Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009

Heh!

2009-01-31T07:03:00.004-06:00

Totally swiped from a PCV's blog, but it was just TOO CUTE!!! The PCV is in Ethiopia so it especially....fit for her. But really, how funny/cute is this cartoon?

Its A Shame

2009-01-31T05:33:00.003-06:00

The Peace Corps is a great organization, truly. I'm convinced of that and my mind won't change. The 3 goals are:

Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

When it gets down to the "nitty gritty" it is about helping people. The volunteers work their hardest to learn about the people and their culture, language, and all else....with that knowledge, they then work as hard as they can to work FOR the people, make sustainable changes/projects, and possibly, most importantly, get to know the people and become friends/family. As important as the work is, the relationships made are just as important--you will remember them, and they will remember you, possibly more than the work. Even if they can't remember what exactly the project what that allowed their community to gain running water, they will remember the face of the person they came to love. And that goes for the volunteer too.

That said, I know the Peace Corps doesn't really have a choice in some things going on right now. Budget Cuts are out of their control, and they have to find a way to do their best during the time, find ways to make the Peace Corps succeed in its best possible way. And I commend their efforts. I don't blame them by any means, I know they want to see people serve, make a difference....get us through the application process.

It is just sad that they have to turn people away or ask them to reapply due to various factors (reactivating, not qualified enough--which often just months ago would have been qualified, or other unknown reasons). While I know they'd love to see these people through, they just don't have a choice. But its sad that people committed to helping, learning, and working as hard as they can in an entirely new place are being turned away. I'm sure the PC realizes that too.

People everywhere are scrambling to get more experience, or even get more experience while reapplying, just to ensure that they will be qualified enough to receive an invitation--they hope.

We all hope the situation improves, and I'm sure it will, we all just wonder when!

That said, any recruiters, APOs, POs reading this and want to help me out trying to figure out when I'm allowed to reapply? I'm just dying to, but was told I have to wait a year. *sigh* Frustrating, but hey, more experience right? That's the positive thing, more experience.

P.S. I was so proud to see the PC in the inauguration parade--really so amazing

Holy Crap Peru 12!

2009-01-26T02:54:00.003-06:00

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Peru 12, I just want to fly down to Peru and thank you for making my day! Hahaha! I can't even explain how much I laughed to this, SO freaking hilarious!

Peace Corps Inauguration Parade

2009-01-22T08:38:00.004-06:00

Jon tipped me off to this article about the Peace Corps marching in the Inauguration Parade...words can't do the article justice, so just please read it! Amazing.

Kennedy's Kids Then, Obama's Kids Now

Peace Corps Inauguration Parade Pictures

Obama President Now!

2009-01-20T07:03:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-20T00:45:00.004-06:00

Merry Christmas all! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, happy new years, and that your invite comes today!

(P.S. I thought I shoudl tell you all this group is called "Straight No Chaser" and is from my alma mater Indiana University!)

PC Push

2008-12-18T22:45:00.002-06:00

Jon showed me this link about pushing to better the PC and increase funding/vols/locations....very interesting. Initially came from change.gov

Change in Events

2008-12-16T14:46:00.005-06:00

Due to safety reasons, I am no longer going to Shanghai. If this person doesn't stop contacting me all together, I will be contacting the Chinese authorities about him. He scares me a lot, I don't like him and definitely don't want him in my life, and I know the Chinese government and police will keep him away and get him in trouble. Therefore, to keep myself safe, I will no longer be going to Shanghai, or China at all. Moreover, I am **engaged** to be married after this year of teaching, and NOT to him, to my American fiance. So I really want this person to leave me alone.

I've talked with the school that my contract is with, and they agree its best for me. Also, because they have many schools, they've allowed me to transfer my contract to another school in another country. It will be at one of their locations in Indonesia (though I'm not sure the specific school--but China, Indonesia, and Russia are their biggest teaching locations...but the majority of Indonesia's EF schools are on Java, so that's a guess). But isn't that picture of Indonesia beautiful? Maybe this change will prove to be worth it, even tho its not what I had been expecting or planning for months...

I am sad to not be able to live and teach in China, but Indonesia is an Asian country I haven't visited yet, so I am very excited about that. I think this will be a much safer option for me, and because its someplace I've never been to before, it will be even more exciting.

Heads Up

2008-12-14T17:33:00.002-06:00

In January I leave for *** and my other blog will detail that adventure!!!

However, in the next week or 2 I will be turning that blog private, but I know there are a handful of you that I talk to and read this blog that may not even be aware of that other blog. So Just in case, if you are interested in reading that blog, email me or leave a comment on the blog and provide your email so that I can include you on the list of family/friends who will have access to it!

Bumpity Bump

2008-12-03T20:43:00.004-06:00

Hit a little bump in the road, but hey, you know what? That's life. The bump came, and I'm going to do everything in my power to smooth that bump out and work around it. Just nice and easy. Luckily, I have support every direction I look, except that bump of course. The support is great, and I appreciate it, lets me know that I'll be able to get over or around this bump. I'm stressed, off the charts really. But in the end, it will have been just a little bump in the road. I can see past that bump, now I just have to figure out how to get around it.

Update: still very stressed out by this. can't really figure any of it out tho I'm trying like hell

Getting Close

2008-11-23T21:31:00.006-06:00

Nearing the end of November, I'm starting to really actively thing about reactivating my application. I just can't decide on the right time. If I could do it now, I would in a heartbeat, but the nominations for when I can leave aren't open yet. I was suggested to reactivate in March, but I would *love* to do it in January, the first week of January, before I leave.

In the mean time, I think I am going to send my recruiter an updated resume and update on a couple volunteer things I've done, as well as a brief statement about be overflowing excitement and barely contained patience to reactivate my application! I'll do that tomorrow I think, I don't like e-mailing at night when I'm on the verge of getting tired and could potentially get wordy or miswrite stuff or not check my grammar/spelling.

But that is a start, that email I'm sending will be a start to let her know I'm very excitedly on my way to reactivating my application!

Update: aaaaap I did it I did it! I got it proofread by awesome Sara before I sent it, and Sara and Brittany both helped with resume updates. Everyone please keep your fingers crossed for good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so nervously excited!!!

Update: immediate out of office reply! my recruiter is out of office until December 1st...only a week, but noooooooo! I was hoping for a quick, positive reply. That's okay though, I will wait it out. Its a week, I'm patient, I can do it.

Wooooaaaaaa

2008-11-14T15:24:00.003-06:00

So, I just happened to look at my toolkit, someone in the group just got that mysterious medical message saying "look for a letter in the mail regarding the decision"--you know, the one that freaks EVERYONE out and makes them think they have been denied. I'm sure she's cleared, but it freaks everyone out. I wish I could just give her a big hug and tell her to breathe!! Haha! I just know how that was. ANYWAY. I got on my toolkit to see what my message actually said--it said one thing before the letter, one thing after...any way, I noticed two things on there that I had never noticed before! I never got toolkit updates about that, so I had no clue those two things had changed.

So basically, it says (a) up in the red, that I had withdrawn my application and if I wish to reactivate it to contact placement, and (b) down at invitation, that I had declined my invitation to El Salvador.

I just had NO CLUE my ToolKit had updated to that!!! As "bleh" as that is to see, it IS good because it lets me know that my application really is able to be reactivated, which I have sometimes been nervous about just because its floating around "no man's land." Though I thought I was supposed to contact my recruiter instead of my PO? But it says Placement Office. Hrmmmm. Very interesting.

I dunno, I just found the whole update very interesting! Its been there since August without my even knowing it!

Life is Calling

2008-11-10T01:22:00.000-06:00

I totally think they should contact Peace Corps about them using this video for an ad--listen to the lyrics. Not only do they have great voices, but the lyrics match....amazing

Packing List!

2008-11-09T15:20:00.004-06:00

Pretty much exactly 2 months I leave for China--I leave the first week of January. People are right, the closer and closer something gets, the quicker the time goes. Its 2 months away and I STILL have to get my visa and buy my plane tickets. Today I should be getting the tickets, today or tomorrow. Hoping for Korean Air or JAL. I know Korean Air is nice, but have never flown JAL, tho I believe I've heard good stuff about it. Also, my information for me to get my visa with is on the way, so I'll be going up to Chicago to get that at the end of November or beginning of December. Not looking forward to that drive....6 hours, 8 hours? Eitherway, its awful.

Last night I started putting together a packing list for China--I may not be going with the Peace Corps, but I used their packing list to get a decent idea of what I'll need. Most of it I had on my list, but some of it was "oh yeah!"

Annoyance.

2008-11-07T12:07:00.004-06:00

I'm not trying to go all holier than though on readers :) The point is, why is someone allowed to be so demeaning and condescending and rude and bullying to people day after day with no reproach? ESPECIALLY in an organization like the Peace Corps where there should be friendliness, shared excitement, and just overall harmony.

I VOTED! (you better too!)

2008-11-04T11:55:00.002-06:00

I voted. And you better get your ass out and vote too (particularly if you are voting for Barack Obama)

My dad, sister, and I got up and went to vote this morning. We got in line at 5:45 am, with 15 minutes to wait. We were about 50 deep in the line, yet there were about 50-75 more behind us once 6 o'clock rolled around and the doors opened. In the front of the line there were even people with yard chairs and blankets--who knows what time they got there!

6 o'clock, doors opened. There are 2 precincts at Methodist Temple where I vote

-- 2-8 and 2-13, I am in 2-13. I got over to that line and signed my name (of course I had trouble when the little old woman didn'

t understand why I was registered here but my license had a Bloomington address, I had to explain that I live here, am registered here, but when I had to get my license, I was in Bloomington and didn't have any Evansville proof with me).

6:13 my dad went up, 6:15 Caitlin went up, and about 6:20 I went up to vote and was finished in a few minutes

BARACK OBAMA!

GO VOTE!

YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT!

SO GO VOTE!!!!

Tell Barack

2008-11-02T23:55:00.000-06:00

Goal

2008-11-02T22:10:00.003-06:00

I know I want to go to EE/CA, NA/ME, or Africa.....its one of those things where you know you want to go there, because you'd do well there and the like; however, can't really put your finger on the specifics of why those regions would really suit you.

So that's my goal. In the next couple weeks, I want to come up with a few reasons why Eastern Europe/Central Asia, North Africa/Middle East, and Africa would be the best regions for me.

At least TEFL's top 2 regions are in Africa and EE/CA, and in the Middle East (aka Jordan) its one of just 3 work areas, and seems to be the strongest. So those factors are going for me. But I want my personal reason, not a statistic reason. I know my personal reason is there, I just have to piece it together! :-D

Alert: Dad's Bday Sunday!!!

2008-10-30T23:10:00.003-05:00

We are totally baffled as to what to get my dad for his birthday. Here's the run down on info for him.

Turning 59 yrs old Monday (but acts like he's 45-49)
Is a dentist (tho his first profession was engineering)
Quiet & reserved
Has a girlfriend of almost 9 months
Likes cars & racing
Loves scuba
Likes sun and beaches
Likes music and movies, but neither watches movies or listens to music (go figure)
Has too many clothes from past gifts
Likes gadgets but doesn't need watch, iPod, computer, printer, camera
Procrastinator--he really means to get stuff done, but doesn't....ever, very rarely
Recently started cooking every now and then with his gf
Doesn't read

Keep in mind that my sisters and I are poor.

We bought a picture frame for him that we are going to do up, but we don't want that to be the only thing since its cheesy. We can't spend a lot, don't want to get something huge, but something smaller he'd still enjoy....and not just let the dust gather as he does with the vast majority of presents besides clothes.

HELP!!!!!!!!!

Hospitals

2008-10-25T18:03:00.003-05:00

Remember how I said I was going to make a list of hospitals so I could all "au contraire" the MO? Haha. I was researching Jordan today, a country I'd LOVE to go to. And found they definitely have at least 1 hospital with a 24 hour emergency room--possibly a neuro unit but I wasn't clear. And to top it off, another country I'd love, Morocco totally has a hospital with not only a 24 hour emergency room, BUT a neurology unit! BOOYAH. And in Jordan, Education is one of just 3 work areas they send.

Statistics

2008-10-24T22:50:00.004-05:00

Mike made this post on peacecorps2 today. Its about new statistic material they are providing in pamphlets/booklets they're giving to new potential vols. Very interesting!

Peace Corps has recently begun handing out new catalogs for potential
applicants in which in the middle of the booklet they give some
statistics of where volunteers go and in what field:

BY REGION
Africa (39%)
Latin America (22%)
Eastern Europe and Central Asia (20%)
Asia (7%)
The Caribbean (4%)
North Africa and The Middle East (4%)
Pacific Islands (4%)

BY SECTOR
Education (30%)
Business and Information & Communication Technology (19%)
Youth and Community Development (17%)
Health (17%)
Environment (9%)
Agriculture (8%)

What is also nice is that they also present, using colored-coded
human-stick-figures, what fraction of volunteers in a region are in
each sector. (example: 20% of volunteers in The Caribbean are Health
volunteers)

With all that given, you can actually solve for the "reverse"
probabilities. This helps answer questions like:

Q: "I want to be a Health Volunteer, where am I likely to be placed?"
A: 50% of Health volunteers are posted in Africa.

