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.

Finds Traction

And I have effectively turned my life upside-down. I have put in notice at the bank, registered for a full load, told Sarah I'm moving out, and have made a bedroom plan at Mom and Dad's. I will move my PC availability date to August. I'll officially graduate in August but will walk in April with Delaina in case I'm gone by then. Okay then.

I'm even thinking of ditching my fancy car in favor of a piece of hud for getting from the sewing room to the Coug. It's on.