Long I Stood

Wow, it's been a while. Anyway, if I were to leave in December as planned (a few days ago), I would have heard by October 21. Well, I was in the middle of a two-week vacation that day. When I bought the airline tickets back in July, I didn't imagine I wouldn't have received an invitation by then. Dad was at home checking the mail for me, and I was checking online. Nothing. Nothing happened. Nothing arrived at home and nothing changed online, so I waited a buffer day and then called to find out what to expect.

The short version is that since the Peace Corps nominates more people than can fit in any given program (about 1.7 people for each 1 slot, she told me), it is pretty common for folks to be nominated to a program and then not get placed. With the tanking economy, weakening of the dollar, decreasing program sizes, and increasing number of applicants, she said, the December programs had about 3 nominees for every slot. It filled up, and I wasn't placed. I felt absolutely average and a little disillusioned. Bleh.

When I told my family, my sister invited me to Denver to help with her kids until summertime. Her sixth baby was on his way, and her husband who travels a lot is in grad school, so more hands would be helpful. So, I'm moving to Colorado after Christmas.

Shortly thereafter, my placement officer called me about a new program in June helping teenage girls make good decisions, get educated, and the like. Sounds awesome.

So, I'm back to where I've been: waiting. Honestly, it would have been easier to get a thanks-for-applying letter than to still be in limbo. What's next for Lauren? It's anybody's guess, folks.

More to come.

Fork in the Road

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Thus begins Robert Frost's oft-quoted (and misquoted) verse about the opportunity costs of life. Lately, as I've been awaiting my invitation, it has occurred to me that I need to make something clear. I am awaiting my invitation, yes, but there is still a chance I won't go. I could get a thanks-for-applying letter instead of an invitation packet. Peace Corps is a job I've been applying for, and it's competitive and getting competitive-er, especially with the weakness of the dollar and all.

Anyway, I have long stood looking down my chosen path, not knowing for sure whether I'll be able to pass that way. I have made sacrifices in order to keep this Peace Corps path open to me, and very soon I will have more information. I just can't see past where it bends in the undergrowth, but I will hear at least six weeks before my departure. Or I won't get invited at all.

This is the real source of anxiety--the not knowing whether, not just wondering where and what day. This, you see, makes all the difference. More to come.

More to Come

I wish I could tell you more (because that would mean I would know more), but I did receive an email this morning from a Peace Corps representative asking me for more information. During the first round of application papers, I hadn't actually graduated yet, so they just needed an updated transcript. Oh. I can do that. I sent it right off.

Here are the promising quotes from the email from which I draw comfort: "I reviewed your file this morning," and "We will continue to process your file through the placement process." I know it doesn't sound like much, but I was beginning to wonder what the H was going on. Now I know, and I'm glad.

I just hope I get an invitation before I'm gone out of town for two weeks. Back in June when I booked this trip, I thought for sure I'd have my assignment by now ... hhhhhhh.

The Surreality of It All

I was shopping for deodorant the other day, and the thought occurred to me that whatever I bought might go with me to Africa. Would this brand be effective wherever I am sent? It was a really odd thing to experience, standing there in the aisle at Wal-Mart thinking about taking this little product to the other side of the world. It's funny to think about which parts of my daily life will go with me or stay the same and which parts won't.

Will I take my guitar? Will I learn to play new instruments? Will I get to go to church regularly, and will it be a really long walk to get there or will I ride a bus half-full of livestock? Will it be desert or jungle and how will that affect my hair, skin, and sweat glands? What kind of shoes will I wear? What will I eat? Will there be Coke?

These questions are not at all new to me (I've been wondering about them for many months), but they are suddenly more real. The jeans I wear sitting in my mother's kitchen will be on my body when I'm sitting in someone else's kitchen halfway around the globe. It's an odd thing, really, and now I've suddenly got Doris Day singing "Que sera, sera" in my head. :) More to come.

Answers!

The letter was mailed Monday. It arrived today. That means it took three days to get from DC to Lehi. The letter was not my invitation; it had that ambiguous decision in it. And yes, a placement officer will call me before they send an invitation, and yes, that means I will probably not have an invite by the birthday next week. (Yeah, the big 3-0. Hooah.)