Q: "What about an Education Volunteer?"
A: 70% of Education Volunteers are posted in either Africa or Eastern
Europe and Central Asia

Q: "Are there a lot of Environment positions open in Asia?"
A: Only 3% of Environment volunteers are posted in Asia.

Agriculture Volunteers
-------------------------
54% are in Africa
26% are in Latin America
13% are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
3% are in Pacific Islands
3% are in Asia
0% are in North Africa and The Middle East
0% are in The Caribbean

Health Volunteers
-------------------------
50% are in Africa
29% are in Latin America
6% are in North Africa and The Middle East
6% are in Pacific Islands
5% are in The Caribbean
4% are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
1% are in Asia

Education Volunteers
-------------------------
35% are in Africa
34% are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
16% are in Asia
7% are in Latin America
4% are in North Africa and The Middle East
3% are in Pacific Islands
1% are in The Caribbean

Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
-------------------------
34% are in Africa
29% are in Latin America
22% are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
4% are in North Africa and The Middle East
4% are in Pacific Islands
4% are in The Caribbean
3% are in Asia

Youth and Community Development Volunteers
-------------------------
38% are in Africa
24% are in Latin America
17% are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
11% are in The Caribbean
5% are in Asia
3% are in North Africa and the Middle East
1% are in the Pacific Islands

Environment Volunteers
-------------------------
36% are in Latin America
29% are in Africa
12% are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
7% are in Pacific Islands
6% are in North Africa and The Middle East
4% are in The Caribbean
3% are in Asia

The "reverse" probabilities, which were calculated above, is the percents for each region given the SECTOR. Most applicants have a better sense of what they want to be doing than what region they will be going too; hence the "reverse" probabilities above.

Africa
-------------------------
27% are Education volunteers
22% are Health volunteers
17% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
17% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
11% are Agriculture Volunteers
7% are Environment Volunteers

Latin America
-------------------------
25% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
22% are Health Volunteers
19% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
15% are Environment Volunteers
10% are Education Volunteers
9% are Agriculture Volunteers

Eastern Europe and Central Asia
-------------------------
51% are Education Volunteers
21% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
15% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
6% are Environment Volunteers
5% are Agriculture Volunteers
3% are Health Volunteers

Asia
-------------------------
69% are Education Volunteers
13% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
9% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
4% are Environment Volunteers
3% are Agriculture Volunteers
3% are Health Volunteers

The Caribbean
-------------------------
45% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
20% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
20% are Health Volunteers
10% are Environment Volunteers
5% are Education Volunteers
0% are Agriculture Volunteers

North Africa and The Middle East
-------------------------
29% are Education Volunteers
24% are Health Volunteers
19% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
14% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
14% are Environment Volunteers
0% are Agriculture Volunteers

Pacific Islands
-------------------------
26% are Education Volunteers
26% are Health Volunteers
21% are Business and Information & Communication Technology Volunteers
16% are Environment Volunteers
6% are Youth and Community Development Volunteers
6% are Agriculture Volunteers

For me, I want to do (and should be qualified for) Education which is the largest work sector at 30%, and want to go to EE/CA, Africa, or NA/ME. 70% of all Education volunteers are placed in EE/CA or Africa. Only 4% of Education volunteers are in NA/ME, but since only 4% of all volunteers are placed there, I'd say that's probably actually more than 4% makes you initially think.

Nice eh???

Yes, I'm Repetitive

2008-10-21T23:13:00.003-05:00

Dear God, I might say this every day....at least a lot...but I sure as hell think it every damn day.

I can't WAIT to reactivate my application and finally leave for the Peace Corps!

Sure I'm nervous, but all in all, I feel really good about this. I'll have some strong experience under my belt and be able to really give them great answers about why I declined & deactivated the first time and better explain what I want this time.

Some things I've thought about:

I really prefer EE/CA, NA/ME, and Africa (pref non-francophone)
I'd be willing to go to Pacific & Asia
I'd be okay with the Caribbean
I don't want to go to Latin America, I have realized that.
I really want to do TEFL (I should be able to once I reactivate and have that TEFL teaching experience)
I'd be willing to do Youth Development, Community Development, or Health Extension
El Salvador, despite it looking ideal, it was not ideal for me, I wouldn't have thrived there which is key to succeeding in the PC. If I don't thrive, I won't succeed. I strongly believe I made the right decision and know that even though the invitation process is somewhat of a lottery, that the next invitation will be right, it'll be great.
My contact with English First will be up in January '10, I'm debating giving them a first available to leave date to be in January or February '10.
I'm beyond excited to get the ball rolling again!

Quote

2008-10-19T00:06:00.002-05:00

I'm borrowing this quote from Sasha, she quoted it on her website:

We know what we want to do, but are afraid of hurting those around us by abandoning everything in order to pursue our dream. We do not realize that love is just a further impetus, not something that will prevent us going forward. We do not realize that those who genuinely wish us well want us to be happy and are prepared to accompany us on that journey. -Paulo Coelho-

A great quote, something I need to keep in mind better, because I often forget this.

(blog updates)

2008-10-17T16:36:00.001-05:00

If you look to my sidebar to the right, you'll notice under "fav pcv blogs" that I reorganized/updated the list--some of these I think are REALLY great. They are in no particular order at all!

PC = Hair Dye

2008-10-17T16:09:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, my mom and younger sister, Ellen, and I were driving to St. Louis. Ellen eventually sunk into the backseat with her iPod (up soooo loud) and some thread to make those bracelets where you like loop and knot it. She's 16 and still loves artsy stuff like that to kill time.

Something prompted me to bring up the Peace Corps to my mom (who knows what, it seems like everything these days reminds me of the Peace Corps). I said, "You know mom, being a nurse practitioner, you could join the Peace Corps once you retire and Ellen's out from under you." (you know, how you aren't supposed to join if you are a guardian or financially responsible for someone. Ellen is 16 and a Junior, so she has a year and a half of h/s, and 4 years of college. My mom is 50, so that'd put my mom at 56, just about to retire.)

She seemed to entertain the idea as a plausible one. Most people look at you or respond to you as if you are crazy when you mention that. However, my mom actually entertained it--she's always been one who's dreamed of traveling but never did, and she was (surprisingly, since we don't get along) the first to head over heels support my decision to join the Peace Corps. She said something along the lines that it was something for her to think about and could be fun to do.

I say, "Since you are a nurse practitioner, which to them would give you a really strong application, and would be considered a 'senior' volunteer (NO OFFENSE) and they especially value volunteers of that age and experience, and Health is something that's in every region, you could probably even request a region and get placed in it--something younger volunteers don't necessarily get the privilege of doing. Its not a guarantee, but probably much more so than someone like me. Of course, despite that, flexibility is key." This seemed to intrigue her, and she asked what the regions were, so I told her.

She immediately said "I want to go to the Caribbean and live on like St. Lucia or St. Kitts, and what about my hair--how will I dye my hair? I won't go anywhere that I can't dye me hair."

I took a moment, staring at her, mouth gaping.

I say, "Mom...when people join the Peace Corps, they aren't really worried about their hair...people who dye it stop dying it, if you want it cut usually another volunteer or a neighbor cuts it....even if you were in the Caribbean and went to a nice resort to get it dyed, you'd probably blow your monthly allowance. Is that SERIOUSLY what you are thinking of and would consider to be your prime concern about the Peace Corps? Where in the hell to get your hair dyed!? And Okay, there is nothing wrong with the Eastern Caribbean, people go there and love it, there are people there who need help, but to want to go there because you are imagining ritzy beachy stuff!? You have GOT to be kidding me."

I had been so impressed by my mother supporting my decision for the Peace Corps. I had been so impressed that she seriously entertained the idea of she herself joining. Then I was so appalled when she said her region depended on hair dye and comfort. I told her to go to EE and dye her hair East European red.

Obama Shoutout

2008-10-15T22:02:00.003-05:00

Did anyone see Obama make another Peace Corps shout out during the debate? I love it! Among other reasons, this is one is a great reason to vote for Obama! I feel like he will really work for and with the Peace Corps, really help us out.

Yay Obama and Peace Corps!

Hrmmm

2008-10-15T21:41:00.002-05:00

I heard through the grapevine today that "at this time with the budget etc., it would be almost certain that if one declines an invitation there would not be another."

Hearing that come through the grapevine from the placement office is a little scary. Especially for me, someone who declined an invitation just weeks before the budget problem burst out, but will be reactivating next June when its quite likely the budget problem will still be going on.

Now, I know I made the right decision in declining El Salvador, but I also want to join the Peace Corps more than anything. Unfortunately, El Salvador wasn't the right program for me, but I am certain that I want to join and will be a great volunteer. I'm up for the challenge and am looking forward to helping those in my future Peace Corps country. I know the next country and program will be great for me, and I'm excited. Its going to be the longest wait, but I'll get there and it'll be worth it, and more importantly, it'll be right when I get there.

Naturally, hearing that, it just scares me that "oh, well...I declined an invitation....does that mean they won't extend me another one?" My decision to go to China for a year to teach English is in part for that reason. To help strengthen my application and experience for the Peace Corps since my application will now have a negative taint to it.

Just scary stuff to hear.

Its Right--For Sure

2008-10-09T23:35:00.002-05:00

I know the Peace Corps is right for me, and I know that for sure.

I know it is, because I received an invitation and declined it, was torn up and sick over it, but it made me realize exactly how much I want the Peace Corps and how excited I am for it. I'll be a great volunteer, I love cultures and languages (I wish language was my strong point, its not), I love helping people and finding out about them, and I like being in difficult situations where I will push myself to succeed.

Before the invitation that I declined, I knew I wanted to go, but was also nervous and wondering if it was the right decision--to do the Peace Corps. I knew it was, but the invitation was all wrong. However, I didn't know then just how much I want the Peace Corps. I knew I wanted it then, but having to decline an invitation and know that in about 9 months I will have to work that much harder than everyone else to get another invitation, AND to be going to China for a year to get more experience and teach English......well now I just know that the Peace Corps is for me, its right, its perfect. I'll be great at it when I finally get to do it.

I declined an invitation to a program, but in no way was that me declining the Peace Corps. Every day I am just anxious and excited thinking about the Peace Corps and can't wait to start the process again in 9 months. Until then, my file is deactivated waiting for me to reactivate, and I'm getting as much experience as I can.

But I just can't wait! I wish it were happening now! :):):):)

The Restriction

2008-10-08T01:23:00.004-05:00

As many of you know, I have an epilepsy restriction. Last time around, I know of one country it cut out for an invitation--one I very much would've accepted. Anyway, this time around, I was thinking of researching neurological centers through out the region I may be placed in (and regions I'd like to be placed in) as well as 24-hr hospitals that are good. I know the Peace Corps has lots of info, but I've heard of many situations where someone said "wait, seriously? but this is right there" and they have to go "oh, oh yeah, good point."

So I don't want to do it in a "take that" kind of way. I just want to do it in a way to help be best placed and possibly find more places I could be placed. I'm not sure if I'll do it yet, and if I do, it may be a long list, or I may just choose to list one or two places. I'll probably write another epilepsy personal statement for my nurse too. I just want as many possibilities as I can get with my very limiting restriction :)

Records: Most PC Service

2008-10-02T11:39:00.005-05:00

In text:

17 Years 9 Months by Russell H.
1984–present (2005)

E. Timor
Zambia,
E. Caribbean
Tonga
Guatemala
Fiji
Ecuador

15 Years 11 Months by Roger H.
1966 - 1990

Senegal
Botswana
India
Burkina Faso

11 Years 7 months by Louis C.
1974 - 1998

E. Caribbean
Lithuania
Fiji

Volunteer of Note:

8 Years 8 months by Helen Raffel

1996 - 2005 (roughly)

Uzbekistan
Morocco
China
Ukraine

Source

Quick--Top 3

2008-09-20T22:48:00.005-05:00

If you could choose 3 Peace Corps countries to be placed into, where?

