First off, I think someone must have read my mini rant and said to the boss "we'd better look into this Elaina chick. She could be trouble" because the ball is now rolling! I received an email from the placement office today asking me for my updated resume and romantic involvement questionnaire. The RI form was a lot more in depth than the original one I filled out at my interview, giving me three scenarios ranging from one where my partner asks me to stay at the last minute to constant loneliness and difficulties of communication with differing experiences. I read a couple paragraphs to Colt, but he decided that we've gone over it so often that he's probably the best Peace Corps partner out there and probably knows more about the PC process than anyone. So I decided to just fill it out quickly and send it off with my resume. I am confident in his love and in mine for him and am nothing but completely sure that we will get through this time together, no matter what sacrifices we will both have to make.
I also bought the book by RPCV Kris Holloway about her time of service in the late 80s/early 90s in Mali called "Monique and the Mango Rains: Two years with a midwife in Mali." I've only read the first chapter, but it reads a lot like many of the PCV blogs I frequent...but with better stylistic form. I think I'm going to try to write on this thing a little more entertainingly, try to tell a story with my experiences. There are certainly better blogs out there than others and I think the biggest difference has to do with how they choose to tell their stories. Some just list the day's events and give a basic play by play while others seem to infuse the same scenarios with humor and emotion. It is invariably the latter that continue to draw me in and I hope to maintain a similar level of good writing while actually a volunteer. So stop me if I get boring!
Life is good right now. I don't think I need a PC blogging hiatus; I constantly underestimate my ability to be patient. Even now with first official contact having been made, I'm not too stressed. I definitely have senioritis pretty bad. I have two major papers to write, a huge biology project, two more exams, and a final exam all to complete before my work here is finished and I graduate. I can't believe it was four years ago that I was getting ready to leave Kansas and finish high school. It seems like only yesterday and yet so long ago. I honestly don't feel too much different as a person, although I know that I've expanded my intellectual capacity to dwell on intangible issues in the world. The beauty of a liberal arts education I think, is the ability to confidently use in a sentence things like heteronormativity and white privilege while discussing molecular genetics at a competent level. Anyway, I am definitely starting to view myself as an alum of this great institution. Which makes it difficult to actually get my work done. =D
I am running a lot these days as the Boston Marathon is coming up in exactly 1 week and I am getting prepared! I'm getting excited, too. If anyone is inclined to help fund my run, I am collecting donations for Boston Children's Hospital and you can donate at:
https://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/bostonmarathon/pfp/Default.asp?ID=ME0064
Thanks for your support!
Anyway, that's all for now. I hope my placement officer gets back to me soon. I'd like to know when I'm being officially reviewed. But yay! Things are moving along. FINALLY! haha
Elaina
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
shutdown mini rant
All this Mali buzz and fellow blogger successes with PO contact encouraged me to update my file with the health desk. So I sent in copies of my CPR and First Aid certifications attached to an email about my current activities related to health and French, etc. I got this shutdown response:
I am just really frustrated at this point. I know they say 6 weeks minimum, but I mean, come on. It is just not realistic to expect a graduating senior to just sit around and twiddle my thumbs while I pass up on every other opportunity that comes my way. I want the Peace Corps, so I'm waiting, but it's irritating. I'm irritated. I applied over 9 months ago. I just want to be able to start looking for supplies and planning for this. I will only have a month after graduation to think about it and get ready to leave and that's just not enough time for me to be comfortable. I mean, I'll deal with it, but it's just a hassle. Maybe the Peace Corps should hire some more people in order to not inconvenience the applicants unnecessarily. I mean, I understand needing patience. But 9 months is ridiculous and a longer waiting period than any other job I could be persuing. This wait and uncertainty is a deterrant for potential applicants and it gives the Peace Corps an image of inefficiency, red tape, and excessive bureaucracy. A rolling admissions program for those who apply early would better serve future peace corps volunteers and their families. I'm frustrated, my family, friends, and fiance are frustrated, and we're all anxious to know what my plans are post graduation. It sucks! ok...
/rant.
But other than my frustration, things are going well. I'm working on some bio projects and beginning to work on some of my final papers for various courses. I can't believe there's only 20 days of classes left in my college days. Totally wild.
I am officially going cold turkey on my own blog for the next 2 weeks. Going underground is apparently the only way I can deal with this excessive waiting. I'll probably be checking pcjournals in general, though, if only to catch other people's invites while i wallow in my own self pity. haha
Elaina
"Your updates have been received by the Health Desk. A copy of your email detailing your updated experience and copies of your certifications will be placed in your file.MAY?? MAY??!
