The Farewell Tour Continues...

I haven't written many posts because there's not a lot new to report. Every few days someone will ask "Have they confirmed where you're going?" and sadly, the answer is always "No." I guess I could post progress each day: "Checked my application status on line. No progress." Scintillating prose.

I figure I'll be patient until June 1 and then give my recruiter in Atlanta a call to see if she can get someone to dust off my app. If they don't get moving soon, I'm concerned that there won't be time to get me medically cleared ( a notoriously long process) to meet the nomination date/sites of early September/Pacific Islands. It feels as if it's been Christmas Eve for months. I'm ready for the anticipation to be over.

So, in the meantime, I enjoyed another road trip. This time, to Tampa, to enjoy a picnic with friends Nan and Pat. We hadn't gotten together for a really long time, plus it was Pat's birthday, so it was a great day. Nan and I both love to cook and try new recipes, so when we picnic there are no hot dogs involved. For the birthday celebration there was a chilled peanut Thai noodle salad, fruit salad and homemade carrot cake, complete with birthday candle.

The view was spectacular, the weather breezy but comfortably cool and the conversation excellent. Lots of reminiscing about the work we did together as well as lots of talk about the futures all of us are planning. Bonus, they're the only people I've found so far who are willing to try Zoom Air with me. http://www.zoomair.us/ Pat had foot surgery the day after our picnic, so she won't be able to give it a try for awhile, but we'll make it happen.

The next stop on the tour is Detroit. I'm hoping that I'm there the weekend they have summer.

The Farewell Tour Begins!

Some might say that a farewell tour is a tad premature, given that the Peace Corps still hasn't told me exactly where or when I'm going. But hey, any excuse for hitting the road. The "tour" is my way of enjoying places and people special to me as I get ready to move on to a new chapter.

I didn't have to go far for the first stop on my "tour". I just drove down I-4 to Winter Park where my friend Kim Cameron was performing with her band. She actually was on a real tour and luckily for me was performing at a couple of Orlando venues. I love her music and meeting the band was great. Next time, guys - pool party at my house! Am I too old to be a groupie? Can I get a backstage pass? AARP discount?

Kim and I worked as contractors together in the corporate world. Now we're both living our dreams. She's writing music, performing, touring and doing interviews and photo shoots. I'm doing deep knee bends to prepare for a squatty potty. Clearly, Kim is the brighter woman.

It was great to see you, Kim, and I'll be listening to your music, wherever I am. Check out Kim and the band. Talented people, doing what they love. http://sidefxband.net/

Next stop on the farewell tour was Tucson, Arizona. We moved to Tucson when I was five and it was the family home until my dad died in 1995. In my heart, it will always be home, no matter where I live.

The week was filled with friends, cousins and Mexican food. Not just any Mexican food, mind you, but Tucson Mexican food. My soul food.

Years ago, friends in Michigan and I debated over which kind of stuffing/dressing was the best for Thanksgiving. It didn't take us long to figure out that what was best was what you grew up with. It has nothing to do with the recipe or the quality of the cook. It's all about the comfort and memories.

Same deal with Mexican food, for me. Sure, I love a good Oaxacan mole, but give me a cheese crisp (with chiles, please), a cheese enchilada and a green corn tamale and I'm transported to a special place. It gets even better...all over Tucson are drive-thru mom and pop joints that are open 24 hours. And don't even get me started on the taco trucks.

Yes, I ate Mexican food for every meal except one. For a week. Richard Simmons just called. He's concerned.

Tucson itself is beautiful. The mountains that surround the city are constantly changing with the clouds and light. It was spring, so the desert was in bloom. Not the in-your-face kind of spring that I experienced living in Michigan. Michigan spring is like a herd of hookers on a Saturday night. Hard to miss with all that spandex and bling. Spring in the desert is more like Audrey Hepburn. Understated. Stunning but not flashy.

The best part of this stop on the "tour" was the people. Aletha and David rearranged their schedules so we could spend as much time as possible together. They also generously had 3 beautiful children so that I could visit them in 2010 and be reminded that I'm older than dirt. How can the "babies" now be so grown-up and successful?