Sara answered in .5 seconds:

Romania
Moldova
Ukraine

I think I would choose:

Armenia
Romania
Mongolia *tough decision b/w Cameroon & Mongolia*

(I'd also really like Jordan, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Philippines, Samoa, Benin, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Macedonia, Albania, Peru)

Future PC Thoughts

2008-09-19T21:06:00.002-05:00

(1) I hope they let me reactivate my application, so I don't have to completely reapply. I won't be able to leave until February 2010 or later, but must reactivate my application by August 8th, 2009. To be safe, I should contact them in June or July. My fear is that they will say "February is too far off for you to reactivate now, so you need to reapply." But at the same time, if they said that, I wouldn't understand, because in order to get a Q2 or Q3 (Jan-June) nomination (pref Feb-April), I'd have to actually APPLY earlier than I would if I reactivated. So see how it doesn't make sense? I could reactivate at the end of July, but if I had to completely apply again, I'd have to start applying around April or May. See the problem? My recruiter didn't really give me much of an answer, she seemed to think I'd have to reapply. I suppose when it gets closer I'll contact someone again.

(2) I think I've really decided that I want to be placed somewhere in Africa (francophone or not, tho francophone would be cool)...or Eastern Europe or Central Asia (especially the Caucus region or Central Asia, but I'd love EE all the way since I think a lot of great countries are there and was excessively excited when I almost got invited to Ukraine or Macedonia). I really want to do TEFL, and clearly EECA has a lot of TEFL. Also, being in Africa just interests me a lot. I'd also really like Jordan, they have an education program. I have to figure out my reasons. I can't say "just because." And I'm sure I have my reasons, but its one of those things that I just need to sorta "dig up" so to speak. I want to be able to give them good, strong reasons! For me, its important!

Peace Corps Budget

2008-09-14T21:11:00.000-05:00

Budget-crunched Peace Corps cuts Volunteer Positions

This article really lays out the problems the Peace Corps is having right now. I was actually contacted by this reporter as well, but I didn't feel like I was a good source for her so I passed. I do recognize a lot of names in the article though! Its really awful because a lot of problems the PC is having could be solved by a bigger budget. Granted, its not always as easy as that, but given a bigger budget, the Peace Corps would not have to cut employees, close regional offices, and decrease the amount of volunteers. Its just frustrating to know that Congress, and especially the Senate, doesn't take the Peace Corps very seriously.

E-mailed My Recruiter

2008-09-11T19:50:00.002-05:00

Having been thinking about my [hopefully] eventual joining of the Peace Corps, I thought it was time to e-mail someone. I might as well start gathering information about how I might go about reactivating the application, and if based on my timeline, I'll be able to reactivate it or if I will have to reapply and do everything over (ugh). I wrote:

Dear Hazel,

Hi, back in the February/March/April time you were acting as my recruiter and interviewed and nominated me. I recently declined my invitation to El Salvador for several reasons. One reason was that I felt I needed more time to prepare myself for that amount of time abroad. Another reason, a very big reason was that even though I am qualified, I feel I need to have some more "practical" experience on my side before I should move to a site where the community is counting on me. I feel that I could do the work had I accepted, but that if I get more real-life experience first, I will be able to give much more to a community.

That said, in October I will begin volunteering at The Literacy Center in my community, and possibly the Boys & Girls Club (also volunteering as a tutor). In January, I will be moving to Shanghai for a year to teach English. I feel this will help me gain a lot of practical experience on multiple levels.

I think my application is "deactivated"--if that is the right term. I was hoping to reactivate my application summer of '09, but due to TEFL in China, I wouldn't be able to leave until early 2010. I was wondering if that would be too early to reactivate it. If so, I am more than willing to go through the application process again. I realize that getting a nomination and invitation will be substantially harder now that I've declined an invitation, but I am willing to work hard for it. I am 100% dedicated to becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer, but I feel that right now I just need that extra push in experience to be able to best serve, and that by 2010 I will have hopefully gained it.

Thanks for all your time. I cannot express how much I appreciate everything you did back then and now this.

Sincerely,

Jenna Walker

She e-mailed me back this morning. She always did answer e-mails quickly. So this was her reply:

Hello Jenna,

Sorry you could not accept the first assignment. As long as you can be reached by email and phone, you can go ahead and seek a reactivation of your application in summer of 2009. However, if my counting is correct, you will have to start over and submit a new application because, by then, the application we have on file would have been withdrawn for over a year. Good luck to you.

Hazel
Regional Recruiter
Diversity and 50+ Liaison
PCV-Lesotho, Southern Africa 2003-2005

I'm glad her e-mail was helpful and nonjudgmental. Not to say that I expected her or anyone else to be (tho a handful of people have been)...its just that, its not really the best topic--declining and invite. She's always been great--always responds promptly, very nice, very helpful. Good recruiter in my opinion!

Okay, so I see what she's saying, 100%. I think in July, I will call and see if I can reactivate my application for an early 2010 departure, or if it is too early. If its 100 early, I'll just reapply--that should still give me enough time for a February-June departure date I think?

I really do want to specify a region this time...I think that would be better for me. I'm thinking EE/CA, Africa, and Asia. That may change in time, I should also look at where my skills best fit, and decide exactly why I'd like each region and how I'd do better in one over another. Stuff like that. Really know before I go into this again. I think that may be how I tripped up a lot last time. Besides experience, I didn't think about where I could best personally flourish or do my best with the community. Things to think about people, things to think about!

My Response to Amelie

2008-09-10T16:30:00.006-05:00

Today I was left a comment by a girl named Amelie. She left a comment on my last post, about my not accepting the invitation to El Salvador. I looked at her profile, and there's not really much there...no link to a blog at all...and the only think that caught my eye is her quote that says "Life is calling. How far will you go?" Clearly the PC quote. Apparently, she doesn't like me or my decision much, this is what she commented:

I could've easily blocked the comment so it didn't go through, but that would be faking it. It would be me trying to pretend that everyone thinks declining an invitation is a-ok. Obviously, everyone doesn't think so, and I don't want to hide that. If she and others feel that way, then so be it, that's perfectly fine. They can think whatever they want, but it was my decision and I am satisfied that I made the right decision for me right now.

Other people have supported my decision. I received several e-mails of people supporting it.

I just wanted to write to let you know that I think that what you did was really brave. I'm incredibly impressed that you had the courage and the foresight to know what will make you a more successful volunteer. I think that with all of PC's talk about "being flexible and serving where there's a need", that it can sometimes be incredibly hard to remember that you're the only one who can really know yourself and what things will and won't work

First, don't ever feel bad about what you decide to do with the peace corps. If you want to decline and invitation that is your choice, and no one has the right to judge you for that. Its not taboo, you have the right to terminate your PC service at anytime and no one elses' opinion matters.

Because my decision was so hard, and it tears me up, I really appreciated those e-mails. They really helped me "accept" my decision so to speak.

However, that's not to say that I wouldn't like to address a few points about what Amelie said. I feel that if someone addresses me in the tone and manner that she did, then its only fair.

(1) My love of cultures and travel and adventure, people, language, religions, and foods.....that is a love of mine that has been around since the day I was born and will stay with me til the day I die. I will never be satisfied sitting still and not learning about people.

(2) I do have an extremely strong desire to join the Peace Corps. Its not a desire to just have the dream, it is the desire to do it, be there, get in the middle of it, live how someone else does, get dirty, work hard, and be entirely uncomfortable sometimes. I won't lie; the people working for the Peace Corps that processed all my stuff, from my recruiter to my PO, were fantastic and amazing people. They worked hard for me and helped me so much. However, I did not make them jump through hoops and I don't really think they jumped through hoops. Again, that's not to say they didn't work so very hard for me, because they did and words cannot describe how appreciative I am of every last person who I worked with. However, I say that its not hoops simply because its their job and they treated me and worked with me exactly in the same way they would any other PC applicant. Having to get a second nomination was not something I made them jump through hoops for, there was a computer glitch so my recruiter called to tell me that she had to find a different nomination. When my program was full, my PO looked for other programs--something any PO would do for anyone who's program was full. She ran them by medical because I had a restriction--again, something any PO does for anyone with a restriction. I appreciate it more than anything, and they did a DAMN good job--but it wasn't hoops. Plain and simple, it wasn't them jumping through hoops because its their job and it is what is done for every applicant, not just me.

(3) As for this girl not wanting me to join the PC...well, sorry, because I fully intend on joining. It may be in the next year or two, it may be in 10-15 years, or it may be in 40 years. But if they will have me, then I will absolutely join the Peace Corps. I can't wait to join, and my ultimate dream would be to join for several "stints" so to speak.

One big problem with me joining now is that while I may have the qualifications on paper, I do not have the qualifications in experience. I don't want to be posted to a community and not be able to serve them the best I can. I want the real experience so that I can give the people what they need and actually make a difference. I don't want to get to my site and realize that I might know the technicalities of the work, but ultimately, I don't know how to do it and have to spend 1/2 my time getting help and researching stuff. I want to go into my site with experience and the ability to give them everything I can offer, and I want to be able to offer more than written qualifications.

That said, a big part in my decision to decline was that I want more practical experience to provide to my future site. That is exactly what I am going to do. I am really interested in TEFL. The next 4 months I am going to get a job--preferably something related to teaching so I am in the atmosphere, but since I don't have the teaching degree, I'll probably have to settle for something else. Now, how do I remedy getting experience with a bland job? I have already contacted organizations in my community such as The Literacy Center and Boys & Girls Club. The first would be volunteer tutoring adults in reading to raise their literacy level. The second group is volunteer tutoring/helping students with their homework or areas in school they may need help with. I think that's definitely some good experience for the Peace Corps. Furthermore, I've recently accepted a position to Teach English in China for a year. I can easily extend that contract if I want. All of those provide great experience for myself and the Peace Corps. Also, may I say, Amelie, there goes your idea that I actually don't like culture and adventure?

I respect the Peace Corps, its employees, and its volunteers. I think it is an amazing organization, and I can't wait to join it. Right now I'm hoping to be able to join in early 2010. I'm thinking about EE/CA, Africa, and Asia as my preferable regions. To me it doesn't matter if I'm living in a nice apartment with all the amenities in EE, or if I'm living in a mud hut or crude brick house under a mosquito net in Africa eating the snot-sauce, or living in a yurt in Mongolia eating mutton while bundled up in the negative degree weather. All of those places and lifestyles are the Peace Corps, and I am fully willing to welcome and adapt to any of those. However, right now, the PC was something I had to decline, it was a painful decision and still hurts me that I had to do it.

But I can't wait to join, and to do so when I'm ready and feel very prepared. I know it will be a lot harder for me to be nominated and invited next time around, but I'm up for the challenge because I love what the Peace Corps does and know that I want to do it, and by then, I will feel better about what I can give to my site. I can't wait for a future with the Peace Corps.

If You Didn't Know...btw....

2008-09-02T14:53:00.001-05:00

Many of you know that I had a couple loops (nothing too bad tho) before I got my invitation, and to El Salvador on September 14th. What many of you may not know, and to my shock, as well as my family and friend's shock, and all my PC acquaintances, I declined the invitation.

On the surface the assignment seemed absolutely wonderful--perfect. But I won't lie that something felt wrong or out of place. So I declined. I didn't want to accept such a serious commitment when I was so unsure. I still can't put my finger on what felt wrong, but something did, and I've learned to trust my gut instinct.

I asked to "withdraw" my application for the time being, and that I wanted to reapply later, and I was asked to write a personal statement about my reasoning to not accept. Supposedly I have a year to "reactivate" my application, if I wait longer than that, then I will have to reapply, start from scratch.

However, I almost feel like I'm "not allowed" to reactivate it so close to when I declined an invitation and withdrew--that it'd be fishy, but I'll tell you what, I desperately want to reactivate it and have them look at me for Eastern Europe, Africa, or Asia. Desperately. But I feel like I have to wait, show them I've done something else, and thought about it, and then reapply. She wasn't happy I declined and did state it would be a lot harder for me to reapply because of this.

Its sorta a touchy subject for me still, which is why I haven't brought it up before. But I realized I needed to ask and start looking for an answer. Since I'm my sister's maid of honor, I now won't be able to leave until after June 20th 2009 (because of the no-traveling rules at beginning of PC service)--which sucks. I withdrew on August 8th, so I have til next Aug to reactivate if I understand everything correctly.

I guess basically I'm asking if anyone has any insight on this--after you decline an invitation, what's the appropriate way of going about re-activating your application later? When should I if I want to leave July-later? What am I not thinking of? I know this is sorta the "taboo" topic sorta like ETing.....but it became a reality for me. Something wasn't right, even tho I couldn't identify it, and I just couldn't commit to that particular program unfortunately :-/

EL SALVADOR

2008-07-31T13:02:00.006-05:00

Today at CMOE camp, we went to Angel Mounds, an old Indian.....well....an area of land preserved by the state because Indians used to live there and so there are artifacts there. Whatever the official name would be. My sister texts me "Its here! Peace Corps stuff is here! Can I open it!? Please!? Does it say where you are going!?" I text her back yelling no no no don't open it! That's my thing! That's like opening my Christmas presents! Back at CMOE, we get a 30 minute lunch, so I rushed home.

I open the package, and tadaaaaaa!!!!

