My journey thus so far...
Bonjour mes amis!
My journey into the Peace Corps began on Dec.13, 2004, with the completion of an application which I had begun to fill in my junior year the UofA in 1997. Unsure of my personal strength to follow through versus a strong curiosity, I held on to the thought of completing it until this past year. On Dec.13, 2004, I had already made my New Years resolution to throw caution to the wind and let my heart guide my way through the application process and see what would happen, never actually believing what would come of it.
And just like that, what I had delayed 7 years in doing, was done; with a click of my mouse I had completed my application! I remember telling myself that it wasn't likely that I would be accepted, but if I didn't give it a try, I would only have regrets. So, I nonchalantly inquired with a few close friends to write me letters of recommendation. Had it not been for their willingness to (possibly) "BS" some nice things about me... my journey would have ended there. Shannon, Nikki, and Paul - Thank you so much!
My interview came with a big surprise. I had emailed my recruiter many times, probably even annoying him so much that he had to interview me! On 2/2/05 I was a wreck! My sister Tanya performed her magic interview voo-doo on my style and gave me the confidence to get through it (and a kick-ass suit to wear too). Of course, I drove John crazy with my stress level as he hauled ass to get to ASU on time. :) LOL JJ
Darren (my recruiter) was so nice. Looking back, my favorite question he asked, was if I was a vegitarian. I laughed and said, "are you kidding me, I grew up on a farm in Western Kansas". Yeah, I didn't give the best answers, but I got a smile out of him, and a nomination too! We had discussed areas I would like to serve in, and I told him that for the past 7 years I had been hoping to one day volunteer in Africa, and speak fluent French. That next day, my nomination was received at headquarters. That's when I knew that what I was doing, was no longer a curiosity, it was really going to happen!
Before I knew it, my health and dental paperwork began to arrive in the mail, and the long road to clearance began. I had a lot of bumps in the road with my clearance and a whirlwind of emotions. I know for fact, that had it not been for all the trouble I went through, that it would have been too easy for me to back out of the whole thing. After all that work, there's no way in hell I could turn back now. I remember going to my physical and finding out that I had to have a mammogram. I was so scared! I blew my diet (big shocker there!) and got chinese take out and made it to work after a few missed turns for not paying attention and vented to Shannon, Tammy, and Brian. I was freaking out. I got my sisters and my parents stressed out too. Fortunately, after my appointment (which my awesome mother went with me to) I was given a clear bill of health. Phew.... then it was all about my wisdom teeth. Yup, I had to get all four yanked.
I am typing this entry with sore gums right now, so that should tell you the outcome of that adventure! My medical clearance was complete! After day in and day out of my co-workers asking me, "Do you know where you are going yet?", I could finally answer..... "No! But I will find out soon!" Ha ha ha...
Well, on 05/29/05, I got a phone call while I was in Denver, that my invitation packet had arrived to my home in Phoenix! DAMN IT!!!! I had to wait 2 days to get back and open it up. So my parents and I flew back (studying French with my Dad to pass the time), and met John, Paul, T, Steve, Bella, and Pumba (by phone) at breakfast where I opened my packet revealing...
Burkina Faso was going to be my new home!!!!!!!!!
My departure date to staging is 08/01/05. I am currently going through the rollercoaster of emotions. Somewhere between anticipation, excitement, pride, anxiety, freaking out, fear, and soon a potential for drunkeness or a psych ward (just kidding of course)...
I am finding a way to prepare to say my goodbye's.
More posts to come!
A Bientot!
My journey into the Peace Corps began on Dec.13, 2004, with the completion of an application which I had begun to fill in my junior year the UofA in 1997. Unsure of my personal strength to follow through versus a strong curiosity, I held on to the thought of completing it until this past year. On Dec.13, 2004, I had already made my New Years resolution to throw caution to the wind and let my heart guide my way through the application process and see what would happen, never actually believing what would come of it.
And just like that, what I had delayed 7 years in doing, was done; with a click of my mouse I had completed my application! I remember telling myself that it wasn't likely that I would be accepted, but if I didn't give it a try, I would only have regrets. So, I nonchalantly inquired with a few close friends to write me letters of recommendation. Had it not been for their willingness to (possibly) "BS" some nice things about me... my journey would have ended there. Shannon, Nikki, and Paul - Thank you so much!
My interview came with a big surprise. I had emailed my recruiter many times, probably even annoying him so much that he had to interview me! On 2/2/05 I was a wreck! My sister Tanya performed her magic interview voo-doo on my style and gave me the confidence to get through it (and a kick-ass suit to wear too). Of course, I drove John crazy with my stress level as he hauled ass to get to ASU on time. :) LOL JJ
Darren (my recruiter) was so nice. Looking back, my favorite question he asked, was if I was a vegitarian. I laughed and said, "are you kidding me, I grew up on a farm in Western Kansas". Yeah, I didn't give the best answers, but I got a smile out of him, and a nomination too! We had discussed areas I would like to serve in, and I told him that for the past 7 years I had been hoping to one day volunteer in Africa, and speak fluent French. That next day, my nomination was received at headquarters. That's when I knew that what I was doing, was no longer a curiosity, it was really going to happen!
Before I knew it, my health and dental paperwork began to arrive in the mail, and the long road to clearance began. I had a lot of bumps in the road with my clearance and a whirlwind of emotions. I know for fact, that had it not been for all the trouble I went through, that it would have been too easy for me to back out of the whole thing. After all that work, there's no way in hell I could turn back now. I remember going to my physical and finding out that I had to have a mammogram. I was so scared! I blew my diet (big shocker there!) and got chinese take out and made it to work after a few missed turns for not paying attention and vented to Shannon, Tammy, and Brian. I was freaking out. I got my sisters and my parents stressed out too. Fortunately, after my appointment (which my awesome mother went with me to) I was given a clear bill of health. Phew.... then it was all about my wisdom teeth. Yup, I had to get all four yanked.
I am typing this entry with sore gums right now, so that should tell you the outcome of that adventure! My medical clearance was complete! After day in and day out of my co-workers asking me, "Do you know where you are going yet?", I could finally answer..... "No! But I will find out soon!" Ha ha ha...
Well, on 05/29/05, I got a phone call while I was in Denver, that my invitation packet had arrived to my home in Phoenix! DAMN IT!!!! I had to wait 2 days to get back and open it up. So my parents and I flew back (studying French with my Dad to pass the time), and met John, Paul, T, Steve, Bella, and Pumba (by phone) at breakfast where I opened my packet revealing...
Burkina Faso was going to be my new home!!!!!!!!!
My departure date to staging is 08/01/05. I am currently going through the rollercoaster of emotions. Somewhere between anticipation, excitement, pride, anxiety, freaking out, fear, and soon a potential for drunkeness or a psych ward (just kidding of course)...
I am finding a way to prepare to say my goodbye's.
More posts to come!
A Bientot!
posted by Chandra Leigh Paradis | 10:43:00 AM
