The Night Before Jitters

So the official countdown has begun..... 12 hours!

Last weekend I had a wonderful BBQ with all of my closest friends and family, followed by the most bomb.com float trip! I got to visit my Dad and his family for 4 days in Joplin and have been relaxing for the last week. But yesterday started "crunch time"..... i.e time to actually start packing and shopping and running errands! I'm not sure how it all came together so easily and quickly but I'm packed and ready to go and my to-do list is completely checked off. That gives me just enough relaxation time to have my last junk food-junk TV night!

I thought about posting my packing list but it was outrageously long. Sooooo aside from clothing and toiletries, a few favorite I'm bringing are my Kindle (reading is fun), laptop, white noise maker, journals, mac n' cheese sauce, a years worth of Cosmo, and some special gifts from friends and family.

Next time I write, it will be from Ecuador!!!!! Hasta Luego!

Application Timeline

In yet another attempt to procrastinate, I have gathered up an application timeline. I was discussing the timeline with a good friend of mine when it dawned on me just how great it was that I made it through the process. First, I feel amazingly privileged to be selected to serve in the Peace Corps. Second, I am pretty shocked at myself for completing it! I have a habit of procrastinating and changing my mind and having a "grass is greener on the other side" mentality. So I think it is quite an accomplishment and proves just how much I want this!

Application Timeline

June 26, 2008- submitted application online
June 30- 1st email from Recruiter asking for college transcripts
July 13-24- PC received fingerprints, addendum, college transcript, and recommendations
July 29- Interview in Dallas with Recruiter
July 29- Officially Nominated for Eastern Europe, May 2009, Special Education
August 3- received medical packet
December 13- submitted medical packet
December 30- Dental Clearance
January 9- Medical office needs more information
March 27- Medical Clearance
April 2- Phone call from Placement Officer saying that I missed the cutoff date for Eastern Europe and my nomination has been changed to Central/South America, June 2009, Special Education
April 7- Received Official invite in the mail! Ecuador, June 15th, Youth and Families, Child Development- Special needs
April 9- Called to accept invitation!

I am now in the process of sending in Passport info and my Aspiration Statement!

It's Official

Yesterday I turned 23...... AND officially accepted my invitation to serve in the Peace Corps! Big day! I will be heading to Ecuador June 15th for Child development-special needs. This is probably the most exciting yet terrifying news I've ever received. It's strange to dream about something for so long and then it actually become a reality.

More to come later.... I just wanted to see how this silly blog thing works.