Several people have this habit of telling me things I'll be missing while I'm gone. I hope they're doing it in response to what they'll be missing without me & I try to keep this in mind instead of getting annoyed. For me, though, Peace Corps is not about what I'm leaving behind, but what I'll be gaining. I'd really like to focus on the new experiences & not constantly think about, or be reminded of, what I'm missing. With that said, however, I am aware that I will be missing out on life here at home while I'm off "digging my own well & building my own hut." : ) Here's a list, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, of things I will miss. It is certainly not inclusive & is written so that you all know that I am aware I will be missing things, I'm just trying to not focus on them!
1) My cat, Newton
2) My family
3) My friends
4) Barnes & Noble
5) Choir rehearsals & singing in concerts
6) Driving
7) Air conditioning
8) Using English as my primary means of communication
9) Grey's Anatomy, LOST, Project Runway, The Amazing Race
10) Winter & Snow
11) Trips to Whipple Dam, Spring Break, & WGI Championships
12) Hanging out with my dad
13) Clean, running water
14) Living in a mostly vermin-free environment
15) Pizza
16) Electricity & constant, fast internet access
17) Tutoring my high school students & coaching MathCounts
18) Nieces/nephews birthdays, first days of school, recitals, etc.
19) Privacy
20) Did I mention Newton?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Timeline
I've been asked a few times what my timeline was like throughout the Peace Corps process. It can take anywhere from several months to several years to end up being a volunteer. It all depends on your situation, when you can leave, if you have any health concerns that need to be addressed, when programs are open that fit your experiences, etc. However, here's how it worked for me.
November 2007: Read A LOT of books on the Peace Corps & did TONS of online research before deciding to apply. Those who know me well are nodding there heads & my friend Diane is saying "of course you did!"
December 2007: Filled out most of my application online, but went to a Peace Corps meeting on PSU campus to hear from returned volunteers before submitting my application. I submitted it mid-December. I also heard back from the NY recruiter prior to the holidays who scheduled my interview.
January 2008: Late in the month had my 2-hour interview and was nominated for Sub-Saharan Africa for math education the following week.
February 2008: Medical!!! Had a physical, eye doctor's appt., & turned forms into the dentist all in one week - and within one week of when I received the forms from the Peace Corps. This is a minor miracle! I submitted my forms mid-February.
March 2008: Waited. Read just about every Tanzanian Peace Corps blog. (Through all of that online research, I figured I might be going to Tanzania).
April 2008: Had to clear up a few minor things with medical, like forgetting to give proof that I had my polio booster. April 18th - INVITED!!! to Tanzania to teach math. Thank goodness because by this time I had read all of those blogs & done more research on Tanzania & had my heart set on going there!
May 2008: Applied for & was approved for an unpaid leave of absence from my school district for the entire 27 months! I'm still in shock over this.
June 2008: Finished my tenth year of teaching math & started getting ready for PC. Started Swahili lessons through Rosetta Stone Online.
July 2008: Packing up my apartment, making arrangements for random things, more Swahili.
August 2008: I anticipate that I'll be finishing packing, putting my stuff in storage, & doing more Swahili.
September 15, 2008: Unoffical staging date for right now.
So, there it is. From application to invitation, just about 4 months for me. It must have been some sort of record! From application to staging - about 9 months. I've heard from others who've been at this process for 2 years - it's amazing to think they could be done with service in that time!
November 2007: Read A LOT of books on the Peace Corps & did TONS of online research before deciding to apply. Those who know me well are nodding there heads & my friend Diane is saying "of course you did!"
December 2007: Filled out most of my application online, but went to a Peace Corps meeting on PSU campus to hear from returned volunteers before submitting my application. I submitted it mid-December. I also heard back from the NY recruiter prior to the holidays who scheduled my interview.
January 2008: Late in the month had my 2-hour interview and was nominated for Sub-Saharan Africa for math education the following week.
February 2008: Medical!!! Had a physical, eye doctor's appt., & turned forms into the dentist all in one week - and within one week of when I received the forms from the Peace Corps. This is a minor miracle! I submitted my forms mid-February.
March 2008: Waited. Read just about every Tanzanian Peace Corps blog. (Through all of that online research, I figured I might be going to Tanzania).
April 2008: Had to clear up a few minor things with medical, like forgetting to give proof that I had my polio booster. April 18th - INVITED!!! to Tanzania to teach math. Thank goodness because by this time I had read all of those blogs & done more research on Tanzania & had my heart set on going there!
May 2008: Applied for & was approved for an unpaid leave of absence from my school district for the entire 27 months! I'm still in shock over this.
June 2008: Finished my tenth year of teaching math & started getting ready for PC. Started Swahili lessons through Rosetta Stone Online.
July 2008: Packing up my apartment, making arrangements for random things, more Swahili.
August 2008: I anticipate that I'll be finishing packing, putting my stuff in storage, & doing more Swahili.
September 15, 2008: Unoffical staging date for right now.
So, there it is. From application to invitation, just about 4 months for me. It must have been some sort of record! From application to staging - about 9 months. I've heard from others who've been at this process for 2 years - it's amazing to think they could be done with service in that time!
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