Two days until I leave my home, city, state, bedroom, nice comfortable bed, and dog. Four days until I say good-bye to my family, until I leave for Philadelphia for staging, until I meet about 55 other Peace Corps trainees, and until my life changes forever. On Easter Sunday morning after we go to church my family and I will head to Minneapolis for two days to spend time with my brother, his girlfriend, and my nephew. Then on Tuesday morning I fly out of Minneapolis at 6:45am to Philadelphia. I have orientation (Peace Corps calls it staging) from 12pm-7pm. I then will have a hotel room from 7pm-midnight. At midnight we will check out of our hotel and a bus will pick us up to take us to the airport in New York City. We will be about 4-5 hours early for our flight to Guatemala which doesn't leave until 7:15am, but I guess it is better to be early than late.
I have had a quite a lot of emotions lately. Anywhere from being excited to nervous to scared to relaxed to stressed. But I am mostly just excited to get to Guatemala to start learning about what I will be doing for the next 2 years, to learn about the Guatemalan culture, and to meet new people. I am not quite sure why but I feel like leaving home this time is a lot harder than I think it should be. I left home when I was just 16 years old to live one year in Brazil as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. I came home for a year, graduated high school, and then went to Mexico for another year of Rotary Youth Exchange. And in college I studied abroad in Spain for a semester. I think I have become comfortable living at home for the last two years, which I guess is not a bad thing, just makes leaving a little bit harder, but it is time to move on.
When I was an exchange student in Merida, Mexico I went on a mission trip with my school over Holy Week. (I had to go to a Catholic school even though I was not Catholic) We went into a small Mayan village and taught the kids about Holy Week and about Easter. The people were so nice and welcomed us into their homes, taught us how to make tortillas, and shared their lives with us. Even though I was sleeping on the floor of a school with lots of mosquitoes and experiencing my first bucket baths I had a wonderful week. At the end of the week I told myself that some day I will come back and help these people. When I was thinking that I did not necessarily mean go back to that village but I wanted to go somewhere in the area. I hadn't thought about this experience when I was applying for the Peace Corps. It wasn't until after I knew I was going to Guatemala that I remembered that 7 years ago I had told myself I would go back to live in that area and help the people there. Even though it is not the same country, they border each other and I think of it as relatively close to the same area. When I think of that story it makes it easier for me to go.
I might write one more post before I go. Otherwise, you will hear from me when I am in Guatemala!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
My Bucket List for 27 months in Guatemala
I made a list of things I either want to accomplish or work on during my 27 months in Guatemala (which by the way is only ONE month away!!)
- Climb a volcano
- Learn a Mayan language
- Exercise daily
- Read
- Pray
- Meditate
- Journal
- Update this blog on a regular basis
- Live a simpler life
- Adopt a dog
- Figure out my future
- Learn to cook Guatemalan food
- Run on a regular basis
- Run at least a half marathon possibly a full marathon
- Eat healthy
- Stay Gluten-free
- Laugh daily
- Stay positive
- Knit
- Appreciate the little things in life
- Love my work
- Become a better public speaker
- Learn to practice yoga
- Go ziplining in the Guatemalan jungle
- Visit home (USA) at least once
- Make Guatemala my home
- Stay in the present moment
- Learn a local craft
- Learn a new word in Spanish daily
- Make at least on Guatemalan friend - hopefully more
- Become part of a Guatemalan family
- Visit Tikal - Mayan ruins
- Visit my old host family in Merida, Mexico
- Educate many people about health topics
- Make friends with my local neighborhood kids
- Learn to wash all my clothes by hand
- Live as stress-free as possible
- Find the love of my life =)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Family
Last weekend I made a trip over to Minneapolis
As I was driving out of the Twin Cities last weekend a lot of things were going through my mind and I started to cry. What am I doing leaving everything for two years of my life, to go to a place I have never been to (I don’t consider the time I spent 5 minutes jumping back and forth between the Mexican and Guatemalan border actually being there), and to hopefully help people I don’t even know. Am I out of my mind? After the tears cleared from my eyes, I-94 out of Minneapolis
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Timeline
This is my Peace Corps application timeline. I am not sure if all the dates are exact but they are close enough.
Fall of 2006 - Started thinking about going into the Peace Corps after I graduated college.