By the way, with all the great Mexican restaurants in Tucson, the best enchiladas are the ones that David makes. Green or red? Can't decide - must have both!

John drove all the way from Albuquerque, through a horrible sand storm that caused the closing of the freeway. I'm glad he made it because it was great to spend time together. He also has created the perfect Margarita recipe. Really, perfect. I think it's the agave syrup. Or the touch of fresh orange juice.

Candy, Christy, Markie and Terre - thanks for trekking from Yuma and Prescott! Spending time at Casa Molina, talking about all the great times we had together as kids was fantastic. Nice that the Munkies are still such a close, happy family. Bummer that we weren't able to fit in the egg salad sandwiches, canasta and a stroll to Sabino Canyon. Thanks for lunch, Mark, and for getting up before the sun to make the drive!

Christy, thank you so much for bringing the photos, letters and telegrams. Wonderful family memories that I'll treasure. There's a certain irony in reading the telegrams from my dad that he was on his way back from the war in the Pacific, when I'm heading out to the same area, on a more peaceful mission.

The first sound I heard when I parked the rental car at the hotel was the doves. A sound my mom loved. She'd sit on the patio for hours, listening to the doves. So, it was a tiny bit ironic that when I was getting settled in the car to head back to the airport, I realized that I had a new hood ornament. A dove, sitting squarely in the center of the hood, staring at me. She didn't move when I turned on the engine. Didn't move when I backed up. Stayed firmly in place as I drove through the parking lot, flapping a bit, to keep her position. Staring the entire time. I finally stopped the car and she flew off as I got out of the car.

Nice that the dove made me think about my mom as I was leaving town. I know that the people we love are always with us. But sometimes a reminder helps. Which is why I now have ten pounds of green corn tamales stashed in my freezer.

Happy Feet!

I'm doing a happy dance here on my couch this morning. I just checked the Peace Corps Wiki and another destination for volunteers has been posted for early September. Drum roll, please...Vanuatu!

I've been nominated to go to the Pacific in early September and was concerned when Palau was the only Pacific destination listed. Beautiful place, but the PC has a requirement there that volunteers live with a host family for their entire 27 month stay. Vanuatu is also lovely and volunteers may have their own homes.

My current status is still "no progress". Because I'm not nominated to leave for months, they haven't begun my medical clearance yet. And placement clearance can't begin until medical clearance happens.

I keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue and realizing that I'm just not all that virtuous.

Today, though, I'm dreamin' of Vanuatu!

Progress!

I'm very excited to report that just 10 days after sending in my stack of medical and dental paperwork, I got news today from the Peace Corps. Seems Dr. Rogers and his stellar staff did an excellent job on the paperwork because I've received dental clearance. Shockingly fast, since it typically takes over a month after the paperwork is received.

The next steps in the process are to have the medical review completed, as well as finalizing the legal review. Then, a placement officer will review my resume and make a final determination on where I'll be assigned. I'll be consulted on that and then a formal invitation will be sent, letting me know which country and my departure date.

Other exciting news this week is that I went to my friend's Ralph and Mary Lou's for dinner Monday night. We had pizza delivered. The big deal was that they had closed on their beautiful new home in Mt. Dora just hours earlier. A certain irony that just about the time they'll be moving to Florida, I'll be heading out to the PC.

My fingers (and toes) are crossed that things continue to move quickly. In the meantime, I'm working and enjoying the perfect Florida weather.

Good News, Bad News

I was doing a bit of research this evening on the Peace Corps Wiki. The good news is that there's a group leaving September 1st for Micronesia/Palau. That would match my nomination to be sent to the South Pacific in early September.

I would have been thrilled because everything I've read and heard about those islands describes them as simply amazing. Beautiful. Unspoiled. Close to Guam, so I could visit my friend Margaret's family.

The bad news? One of the requirements of accepting an assignment in Micronesia/Palau is that you live with a host family not just for the first few months (which is a requirement in every country) but for the entire 27 months.

