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.

Busy, Busy, Busy

The Peace Corps is serious about making sure volunteers are in good health before being sent off to a third world country. To prove it, in true government style, they sent a large package of forms to be filled out by my doctor, dentist and optometrist.

This week I started the process of getting poked and prodded. It's only Wednesday and so far this week I've been to the doctor twice, the lab twice and the dentist once. I still have four more appointments with the doctor, dentist, lab and optometrist.

The good news: I have a new doctor and she was fabulous and tossed in a free TB test and Tetanus booster. Normally I prefer gifts of flowers and chocolates but what the heck.

Also, met a nice guy from Colombia at the lab. He told me about a beautiful beach town called Santa Marta in Colombia. I Googled it and now have a new destination I want to visit.

Another plus was that I was able to get in to see the dentist so quickly.

The bad news: I'll be back at the dentist's office tomorrow for a few hours. Handing him almost $4,000 will likely be the most painful part of the visit. Who knew that you could outlive your crowns? I keep telling myself that it's better to get everything taken care of now, by a dentist I know, rather than by a dentist in a third world country.

Once I send all the completed paperwork to Washington, doctors and dentists there will review everything and decide if they want more information/tests. Fingers crossed that my contributions of blood and money to the local medical community are almost over.

On another front...I was notified this morning that my application is on hold for legal reasons. Made me nervous until I read the fine print, which explained that it just means that they're reviewing my file to make sure I have no legal issues, such as student loans, divorce/separation, dependents, etc. Phew. Nice to know that my file isn't buried in a dusty cabinet and that it's actively being reviewed.

If all goes well, I'll be medically, dentally and legally cleared by the time I get back from Vietnam in March. The next step, then is further review of placement options. That could mean confirmation of the September departure to the South Pacific, or placement in a different job somewhere else in the world. Who wants to visit me in a yurt?

I'm joining the Peace Corps because it's an adventure and challenge to give up control and trust that wherever the PC sends me will be exactly the right place.

Rocks or Bridges?

There are rock people and there are bridge people. Bridge people take the paved road across the river. They can see the other side and the route is direct and safe. The bridge gets them where they want to go.

Rock people prefer the adventure of jumping from rock to rock, hoping they're close enough together and not too slippery. Rock people are willing to trust that there will be rocks all the way across the river, even though they aren't visible. They're willing to get wet if they miss a rock. They're willing to risk getting swept away. The payoff is the thrill of the crossing. The confidence that comes with making it across the hard way. The unexpected view. The bond formed with other rock people.

Based on their reactions to my announcement that I applied to the Peace Corps, my friends think I'm a rock person. I've always seen myself as a bridge person.

I'm joining the Peace Corps because I want to be a rock person. I have faith there are rocks in my river and while I may get soaking wet, I won't drown. If my dad was still here, he'd say I had rocks in my head. But he'd really be proud. He taught me to be a rock person.

Stuff!

I love George Carlin. I saw him live at the Fox in Detroit once and was sore the next day from laughing so hard. I really relate to the bit he did on "stuff". Here it is on YouTube. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8896213084482448693#

Contemplating leaving the country for 27 months raises a number of issues about my stuff. Actually, most people ask what I'm going to do with my stuff before they ask why I applied to the Peace Corps. I admire people who can just sell or give away all their stuff and take off to the Peace Corps with only a backpack. My stuff may not be great, but it's all mine and I'm way too attached to it to let it go.

So to answer the question I've been asked most often - No, I'm not selling or renting out my house or car. I may have a house sitter part of the time I'm gone, but mostly it will be used as a vacation spot by friends from up north and closely watched over by neighbors and friends.

I'm joining the Peace Corps because I need a reminder that most people are very happy without a lot of stuff. And, because there might be some cool new stuff where I'm going that I can bring back for the memories.