Currently, your file is in line to be reviewed by the Assessment and Placement Staff. Your file should be reviewed within the next few weeks and then it will go to your Placement Office Specialist who will consider you for an invitation. The latest that invitations can be issued for the program you were nominated into is the end of May.
Hopefully from this you are able to get some sense of a timeline. Unfortunately, due to the high number of summer programs that the Placement Office is currently working to fill, I am unable to pinpoint an exact date by which you will hear from us concerning a placement."
I am just really frustrated at this point. I know they say 6 weeks minimum, but I mean, come on. It is just not realistic to expect a graduating senior to just sit around and twiddle my thumbs while I pass up on every other opportunity that comes my way. I want the Peace Corps, so I'm waiting, but it's irritating. I'm irritated. I applied over 9 months ago. I just want to be able to start looking for supplies and planning for this. I will only have a month after graduation to think about it and get ready to leave and that's just not enough time for me to be comfortable. I mean, I'll deal with it, but it's just a hassle. Maybe the Peace Corps should hire some more people in order to not inconvenience the applicants unnecessarily. I mean, I understand needing patience. But 9 months is ridiculous and a longer waiting period than any other job I could be persuing. This wait and uncertainty is a deterrant for potential applicants and it gives the Peace Corps an image of inefficiency, red tape, and excessive bureaucracy. A rolling admissions program for those who apply early would better serve future peace corps volunteers and their families. I'm frustrated, my family, friends, and fiance are frustrated, and we're all anxious to know what my plans are post graduation. It sucks! ok...
/rant.
But other than my frustration, things are going well. I'm working on some bio projects and beginning to work on some of my final papers for various courses. I can't believe there's only 20 days of classes left in my college days. Totally wild.
I am officially going cold turkey on my own blog for the next 2 weeks. Going underground is apparently the only way I can deal with this excessive waiting. I'll probably be checking pcjournals in general, though, if only to catch other people's invites while i wallow in my own self pity. haha
Elaina
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
On the woes of knowing too much
It's official-->someone has gotten a Mali invite from the health extension peeps. It's been announced on PC wiki and the future PCVs facebook group. Some guy knows he's going to Mali beginning on July 1st. Well, geez. I am going to send in my CPR certificate update tonight to the placement office and hopefully I will know soon.
Knowing that they are clearly giving out invitations from my program nomination is just completely nerve wracking and does not encourage me to try and fight my growing case of the unrelated to RAS syndrome, senioritis.
I think what I am going to do here is take a deep breath. Do it with me, my fellow applicants. In.........and out......sigh.
As long as it's Africa, I will be happy with my invitation, whenever it shall arrive. Happiness all around!
And, I thought I'd leave you with the words that I am officially getting tattooed on my body next week. (it will be healed in plenty of time for the Peace Corps):
let the future say of our generation that we sent forth mighty currents of hope, and that we worked together to heal the world.
E
*edit* I just found out Ashleigh has received contact with her placement officer! That seems to be the first step in getting the invite...the first contact, fishing out the details of the invite to come...the request for updated resume, romantic involvement forms, etc....please, oh peace corps placement gods, shine your love on me this week. I have also just sent in my CPR certification card copies to the placement office, so hopefully I'll hear SOMETHING soon **
Knowing that they are clearly giving out invitations from my program nomination is just completely nerve wracking and does not encourage me to try and fight my growing case of the unrelated to RAS syndrome, senioritis.
I think what I am going to do here is take a deep breath. Do it with me, my fellow applicants. In.........and out......sigh.
As long as it's Africa, I will be happy with my invitation, whenever it shall arrive. Happiness all around!
And, I thought I'd leave you with the words that I am officially getting tattooed on my body next week. (it will be healed in plenty of time for the Peace Corps):
let the future say of our generation that we sent forth mighty currents of hope, and that we worked together to heal the world.
E
*edit* I just found out Ashleigh has received contact with her placement officer! That seems to be the first step in getting the invite...the first contact, fishing out the details of the invite to come...the request for updated resume, romantic involvement forms, etc....please, oh peace corps placement gods, shine your love on me this week. I have also just sent in my CPR certification card copies to the placement office, so hopefully I'll hear SOMETHING soon **
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Midnight heart stopper
Just got online to the PC wiki on a whim and saw that Benin has been added to the July time line with staging set for July 6th! That means official invites are out right?! And I suppose the caveat is...if I didn't get one, it means no to Benin for me, yeah?
Probably not necessarily. It could be that another desk has gotten out invites before the health desk...or that the date on the wiki is so super unofficial that no invites are actually out yet. Or maybe everyone who is nominated for a a health extension in July for francophone SSA has found out where they are going, except for me!! Ahhhh...
