And now to the most terrifying decision I've made...

If the job with my dad's friend falls through, I am going to join the Peace Corps.

I am simultaneously thrilled and excited and terrified and crazy. I said, so many times, that I would never do it. Two years! 27 months away from home! But now, after much research, meeting with the Pitt representative, realizing I can come home for Christmas, drooling over the amazing medical plan, fantasizing about what a jump it could give my career and life, and reading online blogs like crazy, it feels like the right thing to do. Honestly, the only thing to do.

It takes a long time for the application to go through, probably about nine months. I'm giving my dad one more month to find out about the job. If it's a no or a maybe (and I seriously doubt it will happen), I'm applying for the Peace Corps. Right now I'm joining Habitat for Humanity for some volunteer experience. If this happens, I'll move back home after I graduate and get a full time job (probably waitressing) and wait to leave around next January.

I would love to go to Latin America to do a Community Development program (which is one of the few programs I am qualified for and means I wouldn't be teaching kids English the whole time). But you don't get to choose where you go, and honestly, I'm game for anywhere. I'm more than game. Think about it: Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Fiji, Madagascar, Mongolia, anywhere! I would , could go anywhere.

And I'm not naive. I know how hard it will be. I know that it will be strange and difficult and achingly lonely and that at times I will break down and cry and want nothing more than to go home. I know that. I experienced it in Spain, when I was all alone, little girl without friends or a purpose. At least in the PC, I will have a purpose, a challenge. I will be doing something good, no, AMAZING with my life, giving two years to serve others in a faraway place. How many people can say that? I know myself, I know that I will cry and be sad and lonely and want to give up. But I also know that I won't give up, and that in the end, it will be wonderful. I will be changed irrevocably.

I am so excited; I kind of hope my dad's plan does fall through, so I can do this.

Peace Corps. Holy shit.

Step One: Breathe. Step Two: Keep doing it.

For anyone reading this blog from the beginning: Hello. I'm Sarah, and this entry isn't really dated January 2008, it's December 17 2008.

I'm a 22-year-old University of Pittsburgh grad (nonfiction writing and Spanish), a writer currently polishing the rough draft of a novel, and a huge nerd. But mostly, I'm a girl hungry for adventure and experience in this great big world.

I just found out yesterday that I will be going to Ecuador to serve for 27 months in the Peace Corps as an Agriculture volunteer. I know that as I was applying I searched high and low for any blogs that detailed the application process, that showed me what other people went through and how they were feeling along the way. So I'm pulling all of the entries from my Livejournal account that deal with the Peace Corps and posting them, dated from when they were originally posted, on my Peace Corps only journal.

My Peace Corps journey began last year, so that's when this blog will start. I hope that anyone out there who is thinking of joining, is applying, or has joined the Peace Corps will find interesting and fun stories within this journal. Oh, and family and friends too, of course. This is mainly for them.

If you want to leave a message, please do! I am always up for making new friends. If you are in Ecuador or are going to be, let me know. You never know where life may take you.

"Freedom lies in being bold" Robert Frost.

Let's get started!