Sometime in 2007 - Started the application but never finished it. It was not the right time for me.
2007- July 2010 - Continued to have Peace Corps in the back of my mind.
July 2010 - I went on a mission trip to Honduras to build 2 houses for poor people. During this trip I kept asking myself could I do this for 2 years. At the end of the trip the answer was "YES, I wanted to join the Peace Corps." If I didn't do it now I had the feeling I won't ever do it.
August 2010-September 2010 - Worked on my application.
September 28th - Two of my references submitted their reference letters.
September 30th - Submitted my application and my health status questionnaire online.
October 8th 2010 - Received an e-mail from my recruiter saying they received my application and he want me to submit a skill addenda. Also my last reference submitted their reference letter.
October 9th 2010 - Received a packet in the mail with fingerprint cards.
October 15th 2010 - Went to the local police station to get my fingerprints taken by a policeman. (I felt like I was being arrested) Mailed my fingerprints packet back to Peace Corps.
October 25th 2010 - Received an e-mail from my recruiter saying that one of my references was still missing. Wrote him back saying I was pretty sure they were all submitted. He wrote back 5 minutes later saying that he found the other reference letter and that he would be contacting me shortly about the next steps.
October 27th 2010 - E-mail from my recruiter wants to set up an interview.
October 28th 2010 - Call recruiter and set up an interview in Chicago for November 10th.
November 10th 2010 - Had interview with recruiter in Chicago. I was nervous at the beginning but it went really well. He said that because I was available to go anytime he would have to nominate me for a program that was still open, which would be Central Asia, teaching English, and leaving in March. He said he was going to check with the Peace Corps Headquarters to see if he could nominate me for a Central/South American health position. He told me to call him on Monday the 15th.
November 15th 2010 - Call recruiter he is nominating me for Central/South America for a Health Extension Program leaving in April. So excited I was nominated for my first choice, but I know that things could change so I stay flexible. I look on PeaceCorpsWiki.com and find out the the only Health Extension program for Central/South America leaving in April is Guatemala.
November 27th, 2010 - Receive a medical packet from Peace Corps. Freaking out a little bit with all the information they want to know.
December 6th, 2010 - Dentist appointment and cleaning -12 x-rays taken. No cavities!
December 24th 2010 - Went to see my regular doctor for him to fill out all the paperwork, pap, blood tests including - Hep B, Hep C, G6PD, HIV, urine sample. Doctor ran out of time with me said he would finish up paperwork later.
December 27th 2010 - Went to have TB test placed and repeat urine sample.
December 29th 2010 - Went to have TB test read.
January 4th 2011 - Picked up paperwork from doctor. Realized I needed a copy of my pap report, immunization record, and I needed a Polio vaccine, they gave it to me then. I think the clinic was happy when I was leaving.
January 5th 2011 - Went back to the clinic because the doctor forgot to put his medical number on the paperwork. Made copies of all the paperwork, then sent in my medical packet just in time because I left for Honduras that day for 10 days.
January 18th 2011 - I e-mail the medical office because I haven't gotten a notification that Peace Corps received my medical packet. I start having nightmares about having to do all of the medical paperwork over again.
January 20th 2011 - I receive a notification on my online tool kit that they received my medical packet and that I am Dentally Cleared!! Nightmares are over.
January 31st 2011 - I receive notification that my pre-service nurse is reviewing my paperwork.
February 5th 2011 - I receive a letter in the mail saying I need an ophthalmologist to fill out paperwork about a surgery I had when I was one year old, a repeated CBC because my white blood count was low on the first one, complete metabolic panel, and a personal statement about having Celiac Disease.
February 7th 2011 - Go back to clinic to have more blood taken. Drop paperwork off at ophthalmologist. Picked up completed paperwork in the afternoon.
February 8th 2011 - Go back to clinic to pick up lab work. Fax all the paperwork back to Peace Corps office.
February 9th 2011 - There was a message on the machine from my pre-service nurse saying she had one more question for me.
February 10th 2011 - Called pre-service nurse back and answered her question. She told me I was medically qualified!!
February 11th 2011 - Received an e-mail from the Health desk placement assistant requesting an updated resume.
February 14th 2011 - Sent in an updated resume.
