So many emotions

This was another slow week in terms of PC happenings, but my emotions have been all over the place. My staging date is approaching faster than ever and the closer it gets, the more I feel like I may want to cry.

First things first though.  I got an email this week saying that my forms in the new hire portal weren't complete (they didn't show up before...not sure why.  Maybe my computer is having a crisis of it's own).  I finished those up and now I'm officially left with just my thoughts.

This week was my last week at the school where I volunteer.  That was pretty hard.  Although I haven't been there too long (only since January),  I got to know the students and the teachers I worked with pretty well.  Considering I was there everyday, leaving was quite the task.

Also,  I keep thinking about how many days I have left with my family.  It's really starting to hit me that I won't be able to see them all the time.  Although I'll get used to it,  I know that at first, it will be really hard.  My brother (the one I live with) is 9 years old, but we are really, really close.  I don't even want to think about leaving him.  I know that God will be the only one who can help me with these emotions I'm fighting with.

As scattered as they are, those are the thoughts going through my head right now.  Hopefully I can get my emotions together enough to pack!!  Times a winding down and I have no more time to be dilly-dallying in denial.  Time to buckle down.

Slow Week

So this week, nothing much has happened in regards to preparation to leave.  I have been running through it in my head.  I don't feel like I'm close to ready although I am excited.  I don't have luggage, clothes, anything.  I keep wondering if there anything important that I'm going to forget/haven't thought of.  I'm also excited to go because I feel like I need a break from life as I know it.  I'm really going to miss my family, but everything seems to be chaos right now (things occurring in the country and in my state and even things in my personal life).  I think getting away for PC will help clear my mind and thus help with my ability to deal when I come back.  This experience will be a great one for me on so many levels and even if I'm not ready, I really feel I want to and need to leave.  Just a mere 18 days left.

It's May!

I leave in 26 days......26!!!!  I still can't believe it.  I called the PC Travel Agency and got my flight booked for staging in DC.  I also finished my orientation on the New Hire Portal(apparently I didn't do it...oops).  Now that that's all settled, I have to 

1.  Start Shopping

2.  Start Packing

3.  Get my loan info finalized.

I don't think it's quite hit me yet that I'm leaving.  Although the number of days are decreasing, I don't think it will hit me until I'm on the plane.  I AM, however, getting a little nervous though.  I feel like there is so much I need to get done, and so little time to do it.  Except, instead of getting it done, I keep having stuff to do (AKA keeping busy with the now, but also preventing my mind from realizing the urgency of my situation).  

Also, as a natural haired woman, I hadn't put enough thought into what to do about caring for my hair...that is until this week!  I sat and realized what am I going to do if I can't find products that will be kind to my hair?  How will I find my oils?  Conditioners?  I can't pack all my natural hair products?  Will my hair react well to the "typical", more drying products that will likely be available?  I sorted through my products and decided I will leave the full sized products behind.  I, however, have lots of sample sized products that I will carry with me.  I know that with the thickness of my hair though,  I will be lucky if that lasts a month.

There is so much for me to figure out within the next 26 days between shopping, figuring out my hair struggles, and finalizing my life in the states.  I hope I can push myself through it all!

Much <3!!

Final Medical Clearance!!!

I decided to just appear in my doctor's office on Tuesday to get what I needed....and surprisingly it worked!!  I got a paper with the breakdown of my results and uploaded it when I got home.  Yesterday I got an email saying that I've been medically cleared!  Sooo excited!  Also, I got info regarding staging/departure.  Apparently staging will be in D.C. on May 29th and I will leave for Seoul (then from Seoul to Ulaanbataar) on May 30th.  As excited as this is, it really is a reality reminder for me.  Why?

1.  I had just gotten used to May 30th,  now I hear that it is May 29th....a day just got cut off!!
2.  I'm actually leaving next month!!
3.  Next month is just a week away (and I haven't started packing/shopping)!!

Wish me all the luck in the world.  I hope I can fit it all in the next month!  Nothing is holding me back anymore except for myself!!

Til next time,

Bye!

Stories while browsing the PC tag on tumblr.

"Ugh. The Peace Corps is recruiting.

The “Peace” Corps—aka capitalism corps—aka imperialism corps—aka “cover story for CIA assassinations” corps—is hiring.

Guess they’re going to “depose” a “brutal dictator” soon and install “democracy”.  Transparent agency is transparent.  I don’t have any inside knowledge or elite computer skills.  I don’t need them.  Historical records and a brain not plugged into the Matrix are sufficient to figure this one out."

