Lots of people on Peace Corps Journals talk about RAS (Restless Applicant Syndrome). I definitely have it- even more so now after getting through a medical hold up yesterday- one that has taken months to figure out- and from that, I can say, good doctors make all the difference! Anyway, hopefully I will be receiving medical clearance shortly. Because of this, I am becoming more and more restless.
At this point, I don't plan on leaving until the end of August at the earliest so that I can be at Heidi and Dale's wedding, however, I would love to have an invitation sooner rather than later so that I know what my future holds. I have decided though, I think if/when I hear from placement, if they tell me an invitation will be in the mail, I kinda don't want to know the region. I have concluded that I am fine with anywhere. Every location would be an adventure. I want to know approximate departure date, but if I know location too, I will be on Peace Corps Wiki immediately trying to figure out where. The more I have thought about it, the more I kind of want that element of surprise.
Hopefully next time I update, the title will be MEDICAL CLEARANCE!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Say Yes to the Dress!
I guess there is one other thing I have been involved in....
http://www.stpeterherald.com/content/wedding-dress-quest-drifts-east-big-apple
http://www.stpeterherald.com/content/wedding-dress-quest-drifts-east-big-apple
Thursday, January 27, 2011
10 months and counting...
It has been far longer than I anticipated since I last posted. In the Peace Corps applicant world, that isn't a good thing. Between work, trial medications, and trying to figure out my next move, I still do not have medical clearance. This is the one thing holding me back at this point. I submitted my online application 10 months ago. That is a long time, unfortunately I know there is still more waiting.
Work you say- I thought you were volunteering? In late November I took on a paraprofessional position at one of the local schools. My mornings are spent working with struggling readers who qualify for Title 1 additional reading support. During the afternoon, I work one-on-one with a nonverbal, autistic, kindergartner. This part of my job is by far the most challenging experience I have had thus far, however, so far it has proven to 1) have taught me so incredibly much and 2) had quite a few rewarding moments. When I started, this little boy could only say numbers, letters, and his name. Now, less than two months later, he is saying some 2 and 3 word phrases, like, "big, blue, triangle" and my two favourite things, "Hi. I am (insert his name here)." and "I want (insert item) please." This is huge. I was ecstatic yesterday when I was told, "I want to poop please." As frustrating as the job is sometimes when he is screaming and throwing a fit, I really do enjoy seeing how much my little boy has progressed. Another big change with him, when I started, he was pulled out of the classroom almost the entire afternoon, now, I have him back in the classroom for at least 3/4 of the afternoon.
Over the past few months I have debated back and forth about what I want to do with my life and while possible career paths have changed, the one thing that has always been there is Peace Corps. I even toyed with the idea of Teach for America for a year or two and then Peace Corps, but that isn't the right program for me. I feel like the fact that I can't get Peace Corps out of my mind is a good sign that it is the right thing for me. I want to be one of those people whose blog shows up on the Peace Corps Journals site exclaiming being invited. I want this more than anything right now.
Work you say- I thought you were volunteering? In late November I took on a paraprofessional position at one of the local schools. My mornings are spent working with struggling readers who qualify for Title 1 additional reading support. During the afternoon, I work one-on-one with a nonverbal, autistic, kindergartner. This part of my job is by far the most challenging experience I have had thus far, however, so far it has proven to 1) have taught me so incredibly much and 2) had quite a few rewarding moments. When I started, this little boy could only say numbers, letters, and his name. Now, less than two months later, he is saying some 2 and 3 word phrases, like, "big, blue, triangle" and my two favourite things, "Hi. I am (insert his name here)." and "I want (insert item) please." This is huge. I was ecstatic yesterday when I was told, "I want to poop please." As frustrating as the job is sometimes when he is screaming and throwing a fit, I really do enjoy seeing how much my little boy has progressed. Another big change with him, when I started, he was pulled out of the classroom almost the entire afternoon, now, I have him back in the classroom for at least 3/4 of the afternoon.
Over the past few months I have debated back and forth about what I want to do with my life and while possible career paths have changed, the one thing that has always been there is Peace Corps. I even toyed with the idea of Teach for America for a year or two and then Peace Corps, but that isn't the right program for me. I feel like the fact that I can't get Peace Corps out of my mind is a good sign that it is the right thing for me. I want to be one of those people whose blog shows up on the Peace Corps Journals site exclaiming being invited. I want this more than anything right now.
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