EL SALVADOR, Youth Development
Staging: Sept 14th-16th
Training: Sept 16th-Nov 15th
Service: November 16th, 2008-November 16th, 2010

So that's my invitation! And really, its sorta perfect because of the 100% Spanish speaking society and food. Haha. Training is for 2 months in San Vicente, near the capitol San Salvador. As the text they gave me say, it is "HOT" there.

ToolKit Update!

2008-07-29T12:56:00.003-05:00

My toolkit updated today, I'm officially invited and my invite was sent out in the mail!

Update: people on "future peace corps volunteers" are taking bets on which day my invite arrives!

6-wk's

2008-07-24T23:26:00.003-05:00

With the 6-wk rule and today's date being July 24th the remaining possibilities are: ~~Panama~~, ~~Guatemala~~, ~~Philippines~~, ~~Belize~~, ~~Dominican Republic~~, ~~Eastern Caribbean~~, ~~Nicaragua~~, Peru, El Salvador, Macedonia, ~~Ukraine~~
(most likely in bold)

yeaaaaaah, and other than those listed--its only Africa & Pacific leaving that I've found invites and nominations for....I haven't seen any other regions after September....uhhhhh its REALLY not looking good right now....

Nomination #4

2008-07-22T12:34:00.003-05:00

Not even sure if this and the last have been "real" nominations. I guess they are though. Oh well. I finally broke down and e-mailed my PO, Amanda. To my surprise, she got back to me literally within seconds. My first thought was "oh no, she's out of office, and its an automatic reply"--that's how quick it was. But nope! She was really just THAT QUICK pulling up my info, processing it, writing a reply, and sending. She earns the medal of the day!! Anyway, this is what she sent me (minus any private info):

Hi Jenna,

Thanks so much for your flexibility on this.

Your email is very timely!

I actually just found out that the Eastern European country is unable to accommodate you medically so I submitted a new request for a Central-America Youth Development program. This particular program is scheduled to depart in mid/late September and there will be a spot held for you until we hear back from the Office of Medical Services.

I submitted the request on July 15th, and I will contact you as soon as I hear back from the Office of Medical Services.

In the meantime, I will keep my fingers crossed! J

Please feel free to contact me with many questions since I know what it feels like to play the waiting game!

Have a great day,

Amanda ********, RPCV Honduras

Volunteer Placement Specialist / IAP

Peace Corps Headquarters

So, now I'm back to being very close to my original nomination!

Youth/Central America/mid-late September

I feel like the PC poster child for "be flexible in the PC!"

New Week!

2008-07-21T00:08:00.002-05:00

12:09am

Its officially Monday.

That means 5 days, 5 new days for me to possibly hear from my PO!

I AM EXCITED!!!

Happy Birthday!

2008-07-20T11:41:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday to me! July 20th, I'm 24!

Last night, Justin and I celebrated, he took me to The Jungle. I got Chicken Kiev that came with veggies and amazing mashed potatoes. Mmmmm. He got....Garlic Shrimp Pasta? I believe that's what it was. We also had an appetizer order of potato skins. Why? Because I heart potato skins. Everything was pretty good I thought.

Then we went to his house and Justin had bought me a cake from the best cake place in town. Thick double layer, white cake. Mmm. And th

ey had birthday hats and a birthday sign for me. Cody, his brother, sang his own songs for me, they also all sang happy birthday to me. Justin got me a cute little card and a Flip! Woohoo! I love my flip. I need to find a case for it I bet.

Update: I just got on peacecorps2 to find a member had posted a message just for me!!!! I immediately went "awwwwwww how nice! how sweet!!!!! I feel special, awwww!!!"

Like The Previous Post

2008-07-18T21:08:00.004-05:00

Now, last time I posted, it was Monday, the w/e after the talk with my PO, just 1 business day. I don't know WHAT I was thinking, thinking that I was anxious/worried then. Its now Friday night, a full week after speaking to my PO. I know that everything is in the works, but every second I don't hear something, the more anxious I get. I think its that it is so close to the end and its almost a "make or break" since the nurse has to approve me, and that this is now 100% out of my hands is what gets me the most!

Really, I know people say to try not to think about it, but I can't help it, and it seems like the majority of my day is spent thinking about it. I mean, how can I not? I'm so close! Every time I think about it, I can just feel myself getting anxious....my heart speeds up, I feel the nerves, I start worrying. I'll think the worst, then reassure myself, only to second guess myself. Yikes, I need a break from thinking. Hopefully, this weekend will provide that since Sunday is my 24th birthday. Hopefully, I will have a few days of it being off my mind.

Top 2 Worries:

(1) The spot isn't really saved--that is, that it may be "saved" but someone can still take it before the nurse approves me

(2) The nurse won't approve me for the country...

I know she said 3 days to 2 weeks, so I'm smack in the middle of waiting, and I'm pretty sure she said my spot is saved for certain, but at the same time, I'm also not sure, and desperately wish I could e-mail her to double-check about that....but naturally, rule of thumb, don't e-mail the PO any earlier than you have to. And that's insanely hard to do--not email her. So far I haven't. Not sure if I can hold off til next Friday.

Someone, ease my nerves, please!!!

Oh So Worried

2008-07-14T21:30:00.003-05:00

Naturally, each business day that I have to wait, I am going to get more and more worried. I'm also terrified I'm going to jinx it. I'm a huge believer in jinxing--that you'll say or do something to jinx it and then it won't happen. :-X I just can't wait to hear, I hope I do by Friday since Sunday is my 24th birthday. It would be a great birthday present! Its all in the medical office's hands now, and for me to sit back and wait...patiently but definitely nervously! Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!

Talked to my PO! WooHoo!

2008-07-11T23:59:00.000-05:00

Yay! My PO, Amanda, called me today. I was in the middle of a conversation, saw the 202 area code, and sprinted out of the room to a quite place while saying "sorry! this is very important! brb!" Hehe :) She had said today, so I knew knew knew it was her. And it so was her.

First, she had some questions for me. Some of those questions that we hear people get asked just before being invited. You know, the ones that you are answering for the third time...first your recruiter, then your assistant PO, and now your PO. At least, I have the hang of it by this point, right? She asked about my relationship, my grandmother's death last year, my relationship with my youngest sister who I have helped out a lot, my family's thoughts on the PC, and my thoughts on some of the things people sometimes tend to not have in the PC (ie. not having running water or electricity).

Then she said she had a placement in mind that she thinks is absolutely perfect for me. Don't worry, she took plenty of time getting to telling me the actual placement (which is hilarious...simply because I do that, save the most important "needed" piece of news until last).

She said she had found this placement, and spoken to the woman in charge of that specific program in that country about me (yay!), and the woman specifically wanted me. She wanted ME! Since my TEFL certificate is about to come through, and I have experience working with Youth, she said that I am absolutely perfect for this position and she really wants me. My recruiter then said that this country has a history of accepting people with medical conditions (excellent bc of my epilepsy...I like how she thinks!)

She said if this all sounded good to me she would put my name in to reserve this placement spot for me. Of course, it sounds great! I believe that I originally had TEFL in my top 3 choices. Asked if I had any questions about that part, no not that I can think of...still can't think of any hours later. SO. She said this placement spot was reserved for me. She was sending it to medical for them to tell her if I can go there or not (but she seemed to expect it to be okay) and said it could be a few days to a couple weeks, but if they said all was a go, then she would officially be inviting me!

Its still a lot of work, but it is a HUGE step and I'm so excited. It sounds like she really worked hard for me, and even mentioned me specifically to someone, who now in turn WANTS me! Wow!

So yes, are you sitting there yelling at the computer, asking where I'm going? I hope so, because the best part is finding out.

First it was Community Development in Africa. Then it was Youth Development in Latin America.

NOW:

TEFL in Eastern Europe departing in late September 2008!

wheeeeeeeeeee! :-D

Spit

2008-07-11T23:55:00.000-05:00

you are moving through the cogs of the application process, actually more quickley then normal, Peace Corps appears to have been very accomadating for you and it really is too bad as you appear to think you are above them and spit on them while they are helping you. --unknown--

I was letting the situation with the very annoying poster on Facebook drop, but I do have to respond to this line.

Yes, I have moved through the application process very quickly, and the PC has been incredibly accommodating and helpful. My recruiter was amazing, my medical assistant got in contact with me several times, my nurse even called me several times--once to even tell me herself that I'd been cleared!, my assistant PO was great in getting back to my questions about the info he shared with me, and my PO has been the most wonderful person in the world even if she was the one who had to tell me my program was full--she's done nothing but work to find a new one, is really rooting for me, and even spoke of me specifically to someone in charge of a program.

I have had nothing but good. Sure I may have been told a thing or two or had to do a thing or two that made me grumble--ie. that my placement was full or I needed to redo my CBCs. But you know, about placement, that was fine because she was already doing so much work for me before she was off the phone and really gave me a lot of information. And CBCs, yeah, that sucked, but the nurse couldn't help it, it was just required, she just had to be the bearer of news. But she was more than helpful with everything.

Overall, while I'm not sure, it seems like I have talked to all my PC contacts more than normal people do. Mostly, on their own accord of getting in contact with me. Especially my Nurse & PO. It seems like those are the two that are the hardest to get ahold of, yet I've spoken with each several times in length and both are amazing.

In no way have I even implied I was above them. Hell, in my opinion, someone who is the key to my future is far above me and I'll do anything they ask. These people have often gone through this. Also, they work for the PC, so clearly they know stuff that I don't know and are correct in what they tell me. At most, sometimes I have questioned something because I THOUGHT I read it differently on their papers, only to find out otherwise.

In no way have been "spit[ting] on them while they are helping [me]"...each time I speak with them, I am more than polite and do nothing but thank them. I even thanked the nurse when she gave me the news that I had to redo the CBC & send in old results. Why? Because I'm thanking her for taking the time to help me get past that step, even if it is her job. I think I have been lucky enough to have some of the best employees at the PC work with me. I am highly considering sending them thank you cards for everything they've done, because I truly appreciate it more than anything. They've done so much and made this process a lot easier for me than I thought is would be.

So. Am I above them and spitting on them? Absolutely not, and I find it insulting someone would imply that.

My Nurse?

2008-07-10T16:46:00.002-05:00

I got a 202-area code call this morning and jumped up thinking it was my PO. To my (GREAT) surprise, it was my PC nurse. She said she needed me to write two more personal statements.

SE Asian Food Aversion: I had mentioned this to my recruiter, in terms of placement. Silly me. She wanted me to write something about when it happens, if I know what ingredient it is, what happens to me when it does happen, if I've ever had to take medicine or visit a doctor when it happens. I explained to her that it was more of a food taste that I didn't like, but it wasn't anything physical or medical at all. She said that was good, but needed me to write it anyway.
Medical Concern: Somewhere, I have no idea where, I had written that I left IU for a semester for medical reasons. I had NO clue what she was talking about for a minute. Finally, I remembered, and said it was due to my epilepsy which they already had documentation of. She said that was good too, but she just needed me to write a quite something about it.

My nurse also told me if she didn't have it by the end of the day she'd have to put my file on hold again UGH. I told her I'd fax it to her within the hour, which she seemed extremely happy about and said she would be circling the fax machine. That's good right!? Good that she seemed so happy it'd be there asap. And isn't it good that she seemed to imply that both of these things were not big deals, but more formalities instead of "life or death?" That's good too I think.

Here comes my question: why was I contacted by my nurse? Was she bored and randomly reviewing my file/clearance? I doubt it since they are super busy. Had she realized that she missed something with my file that needed to be done? Doubt that she for some reason was thinking particularly of me out of the hundreds of people she deals with (though I have now talked to her 4 times on the phone which seems to me to be typically unusual concerning PC nurses)

To me, the only possible reason that she would have to open my file and look at it and decide she wanted that small bit of information was if my PO contacted her about a possible placement. (Since I have a restriction, my PO has to clear my placement with her before inviting me.) That is the only reason I can come up with. In that case, it seems like she'll have gotten back to my PO today, and I could reasonably get invited tomorrow?

Anyone? Thoughts? Any other ideas on why I was contacted by my nurse after being cleared and having spoken to the PO about new placement options?

Scoobie Doo

2008-07-09T22:46:00.003-05:00

So, did everyone read the post about the missing dog I found? If not see below. I found the owners, and talked to them, but wasn't able to get back to them immediately. By the time I did call them back, only 1 day later, they had called my cell, my sister's cell, my home number, and my dads office 30+ times. The ONLY way they could've gotten the numbers besides my cell would have been to use the system at the prosecutors office, where the mother works, to illegally look up and use those numbers to harass me and my family. They left messages over and over saying we had to call them back, they didn't appreciate this, they would do anything to get the dog back. Finally they started leaving message after message that they had contacted a lawyer. There were going to call the police. They would be filing charges against me for theft.