Ok, moment of crazy has passed.
I think I need to go to bed. Maybe I'll get an email in the morning. The restless applicant syndrome is killing me! I really hope I haven't gotten my hopes up for the birthplace of voodoo just to have them dashed.
Positive thoughts! On that note, just one quick thing: I was thinking that I want to incorporate my PC service into my wedding somehow...and thinking I could maybe use a song or tradition I pick up. I'm probably going to have a bit of an off-beat wedding anyway, that a couple African traditions won't seem out of place...Hmmmm. Okay, good. Now I am sufficiently distracted from RAS. Yay for my fiancé!
*edit*
It seems as if Benin has already been on the wiki and somehow I had just missed it. LOL. Way to go me. Sometimes I really meet those blonde moments head on. haha
E
Probably not necessarily. It could be that another desk has gotten out invites before the health desk...or that the date on the wiki is so super unofficial that no invites are actually out yet. Or maybe everyone who is nominated for a a health extension in July for francophone SSA has found out where they are going, except for me!! Ahhhh...
Ok, moment of crazy has passed.
I think I need to go to bed. Maybe I'll get an email in the morning. The restless applicant syndrome is killing me! I really hope I haven't gotten my hopes up for the birthplace of voodoo just to have them dashed.
Positive thoughts! On that note, just one quick thing: I was thinking that I want to incorporate my PC service into my wedding somehow...and thinking I could maybe use a song or tradition I pick up. I'm probably going to have a bit of an off-beat wedding anyway, that a couple African traditions won't seem out of place...Hmmmm. Okay, good. Now I am sufficiently distracted from RAS. Yay for my fiancé!
*edit*
It seems as if Benin has already been on the wiki and somehow I had just missed it. LOL. Way to go me. Sometimes I really meet those blonde moments head on. haha
E
Thursday, March 25, 2010
On Jungles (or, I'm Back!)
I've been trying to stay away, but I actually think that was doing more harm than good. I just love y'all so much! I've added some artwork and set up a 'tags' section. The revamp of the look has given me some additional motivation...as has catching up on my favorite West African and fellow applicant blogs. I'll probably get on here in a couple days and do my top 5 fears, with a nod to Ashleigh's PC affair.
I've been checking out PC journals again and I actually decided to go on some recon missions to discover when Benin and Mali PCVs had actually received their invitations. My information gathering has lead me to the following conclusions:
--Benin volunteers in 2008 and 2009 were generally invited in the last week of March. I am seeing a few March 28th and 30ths out there. (so that's like 3 days!)
--Benin staging dates appear to be later July, like the 21st in Philly.
--Mali volunteers in 2008 and 2009 seem to be invited a bit later, more like mid April. Dates were less tangible. Those Mali volunteers don't seem to be as up on it with the blogosphere. I'm sure that has something to do with being in the desert haha.
--Mali staging dates are actually before the Benin ones, more like July 6th or 7th. Also in Philadelphia.
So it looks like Benin people know earlier and leave later than the Mali folks. Since I am wanting to do several things upon my return in 2012 (get an apartment, get weddinged, start medical school), an earlier departure might be best. But dang, I am really quite in love with Benin. To me, it seems like the epitome of West Africa--jungles and heat with great rain storms and desert in the North. Mali also seems great, but more poverty-stricken perhaps with more...dust. I don't know. Benin gets me closer to that romantic idea of African jungles that I fell in love with when I was 15. I'm sure those ideas will be challenged where ever I end up, and that whether I end up in Mali or Benin, or some unknown country I have yet even considered, the Peace Corps will be a monumental part of my life.
E
I've been checking out PC journals again and I actually decided to go on some recon missions to discover when Benin and Mali PCVs had actually received their invitations. My information gathering has lead me to the following conclusions:
--Benin volunteers in 2008 and 2009 were generally invited in the last week of March. I am seeing a few March 28th and 30ths out there. (so that's like 3 days!)
--Benin staging dates appear to be later July, like the 21st in Philly.
--Mali volunteers in 2008 and 2009 seem to be invited a bit later, more like mid April. Dates were less tangible. Those Mali volunteers don't seem to be as up on it with the blogosphere. I'm sure that has something to do with being in the desert haha.
--Mali staging dates are actually before the Benin ones, more like July 6th or 7th. Also in Philadelphia.
So it looks like Benin people know earlier and leave later than the Mali folks. Since I am wanting to do several things upon my return in 2012 (get an apartment, get weddinged, start medical school), an earlier departure might be best. But dang, I am really quite in love with Benin. To me, it seems like the epitome of West Africa--jungles and heat with great rain storms and desert in the North. Mali also seems great, but more poverty-stricken perhaps with more...dust. I don't know. Benin gets me closer to that romantic idea of African jungles that I fell in love with when I was 15. I'm sure those ideas will be challenged where ever I end up, and that whether I end up in Mali or Benin, or some unknown country I have yet even considered, the Peace Corps will be a monumental part of my life.