February 16th 2011 - Received a phone call from Placement officer at 9am (See blog post below). Had a 3 minute phone call with Placement Officer. He told me he was sending out an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps in Central/South America leaving in April, my original nomination.
February 18th 2011 - My Dad called me at 3pm at work telling me my Peace Corps package arrived at home. I wouldn't be home until 10:45pm, longest 8 hours shift ever. Came home from work opened my package and found out I was invited in Guatemala as a health promoter in a program called Healthy Homes!!
Fall of 2006 - Started thinking about going into the Peace Corps after I graduated college.
Sometime in 2007 - Started the application but never finished it. It was not the right time for me.
2007- July 2010 - Continued to have Peace Corps in the back of my mind.
July 2010 - I went on a mission trip to Honduras to build 2 houses for poor people. During this trip I kept asking myself could I do this for 2 years. At the end of the trip the answer was "YES, I wanted to join the Peace Corps." If I didn't do it now I had the feeling I won't ever do it.
August 2010-September 2010 - Worked on my application.
September 28th - Two of my references submitted their reference letters.
September 30th - Submitted my application and my health status questionnaire online.
October 8th 2010 - Received an e-mail from my recruiter saying they received my application and he want me to submit a skill addenda. Also my last reference submitted their reference letter.
October 9th 2010 - Received a packet in the mail with fingerprint cards.
October 15th 2010 - Went to the local police station to get my fingerprints taken by a policeman. (I felt like I was being arrested) Mailed my fingerprints packet back to Peace Corps.
October 25th 2010 - Received an e-mail from my recruiter saying that one of my references was still missing. Wrote him back saying I was pretty sure they were all submitted. He wrote back 5 minutes later saying that he found the other reference letter and that he would be contacting me shortly about the next steps.
October 27th 2010 - E-mail from my recruiter wants to set up an interview.
October 28th 2010 - Call recruiter and set up an interview in Chicago for November 10th.
November 10th 2010 - Had interview with recruiter in Chicago. I was nervous at the beginning but it went really well. He said that because I was available to go anytime he would have to nominate me for a program that was still open, which would be Central Asia, teaching English, and leaving in March. He said he was going to check with the Peace Corps Headquarters to see if he could nominate me for a Central/South American health position. He told me to call him on Monday the 15th.
November 15th 2010 - Call recruiter he is nominating me for Central/South America for a Health Extension Program leaving in April. So excited I was nominated for my first choice, but I know that things could change so I stay flexible. I look on PeaceCorpsWiki.com and find out the the only Health Extension program for Central/South America leaving in April is Guatemala.
November 27th, 2010 - Receive a medical packet from Peace Corps. Freaking out a little bit with all the information they want to know.
December 6th, 2010 - Dentist appointment and cleaning -12 x-rays taken. No cavities!
December 24th 2010 - Went to see my regular doctor for him to fill out all the paperwork, pap, blood tests including - Hep B, Hep C, G6PD, HIV, urine sample. Doctor ran out of time with me said he would finish up paperwork later.
December 27th 2010 - Went to have TB test placed and repeat urine sample.
December 29th 2010 - Went to have TB test read.
January 4th 2011 - Picked up paperwork from doctor. Realized I needed a copy of my pap report, immunization record, and I needed a Polio vaccine, they gave it to me then. I think the clinic was happy when I was leaving.
January 5th 2011 - Went back to the clinic because the doctor forgot to put his medical number on the paperwork. Made copies of all the paperwork, then sent in my medical packet just in time because I left for Honduras that day for 10 days.
January 18th 2011 - I e-mail the medical office because I haven't gotten a notification that Peace Corps received my medical packet. I start having nightmares about having to do all of the medical paperwork over again.
January 20th 2011 - I receive a notification on my online tool kit that they received my medical packet and that I am Dentally Cleared!! Nightmares are over.
January 31st 2011 - I receive notification that my pre-service nurse is reviewing my paperwork.
February 5th 2011 - I receive a letter in the mail saying I need an ophthalmologist to fill out paperwork about a surgery I had when I was one year old, a repeated CBC because my white blood count was low on the first one, complete metabolic panel, and a personal statement about having Celiac Disease.
February 7th 2011 - Go back to clinic to have more blood taken. Drop paperwork off at ophthalmologist. Picked up completed paperwork in the afternoon.
