Two months and counting!

So I got the last set of lab results I needed to complete my SECOND medical packet. I photocopied it all and it amounts to a small book. It's sealed in the FedEx envelope and ready to be sent to DC tomorrow. So now we just wait for re-clearance and the staging packet. 

In the meantime, I'm separating my life into 4 piles:

1. Haven't worn/used in a year. Won't need for PC or after. This is all getting donated/going in a yard sale

2. Need for PC, but also need before I leave. This goes on the packing list and then back where it was.

3. Need for PC, but don't need before June 4th. This goes in the spare room in the pile near my duffle bag for real packing later. 

4. Don't need for PC, maybe need/would like while I'm still home, and will want when I'm back. Maybe like some jeans and shirts, incase I destroy all my clothes in the next 2 years, and things like momentos, photos etc. These either stay where they are or get packed in a box in my closet so my room is more or less clean and useable while I'm not here.

PC is great for purging and figuring out what you really need and what is excess. I've found a lot of excess so far. 

Later, once I've done my final pack, I'll post on here my packing list so future PC/Peru volunteers will have a reference.. lord knows other people's packing lists, personal experiences and opinions have really helped me prepare for this journey!

Hasta Luego...

More paperwork...

If I could describe my Peace Corps experience thus far in 2 words they would be 'waiting' and 'paperwork'. That's what I've done so far. after months of waiting for the invite, it finally came in the mail and surprise surprise... theres a bunch of paperwork to be completed.. in 2 weeks time.

So first I got started updating my Resume and adding the things they wanted. Then I did the Aspiration Statement, which is pretty much restating everything you've already told 3 or 4 different PC staff during the process. This is because they don't forward you application to the country you will be serving in, so these two documents are the way that PC/Peru staff will know anything about me. I got that done in about a week. (yay for my student having computer shop and therefore I have about 2 hrs everyday with not much to do and a computer in front of me!)

Then I got started on the no-fee passport application. I almost filled out the wrong form thinking I didn't need my passport between now and June, completely forgetting that we're going to Mexico for spring break and I will indeed need my passport. I got my passport photos done (after debating if i should just do them myself or spend the $8 to get them done at CVS). I decided on CVS since it was easier and I was getting down to the wire. To my surprise, for $8 you get not just 2, but SIX photos. Perfect! since I was going to scan and copy them to get the 3rd I needed for my visa application. Today I'm going to the County Store to get my forms signed/authorized and then mailing that sucker.

I've filled out all the other paperwork they sent that I will need for staging, made copies, and filed it all. So now, its back to word one: wait. Wait for my staging packet to come in late April/early May so that I can complete more PAPERWORK! gahhh.

On another note, the Peace Corps never prepares you for all the questions you will be asked.. before you even report for staging. And its the same questions all the time. I know people are well intentioned when they ask me questions about Peru and about PC, but there are just some that are just ridiculous. I know that just as I will be an ambassador of the US while in Peru, that here I am more or less an ambassador of the PC and that most people aren't familiar with the organization. Part of my frustration is with the questions, and part is with myself-- that I should be more patient and that this is part of furthering the 3rd goal of the Peace Corps. I just try to smile, give a short and sweet answer and be happy that I am lucky to finally be in the position I am.

I guess I shoulda posted this first... oops!

I sent this email out Thursday Feb 19 just hours after finding out that I received my nomination. I have since then gotten my invite in the mail with more details (see previous post)

______________________________

So, as you all probably know, about 2 years ago I applied to the Peace Corps. About 23 months ago I was accepted and nominated to a Special Ed program in Spanish speaking Caribbean that left in Feb 2008. In October of 2007, I found out I was deferred for medical reasons and would have to re-submit some info in May/June of 2008. I did this and in July found out they had approved everything and I was being nominated to a Special Ed program in Latin America (as the Caribbean one no-longer existed) that would be leaving in June 2009. I was very excited and was just waiting for fall to come for the Invitation period to open for that program. Around Thanksgiving I emailed my Placement officer to introduce myself (it was a different person than the one that nominated me) and see what the status was.. if I could at least know when I might hear something more. Fast forward to January, when I get an email that says there was a programmatic change and now they are requiring that you have a degree in Special Ed (I had previously been accepted because I have a degree and many years working with the population) and that she would have to work to get special permission for me to participate or that we would have to find another program. 

Sooo, today after the kids were all on the buses and I was waiting until we were allowed to leave, my phone rang. I saw it said Peace Corps I knew it was either going to be good news or bad news. After holding my breath and listening for what seemed like forever, she finally said that they approved my placement and that she was issuing me an INVITATION! Not only that, they were creating a third position just for me where I would be doing a majority of my work with Special Education and then also working with other programs. It was all I could do to not scream and reach through the phone and hug this lady to death. Turns out, she also had a long waiting time between being accepted and finally getting her invitation. BUT I, Sara Rhymer, in my awesomeness, have broken the office record and took 16 months from the time i was initially nominated until I got my invitation. Yes, I am that great... haha. 

So, long story short-- what I know: Latin America- June 2009, Special Ed (kinda). I will be getting my official invitation in the mail by next Friday and that will have more information- a job description along with a tentative date and country. She mentioned something about June 6th, but at that point I was so excited I barely heard what she was saying. This has been a long 2 year journey.. its funny that I will have spent as much if not more time in the application process as I will actually serving. Thank you everyone for supporting me in the ups and downs, even if you didn't always understand my motivations or why I was hanging on so long. This is something that means a lot to me and I'm excited to share it with you all!

Love, 
Sara

The Invite!

I got my official invite in the mail on Monday and called to accpet it today. I'll be headed to Peru to work with Youth Development as a Special Education Trainer. I report to staging June 4th and head to Lima on the 6th. After a nearly 2 year wait since application, I am elated to finally have my assignment and have it all official. I'm ready for this next adventure in my life, but sad to be saying goodbye to the wonderful people I've worked with over the past 2 years and know it will be rough saying goodbye to my student.  BUT, that's partially why there's this blog.. to keep in touch with everyone- friends, family, and coworkers. You've all supported me in various stages of the long process and I'd like to repay you by keeping you up to date with what's going on in my life as a Peace Corps volunteer. And then I can also be kept up to date with what's going on stateside!