Long story short: my legs are simply not too short, and I'm apparently the right amount of crazy. And I quote my spooky letter. "You have been medically and dentally qualified for Peace Corps service." Hooray! Hoobadeedoo!

Furthermore, "Your application will now be considered by the Office of Placement, which matches the experience of medically qualified applicants with the requirements of available assignments. They will notify you directly of their decision."

I guess I'll find out soon enough (fingers crossed) what "notify you directly" means. More to come. The moment I know. :)

Anxiety Girl

This is seriously the hardest week I've had during the entire process. What does "a decision has been reached regarding your medical review" really mean? When they completed my dental and legal, the site said "there are no [dental or legal] holds on your account at this time," which stirred up no anxiety for me.

This time, however, I'm anxious, and I've got incessant questions buzzing around in my head. How long does it take a letter to go from Washington, DC, to Lehi, Utah? When did they send the letter -- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? What's in the letter or is it the invitation? Shouldn't a placement officer have called me already if they're sending my invitation? Wouldn't they say invitation instead of letter if it were the invitation, not a spooky letter? If they just needed more information, they wouldn't have said they've reached a decision. Mama mia.

Can you see why I'm freaking out a little? Maybe my legs really are too short! If not, that wording is unfortunate, at best. Hhhhhh. More to come.

Medical Review is Complete

Early this morning, the Peace Corps sent me an email saying my status has changed. This is not a new thing since I got an email like this every time they received something, processed something, or recognized they needed something else from me. This time, however, instead of going back to being on hold while they send me a letter saying I need another shot or doc visit, the site now shows that my medical review is complete.

I quote the site: "Complete. A decision has been reached regarding your medical review. Please look for a letter in the mail."

Now, I saw all my medical files and lab results, and I know I'm fine, but still, there's this lingering irrational anxiety about it all. What if the letter they send says they've discovered that I have some weird disease, that I'm too crazy, not crazy enough, or that my legs are simply too short to be of any service to anyone. What? Maybe if they read my blog, they'll know just what kind of crazy I am. Ha!

Of course, I'll keep my blog updated as things develop. Maybe I'll have my invitation by my birthday next week. That would be a lovely birthday present. More to come.

Quick Update

So, I'm still waiting. Nobody panic. In the last few weeks, the Peace Corps has changed my status on their site back and forth from hold to not on hold, both of which mean they are reviewing my records. During that time, I had to get another booster shot (I now have measles, mumps, and rubella in addition to tetanus and polio) and write a letter saying I don't hurt anywhere despite my report in the first round of application papers that I have had neck pain in my life. Yikes. Anyway, I'm currently not on hold, just on pins and needles. I'll keep you posted.

Inches

And now they show that they are processing my medical packet. This is good. More to come.

Another Inch of Progress

The Peace Corps site is now showing that they have received my medical packet. Two or three days turned into ten, but who's counting? Now they'll scrutinize all the dozens of pages of lab results and other intimate details about what and how my body is doing. I quote the site: "Most exams are reviewed within four to eight weeks of receipt of the completed medical forms." I'll be counting.

After that, they'll determine if there are some places in the world I should not go based on what they find in my medical packet. Again, the PC site: "OMS will determine if you have a worldwide qualification, a limited qualification, a deferral period, or if you are medically not qualified to serve in the Peace Corps." I expect to have worldwide clearance.

After all of that (and everything else from the preceding months), my placement officer will match my skills to the needs of a particular area and officially invite me for service. Of course, I'll keep you all posted.

More to come. More to do.

Still Waiting

The Peace Corps site says the dental packet may precede the receipt of the medical packet by 2 to 3 days (despite the fact that they arrived in the same envelope). I was prepared for that. Even taking into consideration the weekend, they should show that they have my packet by now. It's making me crazy. Crazier. Whatever. More to come (the very moment I know).

Progress -- Dental Clearance

The Peace Corps has now completed my dental review and my legal review. No problems. This means they have received my final packet. According to the timelines on the Web site, they should be reviewing the rest of my medical packet next week.

