Let the Peace Corp adventure begin

Well, I guess it's time to start blogging again as I prepare to set out on this new adventure. For the past year, I have been going through the intensive application process for the U.S. Peace Corp. Below are the major milestones and timeline for the process that I have documented:

Departure: June 2, 2010
Assignment: Secondary Math Teacher
Location: Sierra Leone, West Africa
Length: 27 months

Feb. 26, 2009 - Start application process
April 17, 2009 - Submit completed application
May 21, 2009 - 2 hr. phone interview with Regional recruiter
July 24, 2009 - Officially nominated to go to Africa as a secondary math teacher
August 1, 2009 - received medical kit in the mail
September 1, 2009 - mailed in Medical Kit
October 4, 2009- learned that follow up bloodwork was necessary
February 18, 2010 - MEDICAL CLEARANCE
March 10, 2010 - follow up commitment questions
March 19, 2010 - Recieved official invitation kit
March 26, 2010 - Accepted invitation and sold car

So, as you can see, this process has been pretty extensive and time consuming. Lately, I have been freaking out a little with all the technicalities, paperwork, packing, moving, and researching that needs to be done before my departure on June 2. Talking on facebook with my fellow Sierra Leonean volunteers has been very helpful in my information gathering about what should be packed and what may or may not be acceptable in Sierra Leone.

Last night, I attended a public school function to promote reading in public schools of Greene County, Alabama. One of the first people that I met at this function was a woman by the name of Julia Spree that was a PCV in Iran in 1971. She absolutely revived my excitement over this upcoming experience. She said it was the most fascinating thing that she had ever done and told me specific stories of her time as a volunteer. She also answered all of the questions that I had ab out culture shock, coming home, financial issues, and what gifts to take to my future possible host family.

I'm excited, but running out of time to get everything ready.