Thursday, August 14, 2008

Inches

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

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

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.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

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).

Friday, August 1, 2008

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.