February 8th 2011 - Go back to clinic to pick up lab work. Fax all the paperwork back to Peace Corps office.
February 9th 2011 - There was a message on the machine from my pre-service nurse saying she had one more question for me.
February 10th 2011 - Called pre-service nurse back and answered her question. She told me I was medically qualified!!
February 11th 2011 - Received an e-mail from the Health desk placement assistant requesting an updated resume.
February 14th 2011 - Sent in an updated resume.
February 16th 2011 - Received a phone call from Placement officer at 9am (See blog post below). Had a 3 minute phone call with Placement Officer. He told me he was sending out an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps in Central/South America leaving in April, my original nomination.
February 18th 2011 - My Dad called me at 3pm at work telling me my Peace Corps package arrived at home. I wouldn't be home until 10:45pm, longest 8 hours shift ever. Came home from work opened my package and found out I was invited in Guatemala as a health promoter in a program called Healthy Homes!!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Guatemala!!
Life is calling, and how far will I go? To Guatemala!! On Friday I left my house at 1:15pm to go to work. At 3pm my Dad called me at work telling me that the Peace Corps package had arrived but I wouldn't be home from work until 10:45pm. That was the longest 8 hour shift ever. I came home opened the package and found out that I will be going to Guatemala to work as a Health Promoter in a program called Healthy Homes. I will be leaving for a one day orientation in the United States (called staging) on April 26th where I will meet maybe 50 other Peace Corps volunteer who will go with me to Guatemala. Then on April 27th we will fly down to Guatemala together to begin 3 months of training. After I finish training I will become an official Peace Corps Volunteer and be on my own in a city or village.
The following goals have been established for the Healthy Homes project: (according to the information I received about my assignment)
The following goals have been established for the Healthy Homes project: (according to the information I received about my assignment)
- To train rural health promoters and educators on health and basic hygiene in order to promote and apply practices learned to improve their communities' health.
- To train rural families to improve their health and hygiene practices in order to enhance their well-being.
- To train health promoters, educators, and rural families in the benefits, use, supervision, and maintenance of sanitary infrastructures (latrines, water deposits, sump pits, improved wood burning stoves, and cement floors) in order to improve their health.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
It's official I am a blogger and a Peace Corps Invitee
I have been thinking about starting this blog for a while. I have been reading other Peace Corps volunteer's and applicant's blogs since I first applied by at the end of September 2010. Today is my day off and I decided not to sent an alarm. At about 9am this morning I was in the middle of a nice dream (I don't remember what I was dreaming) when I heard my cell phone ring. I looked at my cell phone to see who was calling me early in the morning on my day off. I didn't look at the whole number the only thing that stuck out to me was seeing an area code of 202. Since I had been reading other applicant's blogs I knew that the area code of 202 is Washington D.C. where the Peace Corps Headquarters is located. I then knew that my Placement Officer was calling me to have a final interview with me. I quickly sat up in bed, cleared my throat and took a few deep breaths before I answered the phone. Yes it was indeed the Placement Officer he asked me a few questions like if I was still interested in the Peace Corps and if I have been doing more research on the Peace Corps. He asked if I was still available to leave in April as that was my original nomination. I said I was available whenever Peace Corps was ready for me. He then let me know that he would be sending me an invitation to Central/South America for April!! In 5 days from now I should know what country I will be spending 27 months of my life!! I have a strong feeling that it is Guatemala because Guatemala is leaving the end of April and they have a health extension program, which is what I will do. After I got off the phone I came out of my room and announced to my mom "I'm going in the Peace Corps"! She gave me a big hug and she wanted to know what he asked. I couldn't remember a single question he asked me, but I thought it was about a 10 minute conversation. I went back to my phone to see how long the conversation was, it was only 3 minutes!! I have heard of other people having their final interview last almost 2 hours but the average is usually 25 minutes. Mine was only 3 minutes!
I am going to try to update this blog as much as possible while I am in country . I am not sure how much Internet access I will have but I am sure I could get to Internet at least once a month. So bookmark this page and follow me into my next 27 months adventure in the Peace Corps.
I am going to try to update this blog as much as possible while I am in country . I am not sure how much Internet access I will have but I am sure I could get to Internet at least once a month. So bookmark this page and follow me into my next 27 months adventure in the Peace Corps.
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