I live alone. I work alone. I have some hermit-like tendencies. I think I can tough out the physical challenges of not having all the luxuries I'm used to. Okay, I have some doubts about that, but I plan to be like the Little Engine Who Could. Chugging along, telling myself "I think I can, I think I can....I know I can, I know I can!" Along with the occasional moments of "Not only I can't, but I don't wanna, either!" Ok, I can do it, but I don't guarantee I can do it without a little whining.

I figure I can cope with almost anything if, at the end of the day, I can hole up in a quiet (perhaps buggy), private (perhaps steamy), solitary (perhaps with no running water) retreat. A place where I can whine to myself or just read and recharge my batteries. For a few months, no problem. The initial home stay is a way to become part of the community and get to know a new "family". I'm looking forward to that. But 27 months? Not sure I can do it.

In any case, I may be worrying about nothing. According to my recruiter there's a 50/50 chance that my assignment will change. One thing I'm sure of is that it's going to be quite the experience. I can't wait.

Just a few more needles!

I'm very excited to report that after two visits to the dentist this week and a trip to the Department of Health, I'll be submitting my final paperwork. I can't say I'm looking forward to more needles, but it will be worth it, in the end.

Today involved six needles at the dentist, since the first batch didn't numb everything. Or, because Dr. Rogers has a mean streak. Perhaps I shouldn't joke about the guy that's going to be sticking more needles in my mouth. Hopefully, later in the week will be better.

Wednesday means a visit to the Health Department to get a MMR booster, better known as Measles, Mumps and Rubella. The PC requires two boosters, but the nurse at the Health Department said that because of my age, I only need one. I know I've had measles and mumps. Seems it was common in the '50s for kids to get them. So, when I submit my paperwork, I'll clarify whether or not I need two. I don't care about the needles as much as I do the $115 fee, per shot.

BTW, who knew that the Health Department seems to be the only place to get the MMR boosters. My doctor referred me there and so I called a pediatrician (thanks for the referral, Margaret!) thinking I just needed to talk to someone used to dealing with younger patients, but nope, just got another referral to the Health Department.

Luckily I'm working at home this week so can adjust my hours to accommodate the visits.

I'm hopeful that once I submit the final paperwork, I'll get the formal invitation, which gives me the date of departure and my destination country within 4-6 weeks.

I still have the occasional moments of "what the heck am I doing", but overall am absolutely committed. Or should be committed. In any case, I can't wait to get the show on the road.

Take care, everyone. I hope you're doing well in navigating your own river.

Bedside manner

I'm happy to report that I'm 2/3 of the way through the legal, medical and dental clearance process. Someone in Washington D.C. is reviewing my legal/security issues. That should be easy. I've never been arrested, changed my name or worked for the CIA.

I met with my doctor this morning to get the results of all the tests. I tried not to take it personally when she acted a teeny bit surprised at how healthy I am. I take no medications and all test results were terrific. A final question on the Peace Corps survey was if there were any limitations to what I could do/where I could go as a volunteer. The only thing I could think of is that I'm not as speedy as I once was when it comes to getting up and down from sitting on the floor. Bungee jumping probably wouldn't be the best thing for my joints, but I seriously doubt if that's an activity that would be required as a volunteer.

With medical and legal completed on my end, I just need to get the dental stuff taken care of. I have two more appointments to go, to get my crowns and gums in great shape. Hopefully, I'll have the last appointment when I'm back in Lake Mary at the end of March and all paperwork will be on its way to Washington. Hopefully, the doctors and dentists there will review everything and find it in order. My file will then go to be considered for final placement. That's when I'll get the formal invitation that tells me the exact date I'll be leaving and the country. I won't know the specific destination until I've gone through 2 months of in-country training.

While waiting for my PC invitation, I'm having fun working with a company in San Francisco. After three days on-site in San Francisco, I told my client it felt like climbing up the first big hill on a roller coaster. New, exciting and a little scary. Hoping that there are tracks on the downside of the hill. I love San Francisco, the people and company are terrific and I'm learning some cool new technology. All good things.

I hope you're also enjoying good health, great people and exciting adventures.