Saturday, February 26, 2011

Takeoff in 10, 9...



This will be my final entry until takeoff. I am feeling a myriad of emotions right now, I feel my head spinning in all directions. I'm anxious; its hard to put myself to bed at night. Yet, I feel enthusiastic about getting to meet all of my fellow PCV at staging. There's also a bit of sadness in having to leave behind all of the people and things that I have grown attached to and love. True, it will be an experience that will shape me in ways I cannot yet foresee. All I hope for is that I am up for the challenge.


My plane leaves Minneapolis at 11:30 am and lands in Philadelphia at 2:30 pm on Sunday the 27th on Delta airlines. That's precisely one and a half days from now!!! I register at the hotel on Sunday night and wake up the next morning to begin my staging process. Monday will be a day full of meeting new people, finishing up paperwork, orientation, and saying our final goodbyes to America.


I fly out on Tuesday from New York's JFK and fly to Johannesburg, South Africa for an overnight stay before hopping on a puddle jumper to Antananarivo, Madagascar on March 2 (a day before my birthday!). I feel this days kind of snuck up on me despite the fact that I've already been graduated for two months.


I've just been trying to live in the present and not take things for granted as much. Its been a joy being able to bond with family and friends at my home in Minnesota and Chicago. I love the snow (except for the pain in the butt blizzard we had last weekend). I love my mom's pho. I love shopping outlets, watching X-files, and being able to gain wireless connection pretty much everywhere I go. I know I will make the most out of being in Madagascar, despite not having these things, or at least I hope to.


I won't be able to get internet or telephone access for the first few days I am in Mada. Rest assured, the in-country director Kelly Daly told us that, “no news is good news in Peace Corps”. I will have to rely on a lot of trust and self-confidence to get through this I feel.


I'm not usually someone who lets her fate, especially when it comes to big decisions be taken out of her hands but I've realized with this Peace Corps process its absolutely necessary. They are a huge bureaucratic government organization that is honest in admitting that it takes its dear time in process volunteers paperwork.


Time line:


March 17, 2010: submitted online application (which was super extensive and required a full medical questionnaire, with three recommendations, resume).


April 10th: received a call from her recruiter in Chicago to have an interview


April 22nd: Had an interview. He was really amiable, I almost felt like I was talking to an old friend


April 25: Received a nomination to Sub-Saharan Africa.


May 29th: Went in for first doctors visit


July 7: Went in for second doctor visit since I still needed to receive shots, and have more lab work done


August 20th: Went in for third doctor visit. I received my third notice from the Peace Corps saying that my file was incomplete. I passed out after the fourth vile of blood was drawn. I didn't know they would give me apple juice as a cure.


Mid-October: My file was cleared!!!! Finally I am on my way to become an official invitee.


November 5th: I received a big blue welcome packet to French speaking Madagascar! All I knew about this island at this point was that it was a Disney movie with cute lemurs, its an island, and that there are environmental concerns there.


February 27: Staging in Philadelphia, PA


March 2: Arrive in Madagascar


So more or less the whole process took about a year. So if you are thinking of applying, do so about a year before you want to depart.


Once I arrive I will be living with a Malagasy family. I am so excited about this. I requested that they have tiny children. Since I know that children are the best at teaching you a foreign language, since they are less critical than adults, and vocabulary is well... still fundamental.


Well I promise the next post will be a lot more interesting than these last few have been.


But farewell and thank everyone for supporting me!