Once it's all cleared (legal and dental down, medical and place to go), they'll make a final placement decision and send me an invitation to serve. Then I'll know when I leave, where I'm going, what language I'll speak, and general living conditions. I'll know how and when to pack and how to prepare. There will still be things to do to be ready, of course, but the largest chunk of current questions will be answered, at least.

It sounds like I'm talking about someone else when I lay it all out like that, but at the same time, I'm wicked excited. Hooah.

A Shout-Out to Bohn and Francie

So, I gave a little holla to my dad for Father's Day, and then I missed my parents' anniversary and my mom's birthday, so here's a belated pictorial tribute to the pair of them.


First, this is my mom as a teenager in front of the farmhouse where she lived until she married my dad. The window behind her head is the room where she was born. Nice shorts, Ma.


Standing outside the church with the weirdness on the doors are my grandma, Aunt Donna, and my mom.
Mom and Dad were married in June of 1964. From left to right, we have Pappa, Grandmother Judy, Bohn, Francie, Grandma Kiester, and Uncle Dave. Mom's dad had passed away, so Dave walked her down the aisle. The closest temple to western Pennsylvania was in Utah, which was a little too far to go on Dad's short pass from the Air Force.
After a short stint in Alabama, they moved to Idaho so they could be sealed in the temple a short seven months after they were married. This is the tiny trailer they lived in near the base in Mountain Home. According to their recollection of its tiny-ness, you can almost see the whole thing in this picture. I believe Mom made that skirt.
Picnicking with friends. They still sit that close.

This is at the farmhouse in Pennsylvania. They are on the way to church.

This is sometime in the 1980s. This is the house I grew up in, and the wash stand behind Mom is from the farmhouse she grew up in. I'm not sure where the piano was when this shot was taken, but for most of my childhood, it was on the wall behind Dad.


This last shot is from Thanksgiving 2007. I do believe Dad is preparing the potatoes, as is tradition.
Happy anniversary, you guys.

Now the Waiting Begins

For real, y'all. I don't know what took me so long (finishing school?), but I have finally put in all my papers. Actually, there were some immunization/dental records holdups, and I was pretty particular about crossing all my T's and dotting all my I's. Hoops, hoops, hoops -- it's a little like college.

Anyway, I mailed my complete medical packet today, so now all I can do is wait for my invitation to serve which will include my country and departure date. It's a little like a mission call. It will also tell me what language I'll most likely be speaking. Yikes a little.

I'm pretty excited. It's a little surreal. I am a mix of feelings, but I'm mostly excited and happy ... and excited. More to come. As always: http://www.peacecorps.gov.

Father's Day

Here's a quick tribute to my dad for Father's Day. Dig his "I'm a bad-A" stance as he welcomes us back to the 1970s. Suddenly I hear Barry Gibb singing.This one is of my parents before they were married welcoming us to the early 1960s. I do believe my mom made those matching shirts. Everything about this photo kills me -- the posing, the leaning, the lip-biting, the cat-eye glasses. It's fantastic.
Thanks for raising us right, y'all. And for letting someone take pictures of you.

It's Not That I Didn't Want Feedback

It's just that I couldn't figure out why I couldn't show the comments option. But I got it now. I've caught up. Whew! Now you can tell me what you think of my ramblings and rantings. Ready, go.

Call Me Irresponsible

So, I've been listening to Michael Buble sing "Call Me Irresponsible" since yesterday. It's a funny story, really. After much deliberation, I decided to back out of the bike tour for several reasons:

1. At two weeks before my departure, I still had no definite end date, which meant I couldn't plan any August visits before I leave for two years.
2. At two weeks before my departure, I didn't know what tours I'd be doing.
3. At two weeks before my departure, I had nothing in writing from the bike tour company about what to bring, how to pack, or any employee paperwork.
4. I still did not know exactly what I was going to be paid.
5. I called the bike tour man almost every week since he hired me (April 25), and his answer to the above quandaries was always, "Call me next week, and I'll have that information for you, okay?"
6. The bike tour man never returned my phone calls, responded to my emails, or had any information for me when I did get him on the phone.
7. If he couldn't communicate with me, I wondered how often I'd find myself stranded with people's children without a campsite reservation. My confidence level was quite low.
8. I know I'm not a criminal, but he didn't do a background check on me. That means he didn't do one on whoever my partner would be, and he was going to send us out together with people's children.

