Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More March 5, 2010

Hello all! I have come to the recent decision to withdraw from the PC blogging community for a bit…I believe that constant speculation about invitations has only made me more anxious and obsessive. Before I began my blog, PC was always on the back of my mind, but was not a major concern; now, however, I find myself an anxious ball of energy wondering when I will hear from my PO again. While I have loved and appreciated communicating with people in my same position, I do not like that it has begun to consume my life. I have some exciting trips and visits with friends in family on the horizon as well as a new volunteer position in Special Education classes here in town to enjoy. I am excited for all of these events in my life, and want to be there in the moment, not obsessing over PC while partaking in them…Thus, I say goodbye for now. My next blog (if there is to be one) will be to excitedly inform y’all of my invitation…Hasta luego mi amigos!

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own,
And sometimes we visit your country and live in your home,
sometimes we ride on your horses, sometimes we walk alone,
sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own.

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world,
the heart has it’s beaches, it’s homeland and thoughts of it’s own.
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin’ brings,
But the heart has it’s seasons, it’s evenin’s and songs of it’s own. (Grateful Dead, “Eyes of the World”)

Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright… March 2, 2010

So, over the past week I have definitely been battling RAS hardcore, and now feel the need to write another post simply to feel proactive about something in my life–haha! No new news to share regarding my status with PC, simply wanted to share my current thoughts and feelings a  bit…

I am beginning to realize that I have never wanted anything in my life so bad as I want to serve in PC…I suppose that this might be a positive side effect of the “patience” and “flexibility” prescribed by PC during this period of time. I find myself restless with anxious energy as I await an invitation from PC, and have now become nearly obsessed with reading blogs, joining discussions and watching videos about PC…Not going to lie, I feel somewhat sorry for all of my family and friends at the moment because they are also bearing this incessant burden of worry and helplessness that I am feeling. Bless them all, they are all so supportive and encouraging daily. My mother, especially, has been a great encourager and resource to share all that I am learning through my insomniac nights spent on my computer reading, watching and learning about the PCV experience. She was actually the one who convinced me to start my blog when I did by constantly talking about and showing me the blogs that she had been following–I am forever a realist and scared to jump before being somewhat certain about the outcome, but I am glad for the push…

Now, despite the fact that I am not getting near as much sleep as I was prior to this blogging phase, I can say with absolute certainty that Peace Corps is my dream and the path that I am meant to follow at this point in my life. I simply have to grow comfortable with my restlessness for a bit longer, and this dream will be met…So, here’s to waiting out the invitation to my future–what an experience it all shall be!

And…A little quote from Herman Hesse to help me along the way: “Everything is necessary, everything needs only my agreement, my assent, my loving understanding; then all is well with me and nothing can harm me.” (Herman Hesse, Siddhartha)

The First Song February 21, 2010

Hello, and welcome to my journey as a Peace Corps applicant. I am glad to have you along on the journey, and hope to provide insight and a bit of entertainment along the way…

A Bit of Background:

I submitted my initial application to Peace Corps about a year ago, and received my nomination a few weeks later. I am excited to say that I have been nominated for the Central/South America region in Special Education. This nomination thrills me for two reasons: 1) I have a background in Spanish, and thus have a faster learning curve in speaking the language. 2) While I lack a degree in education, I am passionate about serving/working with people of varying abilities and have worked in several Therapeutic Recreation programs throughout my brief life. I think that working with such a program will be both incredibly rewarding and interesting, and cannot wait to find out if I end up in the position that I was nominated for.

Current Events and Thoughts:

I just found out (after several government snow days–craziness!) that my file is up-to-date and on track for placement processing. So, my excitement has finally culminated to a point where I felt it necessary to begin my official blog as I hope to receive my placement sometime in the next few months (fingers crossed).  It has been a long process, and I must admit that I am quite excited to have made it into the final stage of placement. I am excited to learn where I will be spending the next two years of my life, and look forward to writing about this discovery and beyond over the next several months.

Throughout this process (as well as life in general) I have always found great comfort, strength, and inspiration through music. Thus, you can glimpse my musical likes and influences through the writing throughout my blog. I was recently listening to an Assembly of Dust Song, and felt it to be very appropriate to my past year’s experience and current dealings with Peace Corps. As such, I thought I’d sign off of this post with the chorus and closing lines of the song. Enjoy!

“I don’t know where I’m going, but I’ll get there/ Sometimes I’m wondering where will it be?/ This is a song about lifestyles/ Decisions that we make/ Roads that we abandon/ And others that we take”