Seems like all the cool kids in Peace Corps post the timeline of how things worked. And I'm all about bandwagons.
Juneish: Riding my bike home from work, decided to join the Peace Corps, started filling out application. No, seriously.
Julyish: Distracted by moving, don't like writing essays, application languishes.
Early August: Created and did a workshop at Summer Seminar that got me over the hump. Submitted app!
Late August: Interview in Oakland. Nominated the next day! Huzzah. Nomination is the recruiter's recommendation that you go forward. Mine was to Science Teaching in Africa, departing June 2009.
September-October: Doctor/Dentist appts. out the wazoo. No seriously, there was gynecology involved. Submitted all medical paperwork at the end of October.
December 24th: Medically cleared for service! Best Christmas present this year! Ok Mom, maybe the pig was a little bit better.
January 15th: Phone conversation with my placement officer--the person IN CHARGE of where, when, and if I go! Basically a recap and update on things covered in the interview--how does your family feel (my dad hates africa, but loves me anyway), how's your relationship (non-existent), how will you cope (fudgeansweridunnobutiwill).
January16-February 7th: Obsessive compulsive mail-checking for invitation.
February 7th: Online status updates to "Invited." I squee, Amanda cries, Lou and Megan love and hate me at the same time.
February 7th-February 12th: Obsessive compulsive mail checking accelerates, and includes Amanda texting me the status from home when I'm not home to check it as soon as it arrives. Mailman is lucky I never actually saw her coming up the driveway, as I'd likely have tackled her.
February 12th: Cell phone battery dies at work, meaning that Amanda's text message of "Cameroon, June 3rd" doesn't get to me. Hahahahaha.
February 13th: Accepted invitation as "Science Teacher", leaving for staging June 3rd, 2009.
February-June: Insane preparation
June 3rd: Surrender.
June 3rd-6th: Staging in Philly or DC (seems like the last several groups of trainees for Cameroon have gone via Philly, but who knows?)
June 6th 2009-July 1st 2011: Residing in Cameroon!
So there we have it. Just under a year from the first inspiration to the departure. Holy crap, this is actually happening.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Oh the packing....
*Not an extensive list*
Things I have acquired:
Duffel bag
Backpack
Laptop and assorted accessories
3 Skirts
1 pair of pants
3 Shirts
Rain jacket
Sleeping bag
timbuk2 bag (love!)
Teva running shoes
Merrell sandals (dressy)
Merrell flats (dressy)
Things I already owned:
Daypack
Merrell hiking boots (theme?)
Keens
Tevas (theme?)
North Face flip flops
Camera
Assorted clothing
Things I still need:
Leatherman tool
sleeping pad/thermarest type thing
camping towel
assorted other clothing (more nice shirts, nice capris, another pair of pants?, assorted high-tech underwear?)
no more shoes!
Electricity converters/adapters
Printed out photos of people I LOVE a lot (which is probably you, by the looks of things)
Prescription sunglasses and a repair kit
luggage locks/security thingies
a crap-ton of passport photos
a watch
fun stuff--travel games, posters, etc
assorted kitchen stuff
umbrella
And who knows what else???
Things I have acquired:
Duffel bag
Backpack
Laptop and assorted accessories
3 Skirts
1 pair of pants
3 Shirts
Rain jacket
Sleeping bag
timbuk2 bag (love!)
Teva running shoes
Merrell sandals (dressy)
Merrell flats (dressy)
Things I already owned:
Daypack
Merrell hiking boots (theme?)
Keens
Tevas (theme?)
North Face flip flops
Camera
Assorted clothing
Things I still need:
Leatherman tool
sleeping pad/thermarest type thing
camping towel
assorted other clothing (more nice shirts, nice capris, another pair of pants?, assorted high-tech underwear?)
no more shoes!
Electricity converters/adapters
Printed out photos of people I LOVE a lot (which is probably you, by the looks of things)
Prescription sunglasses and a repair kit
luggage locks/security thingies
a crap-ton of passport photos
a watch
fun stuff--travel games, posters, etc
assorted kitchen stuff
umbrella
And who knows what else???
Friday, March 6, 2009
Getting Ready....
Ok, so I'm about three months out, and the insanity has officially begun. Here's my schedule until I leave:
March 6-8: Redding--Snowboarding, family time
March 14-18: Road trip with Dad and Bro
March 20-21: Girl Scout Camp-in (work)
March 26-28: SF trip with Amanda, Georgia, and assorted other family
April 3-5: Redding--Lindsay's shower, assorted family, church?
April 12: Amanda's birthday!
April 18: Picnic Day!
April 24-26: Yosemite Camping Trip
May 1-3: Free weekend! Plus Kent coming to Visit. :)
May 8-10: WEF, plus Mother's day, and people visiting Davis
May 15-17: Advisor Training
May 22-26ish: Redding--Lindsay's wedding, last family visit, old High School visit
May 30th: GOING AWAY BLOW-OUT PARTY CRAZY!
June 3rd: Leave for staging in Philly or DC (TBD).
SO--if you want to see me before I go....make sure to work around this! And I want to see you before I go! Especially at my party!
March 6-8: Redding--Snowboarding, family time
March 14-18: Road trip with Dad and Bro
March 20-21: Girl Scout Camp-in (work)
March 26-28: SF trip with Amanda, Georgia, and assorted other family
April 3-5: Redding--Lindsay's shower, assorted family, church?
April 12: Amanda's birthday!
April 18: Picnic Day!
April 24-26: Yosemite Camping Trip
May 1-3: Free weekend! Plus Kent coming to Visit. :)
May 8-10: WEF, plus Mother's day, and people visiting Davis
May 15-17: Advisor Training
May 22-26ish: Redding--Lindsay's wedding, last family visit, old High School visit
May 30th: GOING AWAY BLOW-OUT PARTY CRAZY!
June 3rd: Leave for staging in Philly or DC (TBD).
SO--if you want to see me before I go....make sure to work around this! And I want to see you before I go! Especially at my party!
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