I called them back when I got off work, and I told them nicely, but made it obvious that I was not happy with them, that I did not appreciate them calling me and my family 30+ times between 8am and 3pm, harassing us, and threatening to charge us with theft. I said that it had been 24 hours since I had talked with them, and while I understand they are eager to get their dog back, they don't know what is going on in my life, and that in fact, I had an emergency last night that prevented me from calling them, and then had to work all day. I said this was the first chance I could contact them. I reminded them that I found their dog, took their dog to a vet, fed and watered their dog, and even carried the dog to the yard to go to the bathroom since she couldn't walk at first. Finally, I said that this was in NO WAY considered theft, they should be thankful I took care of their dog, and it had only been 24-hours since I'd spoken with them and they had no clue what was going on in my life. I said I didn't appreciate the harassment or the illegal finding/using of my numbers. Then I took the dog to a public place to give back to them.

In PC news, I still haven't heard. I should be hearing literally any second! Hopefully tomorrow. If not, I'll call back Friday afternoon. So I'm pretty much nomination-less, stuck in priority limbo with a restriction, and going crazy waiting to hear about an invite! :) Its great. I actually sorta secretly like the fact that I have absolutely NO CLUE where I'll end up now. Of course, Latin America is most likely since its my region, but now it could literally change to any other region! Excitement!!!

Talked To My PO

2008-07-07T17:29:00.003-05:00

I called IAP today and got in contact with my PO, Amanda, right away. Despite the news, she was absolutely great with everything.

She said that unfortunately, my program filled up right when I was medically cleared, so she would have to start looking at other placements. She asked if I was open to different regions, and I said I was absolutely open to all the other regions, even different work areas if that would help at all. I also told her that I wasn't sure if she knew, but I am expecting a TEFL certificate and First Aid/CPR certificate in a couple weeks in case that helped my placement at all. She thanked me for being so open to everything. Amanda said that my file was in her priority stack, and since I have a medical restriction, its even more prioritized than the others.

WOOHOO PRIORITY FOR ME.

I also asked about the 6-week rule rumor, and said that if possible, I was willing to leave slightly under 6-weeks. She said that the 6-week rule is indeed true, and they try to stick to it strictly and never invite people after 6-weeks. Of course, we've all seen people get invited under 6, but usually its the people in the most need and stuff--ie. program got canceled, they are a couple, medical botched up and they actually can't go there...you know, stuff like that. I'm sure that's not something a PO will tell you, that there are exceptions, they don't want that officially out there and everyone flooding them to leave tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm on my POs super priority list. She said to call back Friday if I haven't heard by then, and she gave me her direct line. WOOHOO! Back to semi-square one on the nomination front though.

Nomination: Unknown.

Oh Invite, Where are You?

2008-07-04T18:12:00.004-05:00

Okay, really getting nervous, PO...PO...where are you and where is my invite? Nerves are kicking in!

Lost Dog :(

2008-07-04T00:26:00.003-05:00

The poor puppy, I was driving to lunch today and found this dog. I wish we could keep her, she's such a sweet dog. She seems to be a Pit Bull, and American Pit Bull Terrier. Very sweet.

She was laying in some soccer fields off the road, and something struck me as odd, so I went to check it out. I approached slow, since I didn't know the dog, and as soon as I got up to her, she rolled on her side. I patted my legs for her to stand up, and when she did, she immediately started shaking and had to collapse back to the ground. She had some sore-marks around her neck, and her paw pads were completely ripped up. When she stood up you could see just how thin and boney she was.

I called my sister (since we live basically down the street) and she brought water (which was instantly completely gone) and a tiny bit of dog food (not too much since she hadn't been eating, that was also instantly gone). We called around to the Humane Society, Animal Control, and PAWS but couldn't get anyone. Finally, we called my cousin, animal person and used to work at a vets, and she suggested taking her to Parkdale Animal Hospital since they were open and take walk-ins. We had to carry the poor dog to the car.

When we got there, I went into the office while Caitlin waited in the car with the dog, and told them I had a walk in, no leash or collar bc we found her on the side of the road. I swear to you, their entire office ran out. The vet, an older man, carried her inside through a side door that enters into a check-up room. All the front desk girls, vet techs, and other vets were in the room. People would walk by, stick their heads in. So many times we and others would explain where we found her, how, and what was wrong. Mostly what was wrong was her feet--from running around so long and especially on concrete a lot, her pads were just shredded up. The vet had to clip a lot of skin off and bandage them. Also, they gave her a shot--she didn't even flinch! Finally, they gave us a bag of food, pain killers, and antibiotics for the next 5 days...as well as the vet visit--all free of charge, just because they were so happy we had helped her.

Right now, she's at my mom's house in the garage. Let me tell you, my mother is not happy. Her first words were "ITS A PIT BULL!!!!!!!!" ....but really, we looked it up, and these dogs, despite the bad stigma they have, are actually great companion dogs with good temperaments. Which is good. My mom is giving us 48 hours to find her home :( Then we have to take her some place else...who knows where...*sigh* But at least we've helped her for now. She's feeling better, slept all day, has started to try to walk, but is clearly wobbly and in pain and can't stand for long. She's eating and drinking, which is good. We are making sure she doesn't eat too much since she hasn't had food.

So this is one of 2 flyers we made. This one we are going to put in places like the grocery or coffee shops in the area--places where you'll actually see the flyer close up and can stop and look. I like it because I think the flyer is eye-catching. The other flyer is just big bold black letters, saying the same things, but spaced out line by line. That one will be for putting on like poles and stop signs. We also put an ad in the news paper (online, and maybe print? we aren't sure) and craigslist. But I'm going to make SURE if I get a call, that it is actually their dog...something identifying...like give me her name and see if she responds...or tell me about her markings. Something.

What a sweetie.

Wish me luck on finding her owners! So sad. Hopefully we find them soon. Hrm...I should put flyers at firework stores/stands...

Assistant E-mail

2008-07-01T23:44:00.003-05:00

The assistant to the PO e-mailed me today. He said he needed me to do 2 things before he could pass my file off to my PO for placement. He needed me to fill out another Romantic Involvement worksheet--different from the first one and asks mostly about if there are any changes in your relationship and stresses questions on "what if" scenarios about your relationship & the PC.

Next, he wanted an updated resume. I added my CMOE summer camp experience on there, that will end August 1st. I also added 2 certificates on there. I don't yet have them, but expect both this month and told him I would fax copies with I receive them. The first is for Adult/Infant/Child CPR & First Aid, the 2nd is for an online TEFL course I've been taking.

So I sent all of that off with the promise of faxing those certificates as soon as I receive them. Luckily, neither of those really effect them being able to place me, they are just extra things I've done. Hopefully, I hear something in the next 2 days!!!!!!

Ring Finger

2008-06-28T12:12:00.001-05:00

Cute video (minus the creepy voice) about why we wear our wedding ring on our ring finger.

Application Essays

2008-06-26T22:17:00.001-05:00

I'm way past the point of application essays, but I saw someone who is stuck on theirs...as was I. I searched the internet for examples, and actually found a pretty good "outline" online. More so a list of points to hit and stuff.

You can find it here, at Application Tips

MEDICALLY CLEARED!

2008-06-25T15:43:00.003-05:00

I was MEDICALLY CLEARED!!!!!! I woke up to a Peace Corps e-mail saying check your ToolKit, so I did, and it said what you can see in the picture on the left. I was like WAHOO!

Later, around 9:30am, I got a phone call while I was at camp. It was my nurse, Tracy. You can't even imagine what nerves she created in me. I thought it was a mistake, or they actually needed something else. Something!? But really she was just calling to say she got the CBCs, everything was fine, and she wanted to let me know that I was cleared! I was really excited, because not only was I cleared, but my nurse personally called to tell me! From what I hear, not only do you very rarely hear directly from nurses (usually only via your screening assistant), but its even more rare for them to call you to give you the news about being Medically Cleared!

SOOOOOO RELIEVED!!!!!!

GRE

2008-06-24T16:17:00.003-05:00

I took the GRE this morning. Awful, just awful. I think the writing went okay because that's my strong point. (so if it comes back in the mail with a not so great score, I'll cry). I did awful on verbal and math. Verbal I got a 450, Math I got a 460. Yes, exactly, my sentiments exactly: what the holy hell? I didn't do great on my SAT, but got a 1030. So What the hell is this GRE 910 score!? I really am trying to cop it up to the fact that I've been out of school and not doing too much for a year. But seriously? I will be retaking it again. Probably before I leave, maybe also during PC if I can't seem to get a good score. Because I'm sorry, but a 910 is just absolutely unacceptable. *sigh*

1,000

2008-06-23T20:48:00.002-05:00

Bailey found this and posted it on Facebook's "Future Peace Corps Volunteer" board. Its pretty crazy to think about. Makes us realize how lucky we are in this world.

If the world were a village of 1,000 people, it would include:

· 584 Asians
· 124 Africans
· 95 East and West Europeans
· 84 Latin Americans
· 55 Soviets (including for the moment Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians and other national groups)
· 52 North Americans
· 6 Australians and New Zealanders

The people of the village have considerable difficulty in communicating:

· 165 people speak Mandarin
· 86 English
· 83 Hindi/Urdu
· 64 Spanish
· 58 Russian
· 37 Arabic
That list accounts for the mother tongues of only half the villagers. The other half speak (in descending order of frequency) Bengali, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French and 200 other languages.

In this village of 1,000 there are:

· 329 Christians (among them 187 Catholics, 84 Protestants, 31 Orthodox)
· 178 Moslems
· 167 "non-religious"
· l32 Hindus
· 60 Buddhists
· 45 atheists
· 3 Jews
· 86 all other religions

In the village of 1,000 people, there are:

· 5 soldiers
· 7 teachers
· 1 doctor
· 3 refugees driven from home by war or drought

Education
700 would be illiterate
10 would have a college education

Health and Life
500 would be malnourished
330 would not have clean, safe drinking water
10 would be near death; and 10 would be near birth
800 would live in substandard housing
890 would be heterosexual
110 would be homosexual
480 would be Male
520 would be female

Faxed

2008-06-23T15:29:00.003-05:00

The CBCs and letter have been faxed to the nurse at the PC. When I asked my doctor's nurse, she sounded so annoyed I should be calling. Tomorrow I'm going to go pick up copies of everything that was faxed. Just to be sure.

Update: I got the copies of my CBC and the letter. The doctor wrote a really great letter. "As per your request of June 16, 2008, I did a repeat CBC on Ms. Walker today. Please find enclosed a copy of the results. You will notice that her hemoglobin, white count and platelet count are completely normal but that she has a mild lymphocytosis. That would appear to be just normal for Ms. Walker. This mild lymphocytosis has been present without any evidence of any disease since I first met her in 2002. She is a fine, bright, and hard-working young lady whom I am sure will be an asset to your organization. If there is any other information you require, please just let me know" Hopefully, it works, and I get cleared. Oh please give me clearance now!

This & That

2008-06-20T21:31:00.004-05:00

First, I'm pretty sure the dog is behind the couch trying to catch an ant. We've recently had an unexplained rash of ants in our living room at night. They are harder to get rid of than we thought. :-/

Also, I'm scared to call back to my doctor's to see if my CBCs have been faxed off to my PC Nurse. Scared because the person I have to talk to scares me! Instead, I emailed my nurse asking if she could shoot me a line when she received those, and that I e-mailed her so she could do it just whenever she got to it. I know she's busy.

Today is Friday, June 20th. With the 6 week rule on invitations, August 1st and after are the programs I could be invited to. Realistically since if I were cleared today and my PO only started working on me Monday, it could be August 4th and later. Seriously, this is getting down to the wire and I'm so not comfortable with it.

I found out my blog has been helpful in at least one instance! When I was initially applying, I read several blogs from the beginning of their application process all the way through to invitation and service. It was really amazing and beyond helpful for me to see what actually happens in the application process--technically and emotionally. I feel like it really prepared me and I haven't been too shocked by anything so far. That's why I decided to start this blog the day after I applied. I thought just in case someone who was applying saw it, maybe it'd be useful. Of course, I think sometimes I get carried away with how many posts I do, but oh well. I like it, I have fun. :) But I saw someone who borrowed part of my blog about the book "So You Want to Join the Peace Corps?" I was really glad to see that, because it let me know my blog has been helpful for at least one person!

I was also correct in my assumption about the dog and the ants.

Beh

2008-06-19T15:22:00.002-05:00

This morning I took a little note over to the doctors basically just stating I needed my SSN on the forms and the PC now needed 2006 and 2007 CBC results in addition to the CBC results from yesterday and the doctor's note.