It was a difficult decision to come to because I felt I had made a commitment (and had bought two plane tickets), but it seemed I was the only one of the two of us who was committed. I also wanted to do the tours because they sounded awfully fun, but I'd rather not miss my family when they visit in August, not to mention #1-8 above.

Anyway, I called him yesterday to tell him it just wasn't going to work for me. I did not lay out the above reasons in our one-minute phone call, but he did manage to tell me I'm irresponsible. Yes, HE called ME that. Amazing.

So, feel free to sing along with me at any time. I'll be here all summer, folks.

Bike Tour -- The New Grumpy

So, I'm going on a bike tour in New England this summer. Maybe two. I've been hired to lead teenagers across the northeast on a biking/camping/hosteling trip, and I leave the day after spring finals. I'll probably do two tours, but I don't know which ones just yet because the man who owns the company hasn't assigned leaders to specific trips yet. And it's making me crazy.

I guess it wouldn't make me so crazy if he could just say that he can't tell me until I arrive for training. This "call me next week" business gets pretty old pretty quickly, and I'd really like to make August plans. Doesn't he know I've got people to see before I leave for two years?

Honestly, brother, make a decision (so I can).

And now, ladies and gentlemen!

I am pretty sure I have all my medical documentation in my hot little hands. I'm looking at the stack (and I do mean stack), but I'm not sure I believe it, even though I am well aware of all the indignities I've recently endured. Never mind. Anyway, I'll probably check through it six or seven hundred times and then mail it in. Then, truly, all I can do is wait for my assignment.

My assignment! Zoinks! I'll keep you all posted, and I'll remember to breathe.

Speaking of Graduating

I'm having a little graduation party at my parents' house on June 13. If you know where they live, you are invited. If you don't know where they live, but you know my phone number, you are invited, too. Come on over around 6:30 or whenever you can. Bring something interesting to skewer, and we'll all make kabobs to throw on the grill.

Thanksgiving Point has graciously agreed to end our evening with a spectacular fireworks show that we can enjoy from the back yard (but they'll tell you it's for the Scottish Festival going on at the same time). It'll be a laid-back and delightful time, so I hope you can make it. Everyone's welcome.

More to come as it gets closer. Or just call me. :)

Never, oh never will she lose her fame / We love her!

As it turns out, dear ol' Dayton High School has my immunization records through 1997, and they are sending them to me. Huzzah!

By the way, if you would like to hear what virtually everyone sounded like during my Texas childhood (I'm talking genuine accents, not the TV kind), you should call my high school after hours and hear the recording. Ah, nostalgia.

All These Things That I've Done, part 4

Also in March, I saw Rufus in concert. If he liked the ladies, I would totally be his girlfriend. I just know it. He could sing to me every day. Actually, I think it's embarrassing when somone sings to just one other person, so we'd have to sing together -- or not look at each other, which misses the whole point. Honestly. Anyway, here we are at the show. Jazz hands! I'm doing Amanda hands.

Before the show, we went to Teague's first birthday party, where I helped myself to the treats.

This kind of behavior -- along with my new affinity for those nasty little donettes out of campus vending machines -- may just be why I wear the only pants that fit me every day. This is what's wrong with America. Oh, but it feels so right.

All These Things That I've Done, part 3

Oh, and I graduated. Well, sort of. I walked, but I won't officially graduate until August, but I wasn't sure where I'd be then, so I walked last week with Delaina, who actually is done with it all. Please notice my fabulous red shoes. That's a shout out to Patti Kay.

I'll be done with all my coursework on June 19, and then I'll get on an airplane for Massachusetts to do the bike tour thing (much more about that later). Here are some other pictures from that day.

I think it's funny how well Quinn was prepared to wait for the 400 other FHSS graduates who walked before us. I do believe that's Arrested Development on his screen.

