The Invitation!

On Saturday, November 1st, my invitation packet arrived. I knew it was on it's way, but wasn't expecting it to arrive for a few more days. Oh well! I couldn't believe how big the packet was. As I held it, waiting to open it, until everything was exactly perfect, I thought about all of the months of waiting. I thought about the epic journey to get my polio shot, and the physicals, and the papers, and the papers, the recommendations, the interview, and everything that put this ball in motion. I thought about telling people, and realizing that "it's time" and how much everyone meant to me leading up to this and how much they will continue to mean to me while I have good days and bad days, days when 2 years won't end soon enough and days when I won't want to return to the states. It took me a good 10 minutes to sit down and open it....that was a lot of thinking.
Before I could get the envelope open I saw the word "Madagascar" through the address window. Really? That couldn't be it? I was told Western Africa...I talked about Western Africa. I spent days watching films about the diamond trade and other atrocities preparing myself for the worst. But I went ahead. Opened it...that also took a while. It was a bear of an envelope to get into.
It really did say Madagascar. It was just some other country that processes information or whatever. My first thought was "OMG This is AMAZING....OMG, OMG. Madagascar, that's the country I did a report on in 7th grade. They have all sorts of crazy animals there. Bergman talked about it a lot in class. OMG!" My next thought was filled with laughter as earlier that week Chris and I were discussing the placement potentials and he brought up Madagascar in reference to the movie and suspected that the animals there are going to sound like Chris Rock. Of all the random countries for him to make jokes about, it was that one! It cracks me up still!
Next I felt both relieved and a little disappointed. I had worked so hard to get myself emotionally ready for Western Africa, and I was so looking forward to the difficulties that present themselves in that region. That's the Africa I've always wanted to see and be part of, so I felt let down. At the same time, yes, relieved that I wouldn't have to go to sleep every night worried that by sunrise there'd be a rebel group in the village hunting people down. God has a plan and God knows better. I've prayed about this so I know this is where I will be my greatest. My emotions were processed, kind of, I don't think they will be in full for about 4 more years, so I decided it was time to work down the list of people to call. I've been thinking about this list very delicately and wanted to break the news a little at a time. First the parents. They were out at a dinner with the church and the Dreyers so I knew there was a chance they wouldn't be there right away. I called Karen to fill in the time until Mom and Dad got home, but wouldn't tell her where exactly. Eventually the parents returned and celebrated the relief, and then mother started crying...of course...which is fine because ever since I found out my placement was being mailed out I've been a mess. They seemed happy for me and were very supportive. The irony (according to Alanis irony) is that I'll be leaving right around Ken's birthday and returning around Dad's. Also, I'll be back to see Karen graduate college which is really exciting. I wonder what I'll wear? Karen was telephoned next to get the final details and she sounded pretty pumped. The grandmothers followed and were glad to know it's a stable part of Africa and they were also very glad and had other good news from both sides of the family to pass along. Fall 2008 is a good time to be alive, despite the economic downturn. Next was young Christopher, a heartbreaking call, but what a wonderful friend. He sounded like he was waiting at his computer ready to look up all the interesting details for wherever I was going. Together we learned more about Madagascar...mostly about the carnivorous squirrels, over sized man eating crocodiles, and cyclones (basically all the things that would kill me). It doesn't look too bad to be honest, unless he was hiding some things from me! Then came some other friends, the Aaron's, Justin's, and Sarah's. There are a few more I would like to call, but it's now up on good old facebook.
It also sounds like communication with the American world will be tremendously trying and limited while I'm there. How often this gets updated will be a mystery, but as I can I will. I'll have to me more brief-good news for the readers!
Currently my greatest concerns involve what to do with my hair. I've look up some recipes and traditional foods and that is no longer a concern...fruit and rice. I think I can deal with that!
Now I have this mountain of paperwork to cut through to get visas and passports and declaring my beneficiaries. Does Buttons count?

Letting Go of the Sippy Cup and Binki

Evan called today!! He's nominating me for a position in Sub Saharan Africa, in a French speaking area, and the group leaves in February. Hot Damn! I'm pretty excited about it. His other option was in central Africa which would be pretty cool too...but I'm pretty excited about all this! It kind of gives me butterflies! Next is medical reviewing and then some more waiting! Pretty fantastic I must say!

Happiness is a new dance leotard that I won't buy because I know I won't need it where I'm going!

Potty Training?

Today I was accomplished...mailed in my last check for my car (shout out to G-mom), e-mailed in my loan info, and Vila finished his recommendation. This evening Evan (my recruiter) called me...that was fast! It was only a message and I'm to call him back tomorrow...it is amazing to be this accelerated with everything. It would almost be awesome if I didn't have to worry about a summer job, but I would like to be around for the move and have a chance to maybe go out West for a bit. We shall see...I'm sure it will still be quite some time before I'd leave!

Sidebar: Zimbabwe elections are going on...well have gone on...and they are still waiting for the results and the current leader is being not nice about stepping down. It made me really think of the instabilities in African countries right now and how real they still are. I guess, even after the Africa forum, I feel like those instabilities happened several years ago and they are still settling down these days. But, no. Exciting times we live in.

Happiness is in the rain that makes spring become summer.

PC Application...Toddler Stage

I decided that I want to try (again) and keep a blog, but specifically about my Peace Corps endeavors. My hope is that when I'm "gone" to another part of the world, I'll have some access to internet, although it would be really cool if i didn't, and can keep everyone at home updated on what my life involves. So why not start now...
Last week was the big interview. I decided that moved me from being in the infant stages of the application process to the toddler stage. I have my loan deferment stuff still to do, and Vila's recommendation, but after that, full fledged toddler!
The interview was fun. I was more concerned about what to wear to it than the actual interview itself! Evan was really nice and down to earth and easy to talk to, although I'm sure I rambled as usual. He asked about my support systems and how they feel about me embarking on this passage of life. I feel really supported by everyone, except G-mom, but her support is mixed...like she tells me now is the time to do it, but then she tells Karen that she doesn't understand why I want to do this. Chris was being a poopy pants about it all yesterday, but oh well...like i asked him; what difference is it going to make if I'm on the other side of the world or another state next year? But, I did discuss Karen's support and how she's probably excited about inheriting my stuff...silly car included.
But the thought of being without that stuff is greatly exciting to me. As i look around my room i feel so cluttered and just out of control about everything. I look forward to the days of like when I lived at the Ranch with one suit case and one backpack. Those days were good...for so many more reasons too!
So now it's sit and wait time for a bit. Focus on the end of school...a summer job?...and the good people around me.

Happiness is the mist....dreary as it may make the day.