I just called over there. My doctor, he himself, told me to call there this afternoon to see if it had been sent off yet or the progress. The nurse who always answers seemed very put off that I was calling and was not exactly rude, but not exactly polite. Beh! I just wanted to ask if it had been faxed, in which case I could then call the PC to make sure they received it. I also wanted to make sure she received my note I took over, she said yes. She said she had everything sitting ready to fax--the 3 CBC results from yesterday, '06, and '07, but was waiting on "his dictation." "well, I don't know what you want me to do, your results are back, but his dictation isn't ready, I won't have that until tomorrow of course!" ...Sorry, I wasn't aware it took 2 days to write a dictation. I was aware that he is very busy and thus it might take until he could fit it into his schedule, but I was pretty sure it took a quick glance at the results and about 5 minutes or less to write a note of several lines and then sign his name. Sorry. Also, he was the one who told me to call today! So, sorry again.

I guess instead of calling her again tomorrow, I will call or e-mail my nurse, Tracy, to see if she's gotten them yet.

BEH!

Little Update

2008-06-18T21:26:00.003-05:00

Well isn't today just the day of information!

I got an e-mail from Cali today 1/2way imploring me to get online. Obviously she had some PC news. She called IAP today to see if she could get any e-mails from others going to Guatemala since she has found absolutely no one else. Poor girl! Somewhere in her brilliant mind, she thought to ask what other programs are being sent to Guatemala this time around. They said the 2 programs are Municipal Development and Sustainable Agriculture.

So looks like I most likely won't be heading to Guatemala either. Belize still seems to be the most likely option, always has. At the same time it looks more likely that I have the potential of being pushed back to September. The options there are Peru, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. I'd love any of those countries. I'm pretty sure all those have Youth programs, thought I'm not sure which are sending Youth there this time around.

Suppose you'll have to stay tuned to find out the glorious invitation information! (which by the way, I'm not too much closer, but am a little closer, to obtaining!)

More CBC

2008-06-18T18:20:00.003-05:00

I called my doctor to tell the nurse to put my SSN on the fax so they'd know who I was. Then I started making the pasta for our neighbors next door who just had a baby boy. Then ran to Target to get them a little baby gift. While I was searching for one, my PC nurse, Tracy, called me. She said she had talked to her head-MO-person, and he still wanted me to redo my CBC and have the doctor write a note. However, in addition to that, he wanted me to also fax a 2006 and 2007 CBC in with it!!!!!!! UGH! Had I not called, I wouldn't have to do that. Granted, maybe it'll get me cleared faster than if I didn't and didn't have to send them in, but maybe its just more unnecessary work that I wouldn't of had to do otherwise! Beh.

So since I'll be volunteering at the day camp tomorrow, I will have to go in right away at 8am to make sure they put my SSN on the fax cover letter, and include 2006, 2007 CBCs. I'm lucky, because I think most people wouldn't have that information, but I do because I have to get tested at least once a year due to my medicine. Just. Aye.

CBC-Done

2008-06-18T16:02:00.002-05:00

Today at 2:30 I went to see the doctor. He was absolutely clueless as to why the Medical Office for the PC was finding my CBC abnormal, especially with his note stating that it was not abnormal due to my medicine. It looked like it really frustrated him, because it was adding more work to his busy schedule for no reason. He ordered the 2nd CBC, and said that he would look at it tomorrow afternoon, write the note to the PC, and fax it off. He told me to call him in a few days to make sure it got sent. When I got my blood drawn, I told them it needed to be faxed to him as soon as it was done, and they said that they would have the results and fax it to him with in the half hour! Woohoo! I hope. I will call back tomorrow.

Medical Hold!

2008-06-17T13:46:00.005-05:00

YAY!

No, this doesn't mean I'm cleared, and while "HOLD" in bright red, bold letters seems indescribably scary, it really means that they have just started to actively review my file. It may mean they've opened it, it may mean they'll clear me tomorrow, they may have just simply moved it from the left side of the desk to the right side! But it means my medical file has advanced. Sometimes during this hold, they request you to send something else in--and I'm praying they don't; sometimes they just clear you the next day! That's what we are hoping for, the later. Anyway, I'm just glad it had progressed! WOOHOO!

UPDATE: Immediately after writing this, I received a visit from FedEx baring an envelope from the PC. It said:

Dear Ms. Walker
Thank you for submitting your medical information. During the review of your medical kit, we find the submitted information to be incomplete. To continue your medical review process, please provide the requested documentation below.
1. The results of your CBC revealed an abnormal finding. You must have a repeat CBC and submit report. If abnormalities persist, your physician must evaluate your condition and submit documentation that includes a diagnosis, etiology, and treatment plan.
In order to keep your file active, we need the above documentation. Fax all the information together to the Office of Medical Services. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Tracy
Office of Medical Services

So...while I naturally didn't want this, its an easy quick fix. I went to the doctor's office and asked for my nurse practitioner...she's apparently out of town for 3 weeks...whaaaaaaa? So I ask for the doctor, and they asked me to come in tomorrow at 2:30 so he could actually talk to me. That's good I guess, tho I rather would've gotten it out of the way today, but I understand. I showed the nurse at the front desk, and while she was confused about the whole process, she was especially confused about why they didn't accept the letter from Dr. Hambidge that said "This is a clarification of the lab values of Jenna Walker. Her Complete Blood Count is within normal limits and as expected for an individual whom is receiving dialproex." I already knew before hand my Depakote ER could make my levels slightly abnormal. I looked at the test results I have copies of, and literally, one is too high by .1, another is too low by 1. Wow.
I called my screening assistant, Lisa, to ask about this, only to find out that she's out of town for a week (is everyone?). There was a number to forward me onto the nurses office, so I did that and they forward me onto my screeening nurse, Tracy. They told me ahead of time that Tracy is out for the day, but I left a message and hopefully she calls me back. I asked about if this was really necessary since, as my doctor stated, even tho the CBC levels are abnormal for a normal person, the fact that I'm taking dialproex makes them normal. I said that I had an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, and if I didn't hear back from her about it, I would go ahead and get it done since I understand. Nearly hung up without leaving my number! Woops! Good thing I caught that! So that's the update for now.

Blah!

2008-06-16T15:55:00.003-05:00

Seriously, I know everyone takes their turn waiting for medical, but it is frustrating when I see someone say "I got medically cleared! When should I hear about a September/October/November invite?" It just makes me stop and think...if you can clear someone for one of those months, after August...why can't you clear me now. They've had my medical kit for over a month...I leave in August. They said mid-August, but it is August. 2 months away. I know they only have to give me 6-weeks notice. But if she told me they can't clear me yet because they are still working on people leaving before me...but then they go clear Sept/Oct/Nov people...what gives!? Seriously? I haven't even heard anything about them glancing at it. All I've heard is "we have it, but your nurse hasn't even looked at it yet" ....if my nurse is the nurse Melissa had, I'm in for a real treat. Basically, I had everything done correctly, I had doctor's write notes, I even supplied an extra personal statement. The only 2 questionable things would be the "asthma" from last summer which turned out to not be asthma and just needed a tonsillectomy and now I'm fine, and of course the epilepsy...and I haven't had a seizure in 5 years. I'm also half concerned that since the Kiribati program got canceled, the programs I'm qualified for will get filled up and then I won't have a place.

One question. Should I get my tonsillectomy record and send it into the PC? They didn't request it, but what if they put me on hold because they want to see it and then I'll have to wait longer. Should I just go ahead and get it and fax it in now? Or just cross my fingers that they won't question a tonsillectomy that many people seem to get at some point.

What I'm saying, is that, I'm just frustrated. They can't get to my medical clearance for August because they are clearing people leaving before me, but they can clear people for months leaving after me? Really? Just the way of the PC I guess.

Ayeeeeeee

2008-06-15T18:52:00.003-05:00

I'm sure everyone joining the PC has the emotions of: (1) I absolutely can't wait to get there and do all these great things and learn so much, and (2) I can't leave, I can't leave my family, I can't, I can't, I don't know what I'll do with out them. And I'm sure people have them to varying degrees! With me, I can't wait to find out my country, meet my fellow PCVs, meet the HCNs, and do the work that's expected of me. Then, I will also have the deep feeling that I absolutely can't go and be away from Justin and not have him around me. When I feel like that, I have just the deepest ache throughout my whole body. But when I'm excited about the PC, I absolutely am excited, overjoyed, and completely impatient! And I hate that I have the pull of two extremes like that. Bleh.

Kiribati--Canceled?

2008-06-14T11:45:00.004-05:00

I was reading a girl's PC website. She had received an invitation to serve in Kiribati, a group of islands the PC serves in the Pacific, very near Australia. Apparently, she received a call yesterday, naturally Friday the 13th, and was told that the Kiribati program was canceled. Apparently, flights to the islands have become so infrequent that PC can't assure medical care if necessary. The country director thought that since this is quite important, it would be best to suspend the program. I think last time they send a group to kiribati, they got pulled after a few days and ended up being placed elsewhere. The girl put it this way on her blog:

All programs in Kiribati have been indefinitely suspended due to the infrequency of flights to the outer islands - they could not guarantee prompt medical care in an emergency so the country director decided this was best.

What's more, I had just seen lots of people get invitations to Kiribati in the last few weeks. Sad day.

Update: I have read 2 more blogs also stating the Kiribati program is suspended...sad but true. I can't even imagine if I were those people.

Calm

2008-06-11T17:45:00.005-05:00

I've been trying to calm down. :) Today was much needed I think. I worked out, tried to tackle the crazy animals again, and went to my grandpa's to swim and sunbathe. Of course, if you know me I don't tan or burn so I'm just as pale as when I started.

Last night I tried to refocus and get excited again. Looked at some more things I may need for the Peace Corps, which I've been putting on my Amazon Wish List. You may notice a new found collection of Pink Ribbon stuff I'm putting on there. A very good friend of the family that I've known nearly my whole life has a rare type of breast cancer that she found out about around this time last year. She's doing all right. But my family has since taken to whole-heartedly buying anything Pink Ribbon.

I also updated the country list that Bailey and I did. I'm glad to see some new countries in September like Nicaragua and El Salvador! At this point, any country seems so beyond great. My most likely regions still are probably Latin America and Europe and both of those are great with me. Both are extremely different and both have amazing perks. We will have to see. The August/September Latin America countries I could go to are: Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, El Salvador, and Nicaragua! WOW. The August/September Europe countries I could go to are Macedonia and the Ukraine. Countries in July that I still could ever so slightly possibly get are Bulgaria and South Africa.

Little things of note:

My Justin is out in San Francisco for some WWDC action. I wasn't able to make it out this year :( I miss him!
My mom said she might pay for a plane ticket for me to fly to NY to visit my friend Reena whom I haven't seen since June 21st last year.
The dog was standing on the side of the couch, super excited, when suddenly she plummeted off. THUD. It sounded like a dictionary dropping on our wood floors. She was completely stunned for a second and when she finally moved she came over to me and whimpered.
Shoot, better go dry my bangs since my sister is coming back in for the shower

So really, I'm trying to calm down about medical a little. It'll happen when it happens, I'll go where I go. It may be August but it could be July or September. Yeah? So while I'm still slightly constantly thinking about medical, I've tried to breathe deep and relax. It'll happen.

You Have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME

2008-06-10T12:05:00.003-05:00

My medical screening assistant replied to my e-mail at 7:30 am her time.

Jenna,

We received your kit at the end of May. Your nurse has not yet had a chance to begin the review. This is our busiest time of year and we’re currently working to clear applicants that are leaving with earlier programs. We’re aware of your timeline and will do our best to help you make your program.

Thanks for your patience and let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help you out.

Best,

Lisa, Medical Assistant
Peace Corps Office of Medical Services

Again...you have got to be royally kidding me with a big f.u. They haven't even opened my medical file! What the holy hell! Ummm AUGUST PEOPLE! Its almost the beginning of JUNE! Like 2 months before I am leaving. Please, seriously, are they still clearing people for July? BECAUSE I DOUBT IT! Maybe a few here or there. But please, seriously!? That was just a big smack in the face for me to wake up to at 6:30am. Just ...ugh.

Several Things!

2008-06-09T21:52:00.003-05:00

So I e-mailed my screening assistant today. I didn't get a chance to until late, unfortunately, because I was hoping for a response today, but I'll be waiting until at least tomorrow now. Oh well, right? Well, hope to hear something from her tomorrow. This is what I wrote, trying to be polite and concise:

Lisa,

Hi, I know you are probably swamped with work, but I wanted to touch base with you about the status of my medical kit clearance. I have received dental clearance, and am waiting on medical clearance.

It is possible that I will have a restriction, so I'm just hoping to be cleared sooner rather than later in case my nomination can't support the restriction. That way I would have as many departure dates as possible still open for my placement officer to work with.

Also, I wanted to see if your office needed any thing else from me for medical; I haven't heard of the need for any more forms or updates from me yet, so I hope I am good on that end! :)

Thanks for your time Lisa!
I appreciate it!

