Hueco Tanks

I’ve been gone from Brevard for about a month now. I spent about a week back at Adventure Links, where Iwas working and reconnecting with friends. Then I flew out to El Paso, Texas  to climb Hueco Tanks, a world-renowned bouldering site, and visit my good friend Amanda. One might call us crazy for climbing in the middle of the desert….in the middle of the summer…. But I’ll just call it hardcore! Although it was over 100 degrees every day, we were able to climb in the shade, and a breeze tended to blow just when we needed it most. It was a wonderful trip shared with wonderful people. Here are a few pictures from my awesome time in Hueco Tanks. . . . . . 

 

View of the amazing Hueco Tanks from the house we stayed at

Part of North Mountain

This was one of my favorite climbs, Fox Den Arête

Martini Roof Traverse

Martini Roof Traverse again… great fun

Sunset over New Mexico, seen from our patio

Hanging out with blue toes at White Sands, New Mexico on a rest day

Sometimes all you need is a hula hoop….

Me and my wonderful friend, Miss Amanda

Embracing the Texas culture….with style

The crew. Watching the sunset on a windy evening

 

Current plans: Live in Brevard for the next few months, teaching yoga, working at the health food store, outdoor store, helping out with friends’ farms & gardens, studying French, climbing, playing outside, and loving life. I’m still scheduled to begin my Peace Corps service at the end of November…. still over four months away. In the time before I leave, I’m hoping to visit and spend time with as many friends as possible. Of course, all are welcome to come visit in Brevard!!! 

I’m going to Guinea!

I called the Peace Corps today and accepted the invitation! Woohoo! I’m moving to Guinea!!!!

My Assignment

I applied for Peace Corps about a year ago… In October, I was nominated to be a volunteer. I received medical clearance in January, and have been waiting for an invitation since then. And FINALLY, as I was driving home this afternoon, I saw that huge white envelope precariously balanced on the top of my mailbox….  My Peace Corps invitation.

 

So here’s the official news: I’ve been invited to The Republic of Guinea for a program in Agriculture and Forestry.  Should I decide to accept the invitation, I’ll leave for staging on November 30. Now I have 10 days to decide whether to accept or decline. I’m not ready to make any phone calls just yet–I need a little time to let it sink in–but I’m feeling pretty confident and excited!

Waiting on an invitation….

Well, I finally have some more news from Peace Corps… I found out a few weeks ago that there are no programs in Environmental Education that I qualify for until March 2010. Clearly, that’s a little longer than I was hoping to wait… so, they started looking into other types of programs that I qualify for. When I talked to them on the phone today, I found out that I was being considered for a youth development program leaving in July, an agriculture extension project leaving in October or November, or the Environmental Ed program leaving in March 2010. I decided to decline the youth development program, and accepted the agriculture possibility. It seemed so quick and easy–all she said was, “well, great… you can expect an invitation in a week or two”. So now, I’ll just wait. In one or two weeks, I should get an invitation in the mail. The invitation will tell me what country I’m invited to, the date of my departure, and what exactly I’ll be doing there (the agriculture extension program is different in each country). I’m still going somewhere in Africa, but there is a long list of countries that I might get invited to. Once I get all this information, I have ten days to decide whether or not to accept the offer. Yikes! 

 

Everything’s going well around here. Still working at the health food store, an outdoor store downtown, and teaching yoga. I just got back from a quick climbing trip to Alabama. I met up with my roommate Elizabeth, and friend Kristen at Horse Pens 40, an absolutely amazing bouldering spot just North of Birmingham. Wish I could have stayed longer. It was amazing! Here are a few quick pictures–

 

Elizabeth and Kristen checking out their battered climbing hands

An awesome little problem on the Turtle Rock boulder

Same problem, angle #2

Hanging out up top with Elizabeth

One of my favorite problems that I really want to go back and finish–The Wasp

Peace Corps update….

For a couple of months now, April 23 has been my deadline to get more information from Peace Corps…. and (after calling) I finally received an email from my placement officer today…. Unfortunately, it didn’t tell me much. As I suspected, I’m no longer being considered for the June departure that I was originally nominated for. I’m now  in the running for an early July departure, and they will update me “soon” on that. (Of course, I have learned that “soon” doesn’t necessarily mean anything in particular). So, back to waiting…. Still completely unsure of what I’m doing this summer, or even a few weeks from now. 

 

In the meantime, I’m taking it day by day, having fun… and soaking up the awesome Western NC springtime weather. Wish I had more info for all of you. I’ll be sure to keep this updated as I hear more.

Brevard

Well, life is good in Brevard. In a way, this spring is a time of waiting… But I’m doing my best not to look at it that way. I really love being here, and I’m surrounded by a lot of great friends. For those of you wondering about the status of my Peace Corps application, well…. There’s not much I can tell you. I did hear back from my placement officer, and my file has not yet been reviewed within the placement office. It sounds like I’m still in the running for a June departure to Africa, but I might not find out for sure until as late as April 23. After hearing this, I made a decision to stop waiting around for an invitation; instead, I’m going to go about my business as best I can… and not worry about it! (one of those easier-said-than-done situations)… I’m currently teaching yoga and will be starting  a couple of other part-time jobs in town soon. Some other fun projects that I have going on right now include: studying French (in preparation for Francophone Africa), learning to bake an assortment of things, cooking new and interesting dishes, sewing, learning to knit, reading lots of books (any recommendations welcome), getting back into climbing shape, trail running, fixing up my abandoned mountain bike, and learning how to properly enjoy, appreciate, and make use of leisure time. 

 

I must admit, living in a house, having my own kitchen, and sleeping in the same bed every night is a rather enjoyable luxury… And after many months of moving around, it really is great to be in one place for a while. 

 

Staying warm and cozy inside while the weather outside turned from rain to sleet to snow

 

I love being in the mountains… I took all of these pictures peeking out my front door….

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s climbing night at a rock gym in Asheville… It was the “Boulderers’ Ball” (hence the pink skirt and tiara)

 

 

Climbing The Nose of Looking Glass with my friend Robin… or attempting to. I’d say we made a good attempt considering it was freezing outside with a bitter wind… The picture might not show it, but we were both ice cold and had no feeling in our hands or feet at this point. I’m amazed that we were even able to snap a photo with our icy fingers!