Invitation!

I have officially accepted an invitation to MADAGASCAR departing February 11, 2014! After 401 days of thinking, talking, and dreaming, and a whole lot of waiting with little indication of where, when, or what I would be doing, I finally know! I finally have something concrete to plan on and research. I could not be happier!

I received my invitation on Friday while I was tailgating at the Dave Matthews Band concert. I cried, hugged, and cheered with my friends and random neighbors. Since then, I've read through the Madagascar welcome book, volunteer handbook, core expectations, safety and security handbook, and the volunteer assignment description to name a few. I also researched the country extensively. The more I read, the more I thought that this was an absolute perfect placement for me! The country has many aspects that I hoped for (but didn't admit because I was geographically flexible) and the assignment seems like it will utilize my skills well. The volunteer assignment description did make me nervous as I was reading it, but I believe it was purposefully written in a way that made me think twice about accepting. However, I have now made a commitment to the assignment, country, the Peace Corps, and myself.

After I accepted my invitation, I received four different emails with tons of information about my next steps. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, and I keep reminding myself that I have several months to complete many of the tasks. This reminds me of the episode of How I Met Your Mother where Marshall and Lily think they're pregnant. They make a list of everything they need to do to prepare for the baby, and then do it all in one night while rushing and panicking. If you haven't seen the episode, you should just watch the entire series, great show.

Anyway, a big thank you to my family and friends who have supported me thus far (and put up with me talking about Peace Corps non stop)! This is only the beginning of an exhilarating adventure ahead, and I can't wait to move forward. Here's to Madagascar!

Final Suitability Interview

I had my final interview today with my placement officer! She actually called Friday afternoon and I missed it by 3 minutes (!) but was at work and couldn't have the interview anyway. We scheduled the interview for Monday at 12:15pm which meant I had to wait all weekend! I have never been so excited for a Monday and even created a countdown on my phone.

So today during my lunch break, I was parked on a random street eating a sandwich when my placement officer called me. The duration of the call was whole 7 minutes from pick up to hang up. She only asked me a few questions such as 'Has your motivation to join the Peace Corps changed since you first applied?' 'Has the level of support from family and friends changed?' and 'Are you comfortable living with a host family for part of or all of your service?' And that was it! She then told me I was invited to serve in Sub-Saharan Africa in health extension, departing mid-February! I am ecstatic, this is exactly the type of invitation I was hoping for!! The placement officer told me a formal invitation would be emailed to me at the end of this week or early next week. I'm thinking, 'Can't you send it now? You already know where I'm going!'

So now, I get to wait a few more days until actually finding out where I'll be serving. I think I've checked my email at least 50 times since noon. According to Peace Corps wiki, and a wonderful Google spread sheet found here, I'm guessing it's going to be Ghana, Madagascar, or Malawi. I would be thrilled with any country! The next few days will be long until I receive my invitation and I hope I get it before the 4th!