Jenna E Walker
SSN: ***-**-****

So that's it, nothing special, but I think it works.

Also, today I went to the bank because my CD (certificate of deposit) was up and I needed to do something with it. This holds it in the bank for a set period of time with a monthly percentage increase. I took some money out so I can get a new computer this weekend when I go to Indy. I put the rest back in for a 3.5% monthly interest rate. The big thing though is that I put it back in the bank, into the CD for TWO YEARS. It sorta hit me that yes it is going to happen and I've sorta already started doing stuff even before my medical clearance and invitation.

The other day, Wednesday, Thursday maybe? My sister, her fiance Cory, and I were at the mall...really just looking for pants for him and my Justin. Well, we got those. But then we fell into a shoe store. I found both Chacos and Keens at this place and decided to try them on to decide what I liked best. I really liked them both, but liked the Chacos better because their was more freedom and less chance of blisters. Then they asked what I'd be using them for. When I replied Peace Corps, probably in Latin America, they immediately got excited about Eccos and said I must try them on, they are the most comfortable shoe with great support and will last for years. They brought them out in my size and I thought "ehhh...no....I don't like what they look like really" but tried them on. As soon as I started to put my foot in I thought "oh shit, its over, its completely over, I'm done in." and couldn't help but buy them. I'm going to contact Ecco before I wear them to see if I can get a discount from them, if so I'll return them, if not I'll start wearing them ASAP. They are more comfortable than you could ever wildly imagine. They fit perfectly--even my wide flat feet--and had a great amount of support.

If you are thinking about Chacos, Keens, or Tevas....definitely try Eccos on. They are pretty expensive, but insanely worth it, more than I could ever describe. Only your feet can describe how perfect they are!

Time

2008-06-08T23:03:00.002-05:00

I think if I don't get an e-mail indicating Medical Clearance tomorrow, I'll send Lisa, my screening assistant an e-mail. I guess I'll quickly/politely ask about my status with everything and if I need to supply them with any more information. I'll state I'm anxious about it because it is possibly I'll have a restriction and if my nomination doesn't support that restriction, I want to have as many country departure dates as open as possible to work with. I think that pretty much sums it up briefly and nicely! I'm just anxious! If I didn't have a restriction, I'd still be anxious. How nice would it be for me to be cleared and they tell me I DON'T have an epileptic restriction!?!? Dream on, Jenna, dream on.

Okay, Seriously.

2008-06-06T13:56:00.003-05:00

I know that most people have to wait months on end for Medical Clearance, but the fact remains that my departure month is set for August. That said, I won't be waiting too long for medical clearance. They've been "reviewing" (according to the ToolKit) my medical for over 2 weeks now. I really really did think it would be cleared this week. I am going to have a medical restriction that dramatically reduces the amount of countries I can go to, not to mention that gets cut down even further when you take into account that I can only work in certain work areas.

I truly hope to have as many options open as I can in case my nomination must be moved around, as is very likely. A lot of July is already not an option due to the 6-week rule, and of course not all those are epileptic countries! There is August, and of course September, but after that they send very very few people out until Jan/Feb...and I must leave before December. I want to get cleared ASAP.

That said, for my actual nomination and looking at a couple of the dates, I must get invited by about July 6th. That's exactly a month from now. So really!? Where is my medical clearance!?!? I need it badly! I need options open!!!! I NEED TO GET IT AND FIND OUT WHERE I AM GOING! Please medical office please god clear me!!!!

Does anyone think I should send Lisa Backstrom, my medical screening assistant, an e-mail like hey hey, where is that clearance? If so what should I say!?

6 Week Rule

2008-06-04T16:10:00.003-05:00

The rule with the Peace Corps is that you must be invited 6 weeks before the country departure date. Today is Wednesday the 4th, so assuming I get cleared this week and invited next week (this is just ever hopeful) That would put me up to the very middle of July, the week of July 13-19 as the "earliest" July programs I could be invited to if that were to be the case. Those last July programs I could possibly be invited to are Cape Verde, South Africa, Bulgaria, and Zambia. While I'd naturally be loving any one of them....I know S. Africa accepts epileptics, but I'm actually not to keen on going there. I don't know if Bulgaria does, but since its in Europe, it is more likely to accept epileptics. So out of the last July possibilities, sadly Honduras is now out of the running most likely, I'd hope for Bulgaria--there ARE Youth and Community Dev projects there, which are the 2 I'm most qualified for.

Next up comes the month of August. Time wise, I could still be invited to any of those countries. Panama, Uganda, Guatemala, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Belize, Dominican Republic, Eastern Caribbean, Kiribati. Again, any would be great! Panama seems out because it seems to be business, not youth (or community)...I doubt they accept epileptics in Uganda, Kazakhstan, or Kiribati. But Guate, Belize, Dom Rep, E. Caribbean are all likely epileptic candidate countries, and Philippines, tho I'm not sure, is a possibility. Dom Rep doesn't seem likely b/c of the work areas, E. Caribbean is possible but less likely. Assuming Guatemala, Belize, and Philippines all accept epileptic, they all have Youth. Belize is most likely, but I'd LOVE to go to Guatemala to work in their brand new Youth program.

If I can't get in for August, then comes September. The only countries that could possibly accept epileptics (just off my guesses usually) are: Peru, Macedonia, Azerbaijan (maybe), & Ukraine. I know for a fact Macedonia accepts epileptics, and while they don't have Youth, they do have Community which I could do, or possibly education since I'll have a TEFL certificate by the time I leave (but no classroom experience :-/ ). Peru, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine are all maybes as far as I can see on the epilepsy end. The only "possibility" I'd have in Azerbaijan is TEFL, Ukraine has TEFL and Youth...and Peru has Community Health Promotion & Youth.

Okay, so basically...to sum it up...I cannot be invited to a program less than 6 weeks away from departure. In July this leaves South Africa & Bulgaria. In August, the possible countries are Guatemala, Belize, Eastern Caribbean, & maybe Philippines. Finally, in September, most likely possibilities are Macedonia, Peru, and Ukraine. Of course I have my favorites, but I can't get my hopes up for anything.

I predict that tomorrow morning I awake to find a ToolKit update stating that I'm medically cleared.

Dream #5 Billion

2008-06-04T08:40:00.002-05:00

God only knows how many Peace Corps dreams I've had, but I had a dream that I received my letter that I was medically cleared! I predict that I get cleared today and find out tomorrow. Fingers crossed all!

etjeaohtyeaktya

2008-06-03T18:27:00.000-05:00

Really, medical clearance...its about time, where where are you??? :(

Update

2008-06-01T00:26:00.003-05:00

No, sorry, nothing interesting. Still no update from the MO. So far I haven't heard that I'm cleared :( But I haven't heard that they need more from me :-D

A girl with a similar nomination, same region/month...we have been following each others medical progress. We sent our medkits in about a week apart from each other. She got dentally cleared, 2 days later I got dentally & legally cleared and she also got legally cleared. Two thursdays ago I got an update they they received and began looking through my medkit, and 2-3 days later she got that update. However, today she got a letter in the mail requesting additional information. Scared me because so far we've been pretty on par with each other! However, my hope is that since they started with my medical a few days before hers, that I might be out of the clear for that. Yet, unfortunately, its entirely possible I'm not. But lets keep optimistic!

I sent a couple doctors who were handling my medkits thank you notes for everything they did. (the ones who did a lot of work for it and weren't jerk-offs about it like certain neurologists) A few days ago I was in Target and decided that if I get invited, I want to send the people who recommended me, and all the doctors who wrote anything for me thank you notes and information about my country and work. So I bought a pretty pack of thank you notes for them. Just something so simple, but sort of reaffirmed in my head that yes I'm doing this and am so close to it!

Oh, medical clearance, medical clearance...come out come out where ever you are!

Whining!!!!!!!

2008-05-30T21:06:00.003-05:00

Hrm, so its Friday. I didn't get a ToolKit update today about medical clearance. Which means I now have to wait until Monday...but actually Tuesday...Technically, I supposed I could still get a ToolKit update tomorrow morning if they cleared me today since nothing ever goes through until 4am anyway. But if not tomorrow morning, then I'll have to wait until Tuesday b/c if they were to clear me Monday, I wouldn't get the update until Tuesday morning when I check my e-mail. Maybe. Maybe. Keep your fingers crossed. I WANT MY CLEARANCE! Waaaah :'( I wanna know....:(

Support

2008-05-28T23:33:00.003-05:00

Support is very important in the Peace Corps, it supplies encouragement and strength when you need it, it helps you get over those little bumps in the road, and reminds you that you aren't crazy and that you're doing the right thing. Unfortunately, it really seems like I don't have support. Its not that most people are adamantly and outspokenly against me, but you can definitely tell they think I shouldn't do it.

It is frustrating because I get so excited and try to talk to them about it and am met with answers of several words or a quick topic change. My dad, who I wish was really super excited about it, seems to only care enough to fear for me (which is good of course) and be planning a trip around it. He won't say it, but he gives the vibe that says he thinks its a bad idea and I need to get a job instead. He pretends to be interested, but even as I talk to him, I know he isn't. My mom....its weird because she's excited but indifferent. She see's it as an adventure that she never got to do and tells everyone about it, but doesn't really want to hear about it. Maybe she really is excited but just doesn't want to think about the fact that I'll be away for so long? But I just find that odd b/c she and I aren't that close, plus my being away means she has my cat for 27 months longer than expected. My youngest sisters ignores it completely, and Caitlin, the middle just sorta does the "I don't like it and I couldn't do it and I don't really get it, but..if you want to, I know you will."

One aunt thinks it suits me perfectly as long as I am safe. Another aunt thinks its honorable but that I shouldn't do it. My sister's fiance, Cory, thinks its exciting as hell and just wants to visit. My grandma just wants me to be safe, understandable. Oh, Cory's dad thought it was the best thing on earth and couldn't stop telling me how amazing I was for doing it--I really needed that. My gpa's wife sorta did the "well, if you want, but maybe think about other options because I just don't know." My nurse practitioner told me to my face that she thought I was crazy. Granted I think she's the greatest, but I don't think this is crazy!

And of course my love. He hates it. He doesn't want me to leave. He thinks it is stupid, weird, crazy, odd, awful, etc etc etc. He says if I leave we are over the day after I leave. I say I will work as hard as possible to maintain our relationship, but he doesn't want to. I don't blame him for being upset, because I sprung him on this very suddenly and after 5 years of dating and about a year and a half of plans to move in together. But more than anything, I want his acceptance of this. Although I'd love him to be excited with me and make plans to visit me, I at least want his acceptance in that he is okay with my being gone to do this and will try with me to make this work. I want to be with him more than anything in the world, and I know our lives are for each other and we are supposed to be together (as crazy different as we are :) we work so much).....but he says Peace Corps = Over, ...I will try even if he doesn't...I will email, snail mail, send packages, call, videos, pictures......I'll be back in june. I just want us to work.

Lame

2008-05-28T17:11:00.003-05:00

Nope, no ToolKit update. Saddness. Maybe tonight.

On the flip side, I did have another Peace Corps invitation dream. Let's see, how did it happen. I was actually located at my old house in this dream....I forget the people in it. I got a phone call saying that my invitation was on the way and it was not for Latin America. I asked if they could tell me what region it was for. They could, it was for the Pacific! Wow, that's quite a change, but I figured it was still in the same placement office, so technically, not that big of one at the same time. Next thing I knew I was pulling the package out of the mail box and ripped it open. "You have been invited to served with the Peace Corps in Kiribati." At first, I was really excited, then later realized I didn't want to accept it because it was too dramatically different than what I was supposed to have been doing and working towards while waiting, and I was actually worried about having to island hop to get places. I never declined it, but I talked to some friends and family...I think Cory was there, that's the only person I can remember....about if I should decline it or not and see if I got offered something else.

Personally, I don't think I'd decline any invitation without an insanely good reason...like...surgery....or they wanted me to do business which I'd be awful at. But what makes the dream really interesting is that not only have I not been thinking about the Pacific region lately, but I wouldn't have been able to name Kiribati if i tried. I could've told you the Pacific region consisted of: Fiji, Vanatu, Samoa, Micronesia, and Tonga. But I never for my life would've been able to remember Kiribati, its the one that always has escaped my mind, yet in my dream, I remembered it and that's where I was invited to. Kiribati.

Maybe Tomorrow

2008-05-27T20:22:00.003-05:00

Its been 6 days since they officially received my medical kit--they said they they received it. Despite the fact that...3 of those days were the holiday weekend...maybe I'll be surprised and wake up to a ToolKit update stating a medical clearance! ....Or maybe the next day...or the next...or the next....I want medical clearance!

