A Simple Update

Things are becoming a little more real, in terms of coping with the fact that I am moving to Africa in six months. I have so much energy inside that has been built up and it is slowing leaking out in the form of stress!! I have turned in so many forms, since the acceptance, with more to do still and it feels never ending. I am trying not to sweat the small stuff, but it's harder than it sounds. Thus far I have sent in my paperwork for my '"passport" (not really sure what type of passport this is considering I had to send my passport in with it, maybe something as simple as a stamp?) and also my Visa.

My Aspiration Statement and Resume

One of the first steps upon accepting a position with the Peace Corps is writing your Aspiration Statement and reformat your resume. These two documents will then be sent directly to your country of service (Senegal in my circumstance). This is the first real information that the country will receive about you and so its important that you include all relevant experiences while sounding intelligent. The following are my answers to the questions for my Aspiration Statement to introduce myself and my experiences. (The interesting part about posting these answers is to see how my expectations and realizations of the experience compare to my pre-service expectations.)

Its Official.... IM IN! HELLO SENEGAL!

This last week has been absolutely crazy! Upon returning from my brothers wedding in California, I came home to a wonderful package from the Peace Corps. I was expecting something, wasn't sure what, because I had an interview with my placement officer on Friday (Nov 4th). She told me that she only had one question for me. At this point I was really nervous, only one question? Well, I can't really afford to mess it up then can I?

Medical Kit Accomplished! (and cleared!)

Alright, its official, I have sent in my medical kit! I was scrambling around on Friday trying to get a Chickenpox shot (Vericella #2) because somehow I missed it while I was getting all my other tests and immunizations in Menomonie. I was told that it will take about 10-12 weeks before I hear anything, which may be the longest 10 weeks of my life! I don't think I would be denied acceptance to be a volunteer with the Peace Corps based on my medical history but you never know.

It's just the beginning...

And it starts now... I am in the middle of my medical clearance in order to be cleared to serve abroad! Of course all of the tests came back just fine, except... the pap! Sorry for my male readers but I am just being honest. That was the one thing that I could not have even imagined would go wrong out of all the tests that were performed! I gave blood, twice, got a Polio and Chickenpox shot, got a TB test, gave a urine sample, took an eye exam, hearing test and pap. Only one test came back and I had to get a follow up exam and test, but it all came out fine!