Peace Corps, take 2… or 3 ….

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. Life has been crazy, as it always is, since I last wrote. In early October, I took a trip to Topsail island to spend some time with family. Before leaving, I had heard about violence in Guinea (the West African country I had been invited to by Peace Corps). On October 8, Peace Corps announced that all volunteers in Guinea had been evacuated. From there, it was a frustrating string of phone calls (mostly me leaving voicemail messages) and six weeks or so of wondering whether I would still be going to Guinea…. or into the Peace Corps at all. A few weeks ago, they finally announced that Peace Corps is officially suspended in Guinea. This meant that I would be offered a new placement. At that point, I was fairly sure that I wouldn’t accept it… that I would just move on and do something on my own, outside of Peace Corps. . . .

It has been over a year and a half since I first applied to Peace Corps. After applying, writing essays, getting references, being interviewed, I was nominated in October 2008. Then I went through the rigorous medical and dental screenings. And then my dental screening expired…. so I did it again. I have spent countless hours deliberating, worrying, dreaming, and wondering…. and countless more hours trying NOT to do all those things.  I had come to a place of being ok with letting go of the idea of Peace Corps… or so I thought.

But then they called me a few days ago and offered me a position in North Africa. My heart skipped a beat (or two). A million thoughts raced through my mind at once. But my heart was louder than my mind. I knew immediately that I would say yes. Yesterday I received an invitation via email to serve in Morocco. The program leaves March 1, 2010. I’ll be working in Community Based Environmental Education. I have a feeling of assuredness that I never had when I was invited to Guinea. I realize that by accepting this offer, I’m making a leap into a world of challenges far beyond my current comprehension.  I have a lot of fears. I know that being a female in a Muslim country will be an intense challenge, a humbling experience. I fear that my French is too basic and that learning Arabic or Berber will come too slowly, or be too difficult for me. I’m afraid of what I’ll miss while I’m gone. The friends, family, loved ones that I’m leaving behind. But this time around, although I have all those fears, I feel ready. I’m prepared to take a deep breath, accept that I have all of those fears, and dive in with an open mind and an open heart. I’m ready to be HERE for the nex three months. And then I’ll be ready to be THERE. So we’ll see what happens. I am really experiencing those lessons in patience and flexibility that PC and all of my friends in PC have told me about… And I have learned that I cannot become too attached to any plans. But it’s ok to be excited, right?? woohoo!

Thanks for checking in!
I also want to send out a huge THANK YOU to all of my family and friends. I am amazed by how unconditionally supportive everyone has been. I have incredible people in my life, and I feel so lucky and grateful. Thanks to Mom and Dad for backing me up, no matter how wild and crazy my plans get sometimes. Thanks Erin for being the best sister in the world. Thanks to my family for a wonderful Thanksgiving. My friends, both nearby, thousands of miles away, and all in between… I can feel your support and I hope all of you know that I’m always there for you, too! I love you guys! Without you all, I’d be a mess for sure.

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.