E
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Yes, that was only a moment
of indecision. So all you placement officers out there reading this should know that I am as gung ho as ever about the Peace Corps. I think getting engaged would make anyone question their future, right?
After thinking about it and discussing it with advisers, friends, and the fiance in question, I have decided that I am still on track for this thang. I've wanted it for so long, I really just cannot give it up. I think a part of me pushed the idea away so much in the last month in order to hold off on disappointment and getting my hopes up, that the life I had envisioned had sort of faded away. That made it easier to reject it and think skipping out would make me happier.
Well, that assumption was wrong and I know that if I don't go I'll regret it forever. If I go, I'll only have my baby love to come back to. I am choosing the road with the least regrets and that means AFRICA.
They may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
After thinking about it and discussing it with advisers, friends, and the fiance in question, I have decided that I am still on track for this thang. I've wanted it for so long, I really just cannot give it up. I think a part of me pushed the idea away so much in the last month in order to hold off on disappointment and getting my hopes up, that the life I had envisioned had sort of faded away. That made it easier to reject it and think skipping out would make me happier.
Well, that assumption was wrong and I know that if I don't go I'll regret it forever. If I go, I'll only have my baby love to come back to. I am choosing the road with the least regrets and that means AFRICA.
They may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Just stopped by to say hi
and to let y'all know that I am engaged!! While my boyfriend was here he got down on one knee and proposed! I am so excited; it was a while coming and now that it's official, I couldn't be happier!
So the last couple days have been causing a lot of mental anguish as far as the Peace Corps goes. On one hand, living and working in Africa has been my dream for a lot longer than I've been in my relationship. On the other hand, however, he is one of the best things in my life and it really seems very very stupid to give that up for the unknown even if just for two years. Why should I risk something so wonderful? I guess the answer is that I am risking it for country and adventure, risking it for the opportunity to realize one of my biggest life goals. I am really going back and forth here! Right now, I am still leaning toward PC pretty heavily. He also just left yesterday and I'm always the most unsure about it when we're initially apart. In a few days I'll be gung ho again. I think.
The other reason I would have to chose to stay is that I want to start medical school next year as opposed to waiting two years. That would mean, of course, that I would be applying in just a few months. I would also need to find a job for a year...probably Americorps like I originally had planned. But damn-->AFRICA. I'm just not sure I can give it up. I'm like 90% sure I can't give it up. I want it and have wanted it for too long. The super, engaged LDR thing will be tough, but it's worth it to make sure that I have no regrets. I really belive that. I have the rest of my life to be married and be a doctor. The Peace Corps really is a once in a lifetime event and that time is now. I am accepting it with open arms!
So I'm still officially 'cold turkey' and won't be regularly checking pcjournals or the wiki...but i did notice that south africa was updated. not francophone, but getting close. Who knows? I'll be back in a couple weeks I think. I don't think I'm getting the official invite anytime soon haha.
Elaina
So the last couple days have been causing a lot of mental anguish as far as the Peace Corps goes. On one hand, living and working in Africa has been my dream for a lot longer than I've been in my relationship. On the other hand, however, he is one of the best things in my life and it really seems very very stupid to give that up for the unknown even if just for two years. Why should I risk something so wonderful? I guess the answer is that I am risking it for country and adventure, risking it for the opportunity to realize one of my biggest life goals. I am really going back and forth here! Right now, I am still leaning toward PC pretty heavily. He also just left yesterday and I'm always the most unsure about it when we're initially apart. In a few days I'll be gung ho again. I think.
The other reason I would have to chose to stay is that I want to start medical school next year as opposed to waiting two years. That would mean, of course, that I would be applying in just a few months. I would also need to find a job for a year...probably Americorps like I originally had planned. But damn-->AFRICA. I'm just not sure I can give it up. I'm like 90% sure I can't give it up. I want it and have wanted it for too long. The super, engaged LDR thing will be tough, but it's worth it to make sure that I have no regrets. I really belive that. I have the rest of my life to be married and be a doctor. The Peace Corps really is a once in a lifetime event and that time is now. I am accepting it with open arms!
So I'm still officially 'cold turkey' and won't be regularly checking pcjournals or the wiki...but i did notice that south africa was updated. not francophone, but getting close. Who knows? I'll be back in a couple weeks I think. I don't think I'm getting the official invite anytime soon haha.
Elaina
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