Also, probably because both Eliza and Mara attended graduation and weird things happen when either one is present (possibly doubling up when they are together), this lady donned her very best for the convocation. Delaina and I spotted her from our seats, but we couldn't really see everything she had going on. I'm really glad Liza grabbed this shot!

Amanda hands, everyone!

Sarah Lewis made us some candy leis. I was so happy about them that my tassel jumped to the wrong side. Whoops. But I guess that's okay since I'm not actually done yet. Hhhhhh.

Peace Corps: Medical

So, I've been getting prodded and poked for the last couple of weeks in an effort to complete the medical requirements for the Peace Corps. Unlike many of my other activities of late, it has not been delightful. I've already had blood drawn, peed in a cup, and had the women's exam (so fun). Next on the list are my eyes. I also need to track down my immunization record, which is proving to be inexplicably difficult. If I could remember what shots I've had and who gave them to me, that would help. More to come.

All These Things That I've Done, part 2

In March, I took Tatum and Amanda to Disney's Princesses on Ice. We got together the week before to make tiaras to wear to the show.


When it was time to model our creations, the girls got the curtain skirts (play skirts Mom made out of old curtains -- quite a hit) and ran barefoot through Mom's back yard. In the snow.
They wore their other princess dresses to the show. I think I enjoyed the show as much (or more) than the littles. Oh, and Alecia and Sara came too. It was totally delightful.

All These Things That I've Done, part 1

So, there's a lot to catch up on! My life is a little more than just getting ready for the Peace Corps, so I'll tell it in pictures. I went to San Francisco in February and saw lots of cool stuff, including this fire-eating crazy man. Please note Barbie's Dream Hummer in the background.

Mostly, I loved reading at the beach!

I had lots of good food and rode lots of public transportation. I talked to a lot of strangers and hung out with my old roommate Susanna a couple of nights. It was delightful.

The Interview: My Recruiter Ate Bugs

I had my interview with my recruiter today and will probably leave for Africa in October or November and speak French. I'll probably work in community health, which means I'll get to do a variety of things including some HIV/AIDS stuff. There will not likely be much access to the Internet -- perhaps on a quarterly basis when I go to the city for training or meetings. I will know more soon.

Also, he said he enjoyed grubs or a grilled cicada while he was serving in Zambia.

Jekyll & Hyde

My interview is tomorrow, and I think I've got all my ducks in a row. I have had conversations with people to help me tease out all my concerns, questions, expectations, and recognitions about joining the Peace Corps. I've kept a Word doc to document everything I'll want to be sure to discuss. I've contemplated what will matter to me and what won't and have recognized a few things I hadn't thought of before. I think I'll be mentally, emotionally, and socially ready to go by Labor Day. I'm totally aware and well-prepared.

Of course, I want this with my whole being (every fiber?), so I get these irrational fears about things that will keep me home. What if I have cancer? What if my skills aren't really of any use to anyone? What if they just don't want me anywhere? Or what if I fall down the stairs and break my cheekbones and need surgery that will take months to recover from?

This is making me crazy. Crazier. Whatever.

Big Wheel Keep On Turning

Proud Mary keep on burning. My recruiter just contacted me for my interview. This is so exciting. He'll meet me down at the Cougar in a couple of weeks, and after that, I can find out where I'll be going. Yeah!

I'm still waiting on the transcript updates and one more letter of recommendation, but I can see online that it has been started. I'm just sure I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, but I'm so okay with that. Weird for me.

And we're rollin' (rollin') rollin' (rollin') rollin' on the ri-vah.

Steps Along the Path

I've sent in my fingerprints, the NAC file, and my student loan statement. As soon as my transcripts are updated, I'll send those along as well. The next step is the interview with the recruiter followed by nomination for service somewhere, and we'll be off and running.

In other news, I have moved into the sewing room at Mom and Dad's house and have started winter classes. I have 15 credit hours, and I will feel every bit of it. Man, there's a lot to read! I've talked to my advisor down at the Coug, and I am on track to be done with all my classes at the end of June and graduate officially in August. It's all coming together, and I am pleased. Insert triumphant theme music here.