"Told my family I want to join The Peace Corps. after I graduate and they are shunning me. Telling me I’m gonna go to Africa (which is where I want to go) and my “lily white ass” is going to get murdered by a big black man with horns in his nose. I can’t handle this ignorance and stupidity…"

"I told my mom I wanted to join the Peace Corps and she reacted in the same way she did when I told her I was going vegan. Exasperated. 

“(Name), once you graduate college and get job offers you won’t want to do it”

“It’s for two years! Do you realize how long that is?”

“You don’t get to pick where they send you, you could end up in Africa!”

Doesn’t she think I know all of that? I’ve scoured the entire Peace Corps website; I know much more about it than she does. I know I won’t get to pick where I go, but that’s fine with me. Anyway, it’ll most likely be somewhere in South America considering I’ll be able to speak spanish by then, and my field is environmental-related. Still, I wouldn’t care if I got sent to Africa, or Asia, or Eastern Europe, or wherever. I just want to help people and travel and learn about a new culture and teach other people about the American culture. I was fine going away to Germany for a year as a junior in high school, so I think by the time I’m like 22 I’ll be able to go away for 2 years, considering I’m probably going to study abroad again during college as well. And also, my mom babysits for this kid whose mother was in the Peace Corps and she told my mom that it was too hard being away for 2 years. But lets remember, she was probably doing it in the late 70s, early 80s latest. The only means of communication she had was snail mail. Now, we have phones that call internationally, and internet that easily keeps you up to date with life back home. And even if I was put in a place where I couldn’t get internet or something, that would honestly be fine. I may be addicted to my computer, but I’ve always been okay going to camp in the summer with no electronics. I really don’t mind it. Truly.

Whatever. I have years to go, so maybe she’ll change her mind as time progresses. I also had a question for people who are currently or have previously been involved with peace corps- is it difficult to be vegan while serving, and does it limit your chance of being accepted if you’re a vegan (I don’t think it would be, but I thought I’d get some other opinions)?"

 Those are a few of the things I found...interesting to see people with opinions different from mine.  Also, what's wrong with Africa?  2 posts seem to have problems with Africa.   anyone else have an opinion on this?

The Saga Continues...

I'm here over a week later and although some of it has worked itself out (they received my x-rays and they took off the task for the eyeglass prescription),  I have yet to get results for my urinalysis.  I think I've thoroughly ANNOYED my doctor and the office.  I've contacted them a few times to get the results, and I haven't gotten them...and they're due like YESTERDAY(not literally...but they need them ASAP).  My nerves are through the roof!  I called the office yesterday and the person at the front desk said she would call me today after she talked to my doctor.  Did she call?  Not at all.  And when I called?  The message said the office was closed.  I can't believe it's causing this much strife just to get these results (apparently they were on my information, but more information is needed for it to be complete).  I just need this to all be over.

On a more positive note,  on Thursday I went to a Peace Corps events (info fair/ recognition for applicants, nominees, and invitees).  It was pretty cool.  It was the least formal PC event I've been to so far (although some people were dressed up, the event was a standing event mainly focused on the tables representing the regions). My interviewer was there and I JUST realized that he also went to Mongolia!  I don't know how I managed to forget that (I guess in all the madness, my brain missed it).  I also met a lot of great people who went to other countries.  Inside the main event they had all the invitees introduce themselves to the people at the event.  I met someone else who is also going to Mongolia!  It was cool because I didn't think there would be any one else from NY.  I also went to the Mongolia table where I met an RPCV who got back last summer.  I questioned her for a while and she gave me some great advice and information.  It made me even more excited to go (like I wasn't excited enough to begin with).  It was a great event and also, the invitees got little PC reusable bags with a luggage tag and a book discussing the experiences of different volunteers.

Now all I can hope is that everything works itself out so that I can make it!  Til next time!!

Because my life is eternally run by Murphy's law...

They say "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong".  And being the pot of gold, lucky elf I am, my life revolves around this.  What happened you ask?  After being excited that I FINALLY got all my required forms in, I get a message saying:

1. My urinalysis results are missing.

2. The dental records I mailed in about 3 weeks ago, haven't gotten in....

3. My doctor accidentally checked that my corrected vision is 20/20 (I've never worn glasses or had to do anything to correct my vision) and they need the eyeglasses prescription form filled out.

4. It would be better if my immunization records were on a WHO immunization card instead of the sheet my doctor's office uses.

This would be all well and good if:

1.  I didn't have 50 days left before my departure date.

2.  My doctor's office responded quickly when I asked for things.

3.  I could just easily get a new copy of those dental x-rays.

I'm BEYOND frustrated right now.  I feel like crying because I'm scared that my departure will get canceled because of this.  There I was thinking it would be smooth sailing from here on out.  Why do these things happen to me?