Strap on your seatbelts, boys and girls, we are now entering Purgatory

Oh my God, this waiting is killing me. I can't believe I might have another month of this. Please, God, let the invitation happen, and let it happen soon. I don't think I can take much more.

Do the boogie woogie dow chica dow

I'M MEDICALLY CLEARED!

PC Timeline so far

Rough Peace Corps Timeline:

Jan 20: Made decision to join
Jan 23(?): Began application
Feb 26: Turned in application
March 31: Submitted legal info
April 16: Interview, nomination, accepted nomination
April 30(?): received medical packet
July 16: Mail out medical packet
Aug 27: Found out I was medically deferred for 6 months, and additional info was needed. Deferral turned out to be six months from date it was discovered, which was in May, so it ends November 1.
Early/Mid September: Doctor's appointments and faxing additional info
Nov 1: Is a Saturday, so must wait until...
Nov 3: Blood drawn! If normal hold is over and we are back in business!

Dec 21: Must have invitation by this date for departure in Feb, if indeed I can be placed in my original nomination group. *holds breath*

UNBELIEVABLE!

I'M NOMINATED FOR A PROGRAM! They sure do move fast.

Where: Central/South America
What: Agriculture Extension
When: Departing January/February 2008

Perfect. Exactly where/what/when I want. This is so exciting! I almost wish it wasn't such a long time until I leave. But I keep telling myself that I need that time in the fall with my family, and if I don't get it I'll regret it. So January it is!

Bwahaha!

What a way to run a business, spare me these unending trials!

I finally submitted my fingerprints, background check info, transcripts, and recommendation list to the Peace Corps. NOW they will finally call me for the oh-so-important interview. Once that is over I can finally respond with some measure of confidence when someone asks, "Where will you be going?" or "Is it certain that you'll be accepted?" Then I can get started on the new mountain of paperwork they will send me, as well as the overly-detailed, expensive medical check-ups.

I just want to keep a record of this whole process, as a point of reference. I'm curious as to how long everything will take. It's already been over two months since I started.

Some part of my brain still thinks I'm crazy. There are times I agree with it.

FOR THE WIN!

I APPLIED FOR THE PEACE CORPS! I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT!

I should hear from the recruiter in 3-4 weeks. AHHH!

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.