Holiday Weekend

2008-05-26T15:05:00.003-05:00

Not much going on this holiday weekend. Part of our family has been visiting their family in Baltimore, and it has been raining since late last night so the usually swimming at grandpa's was canceled. But the rest of us still got together at his house for some bbq: ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, corn, strawberry pie, chocolate pie....Not too shabby. Unfortunately, my aunt had bought 3 boxes of puzzles. Each box has 3 puzzles in it, each puzzle has 9 square pieces. Made for ages 6+. We worked for 3 hours on these 9 puzzles....and only ONE was complete. We had to take a picture because we couldn't believe it. Like this, but different brand.

Anyway, it basically really sucks to have a long holiday weekend during your medical clearance wait. Because you know its not just 2 days they aren't looking at it, but its at least 3 days. Even more if someone gets sick or goes out of town an extra day! I want medical clearance!

Spontaneity

2008-05-25T16:56:00.003-05:00

Every now and then I'll think, I wish I hadn't "researched" possible countries so much, now it leaves no surprise! Othertimes I'll think, I'm just certain I'm going to Belize, now there is no exciting surprise! Or I don't want to get my invite and just think "yep that's what I thought" I want to squeal in excitement! But I JUST realized something. A good point really.

Even though I am sort of expecting Belize, Cali did too and was invited to Guatemala, Richie did and was invited to Dominican Republic, and another girl expected Africa and was invited to Belize! Furthermore, I tell people everyday that it could be anything because my medical restriction could move me to any Latin American or IAP country or Europe even! So, while I expect Belize in technicalities...I could get bumped a month sooner to Honduras in July, a month later to Peru in September....or even Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, or Macedonia!

So while I may sorta expect Belize, no matter what I get...Belize or any other country, it really will truly be a surprise! I just realized that!!

Country/Month '08 Invites

2008-05-25T16:38:00.019-05:00

A girl on Facebook's "Future Peace Corps Volunteers", Bailey, had the (brilliant) idea to compile all the upcoming departures by country and date. Not like the unofficial departure dates, but this only lists what we know is leaving THIS year, and when. Some of the June ones are to close to get invites to anymore, but I imagine a couple technically could. Helps give me, and others, and idea of where you could be heading, even if your region or country gets moved! Love it! I'll be updating if I need to! Mike just added this to the Peace Corps Wiki--great!

June 2nd = Lesotho
June 2nd = Samoa
June 3rd = Togo
June 4th = Cameroon
June 4th = Peru
June 7th = Ghana
June 8th = Ecuador
June 8th = Burkina Faso
June 8th = Madagascar
June 8th = Moldova
June 8th = Tanzania
June 11th = Lesotho
June 15th = Georgia
June 16th = Ecuador
June 18th = Mauritania
June 23rd = Swaziland
June 28th = Jordan
June 30th = The Gambia
June = Armenia

July 1st = Benin
July 1st = China
July 3rd = Jamaica
July 3rd = Kyrgyz Republic
July 6th = Mali
July 7th = Honduras
July 7th = Niger
July 14th = Cape Verde
July 17th = South Africa~
July 19th = Bulgaria~
July 23rd = Zambia
July = Cambodia
July = Guinea

August 3rd = Panama*
~~August 3rd = Kiribati~~ --indefinitely suspended
August 4th = Uganda
August 11th = Guatemala*
August 13th = Philippines~
August 18th = Kazakhstan
August 18th = Belize*
August 18th = Dominican Republic~
August 25th = Eastern Caribbean~

September 1st = Nicaragua*
September 5th = Morocco
September 8th = Senegal
September 10th = Peru*
September 14th = Tanzania
September 16th = El Salvador*
September 19th = Macedonia~
September 20th = Ghana
September 20th = Cameroon
September 21st = Azerbaijan
September 26th = Malawi
September 29th = Mozambique
September = Turkmenistan
September = Ukraine~
September = Togo

October 12th = Burkina Faso

November 3rd = Kenya

January = Rwanda

* biggest possibility for me
~ could be a possibility
>>>With the 6-wk rule and today's date being July 24th the remaining possibilities are: ~~Panama~~, ~~Guatemala~~, ~~Philippines~~, ~~Belize~~, ~~Dominican Republic~~, ~~Eastern Caribbean~~, ~~Nicaragua~~, Peru, El Salvador, Macedonia, ~~Ukraine<~~/span>
(most likely in bold)

ToolKit Progress

2008-05-24T17:26:00.004-05:00

So yesterday, Friday May 23rd, I received another ToolKit update! Woohoo! It said

Peace Corps received the results of your physical exam on May 22, 2008. In some cases, Peace Corps may requests additional medical information. Please respond quickly to these requests.

In all reality, they had probably received this about a week ago! But in PC Med style, nothing was ever entered into the computer or done until later. So hopefully, keep your fingers crossed everyone, that my medical kit is fine, I did everything I was supposed to, and don't have to get any more information! I also hope that I get medical clearance very soon! *keeps my fingers crossed* ....and that my epilepsy restriction won't mess my nomination and timeline up! ....and that I find everything out soon! .....and everything else!

Youth Dev.

2008-05-22T00:39:00.003-05:00

Wow, just after all that thinking about Spanish and Youth and trying to come up with a country, someone who is a trainee in Guatemala left a message on peacecorps2 about being a Youth Development trainee in Guatemala, and that there are about 15 other Youth Dev trainees with him. That's exciting because it opens up Guatemala in addition to Belize--I previously didn't think Guatemala did Youth, but it might be new? All I know now is that Guatemala and Belize both do Youth Development! So YIKES! Who knows where I'll end up! I'd be happy with either!

Update: Yes, he e-mailed me and the Youth program in Guatemala only began this year, it sounds like he is the first or 2nd group to be doing it. That would explain why I hadn't heard of it! That'd be exciting to be working in the beginning of a new program, I'm sure harder than an established one, but exciting all the same!

Spanish

2008-05-21T16:18:00.003-05:00

My nomination is for C/S America. I really want to speak Spanish. There are all of like 3 countries in Latin America that don't speak Spanish. One of my possible countries is one of those non-Spanish speaking countries.

My recruiter, when nominating me, said "You have had Spanish right? Now is it Spanish 2 that you've taken?" "yes, I finished Spanish 2 in college" "How would you say your Spanish skills actually are" "ummm...I can't lie, I'm not the best, but I can hold my own in a conversation and get around, especially if I reviewed a little bit" "Okay, because I'm going to nominate you for Youth Development in mid-August in Latin America....This position is specifically requesting strong Spanish 2 skills."

Thus, that leads me to believe that even that I will be placed in a Spanish speaking country. Right? Or in a Spanish speaking area. She also explicitly stated that it was C/S America, NOT the Caribbean (canceling out Dominican Republic--if you still want to go by the nomination). The 3 countries in my region that show invitations already are Belize (English), Guatemala (Spanish), and Panama (Spanish). Out of these 3, Belize is the only one that has a Youth Development program, the only one that has had a Youth Dev invitee, and, of course, is the only English speaking one in the bunch.

Now up North in Belize, near the Mexico and some of the Guatemala border, Spanish is spoken...but people still seem to be fluent in English, from what I gather. If this is the case, that could be why the program specifically requested Spanish 2 for this position. However, we all know it is MUCH harder to learn a language when you have the option of speaking English all the time--that's what concerns me. There are 2 people who I may e-mail to see if they were given any heads up about the language, both Belize invitees, one for Youth, one for Education.

Belize just looks most likely. Of course it is possible that something like Costa Rica or El Salvador could pop up too! Those both have Youth programs and speak Spanish. Granted, who wouldn't LOVE to live and work in Belize for 2 years? But at the same time, is it wrong of me to be really worried about the desire to learn Spanish and that it might not be possible to do so in Belize?

Notable RPCVs

2008-05-21T15:17:00.004-05:00

Some people think no one ever does the PC and that it is whacky. Well I think otherwise! I wanted to get a list of people, not everyone, but "big" or accomplished people that I would relate to or my family/friends would relate to.

Leonard Levitt, reporter for Newsday and author of An African Season (Tanzania 1963-65)
Robert D. Mowry, Dworsky Curator of Chinese Arts at Harvard (Korea 1967-69)
Mildred Taylor, author of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, winner of Newbery Award (Ethiopia 1965-67)
Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, author of An American Killing (Cameroon 1965-67)
Edward Dolby, president, Bank of America, Carolinas (India 1966-68)
John Earhart, chairman of the board and a founding shareholder of Global Environment Fund Management Corporation (Guatemala 1975-77)
Samuel Gillespie III, senior vice president, Exxon Mobil Corp. (Kenya 1967-69)
Jan Guifarro, World Wide Director of Global Consumer Affairs for the Colgate Palmolive Company (Honduras 1973-75)
Robert Haas, chairman of board for Levi Strauss (Ivory Coast 1964-66)
Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix (Swaziland 1983-85)
Wilber James, CEO of Citizens Power (Kenya 1971-72)
Michael McCaskey, chairman of the board, Chicago Bears (Ethiopia 1965-67)
Robert McCormack, executive vice president of Citicorp (Colombia 1968-70)
Frederic Poses, CEO of American Standard Co. (Peru 1967-1969)
Gordon Radley, president of Lucasfilms Ltd. (Malawi 1968-70)
Priscilla Wrubel, founder of the Nature Company (Liberia 1961-63)
Ron Arias, senior editor for People magazine and author of The Road to Tamazunchale (Peru 1963-64)
David Briscoe, chief correspondent of World Desk for Associated Press (Philippines 1966-70)
Dan Carney, reporter for Business Week (Benin 1983-85
Karen DeWitt, producer, abcnews.com (Ethiopia 1966-68)
Chris Matthews, host of NBC's Hardball (Swaziland 1968-70)
Howard Seftel, restaurant critic for the Arizona Republic (Senegal 1972-75)
Jonathan Weisman, White House correspondent for the Baltimore Sun (Guinea-Bissau and Philippines 1988-90)
Carol Bellamy, president of World Learning, former Peace Corps Director (Guatemala 1963-1965)
Arlene Mitchell, chief of school feeding support, United Nations World Food Programme (Niger 1973-76)
Fred O'Regan, executive director of International Fund for Animal Welfare (Swaziland 1970-71)
Kevin Quigley, president of National Peace Corps Association (Thailand 1976-79)
Mark Schneider, senior vice president of International Crisis Group (El Salvador 1966-68)
Tony Silard, founder of Global Education Partnership (Kenya 1990-92)
Dane Smith, former president of National Peace Corps Association; former ambassador to Senegal and Guinea (Ethiopia 1963-65)
Gordon Smith, chairman of Children's Museum About the World (India 1966-69)
Thomas Tighe, president and CEO, Direct Relief International (Thailand 1986-88)
Patricia Buckles, USAID/Peru director, Peace Corps (Guatemala 1973-77)
Donald B. Clark, USAID mission director, Senegal (Burkina Faso 1969-71)
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator, Connecticut (Dominican Republic 1966-68)
Jim Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin and wife Jessica Doyle (Tunisia 1967-69)
Sam Farr, U.S. Representative from California (Colombia 1964-66)
Gordon Gray, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (Morocco 1978-1980)
Mike Honda, U.S. Representative from California (El Salvador 1965-67)
Matthew Patrick, Massachusetts State Representative (Ghana 1977-79)
Sarah Parker, associate justice, North Carolina Supreme Court (Turkey 1964-66)
Terry Peterson, deputy secretary of U.S. Department of Education (Brazil 1967-69)
Thomas Petri, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin (Somalia 1966-67)
Tod Satterthwaite, mayor of Urbana, Illinois (Grenada 1990-92)
Christopher Shays, U.S. Representative from Connecticut (Fiji 1968-70)
James Walsh, U.S. Representative from New York (Nepal 1970-72)
Charles Baquet, director of the Center for Intercultural & International Programs, Xavier University of Louisiana (Somalia 1965-67)
Brady J. Deaton, chancellor or the University of Missouri-Columbia (Thailand 1962-64)
Thomas Gouttierre, dean of International Studies and Programs and director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha (Afghanistan 1965-67)
John E. Greisberger, president of NAFSA: Association of International Educators (Afghanistan 1973-75)
M. Peter McPherson, president of Michigan State University (Peru 1964-66)
Christopher R. Hill, assistant secretary of state, East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Cameroon 1974-76)
David N. Greenlee, ambassador to Bolivia; previously ambassador to Paraguay, (Bolivia 1965-67)
...and a lot more ambassadors...

Hrm...didn't mean for the list to get this long....look Justin, Netflix!

See! Dental AND Legal Clearance!

2008-05-21T00:13:00.003-05:00

How wonderful! Dental is complete! And I checked the ToolKit later in the day, just for that wonderfulness again, and even tho I knew I'd been legally cleared, the legal was now checked! It hadn't been in the morning, but it was then! What a nice little surprise! Now I wait for Medical Clearance which could take a couple days to a few weeks! Lets cross our fingers for a quick clearance! :)