What?!? The waiting game is finally over and I've been officially invited to serve in the Peace Corps.....
My assignment: Environmental Educator in Nicaragua.
My departure date: August 30, 2011.
My service dates: November 21, 2011 - November 22, 2013.
I know I've been waiting for this information to reach me for what seems like forever, but now that it has I'm freaking out just a little bit. I think I'm just so overwhelmed because it's all just happening so fast now.
For almost a year now the only information I had was my nomination for Africa in July, well the time to be notified for that came and went without any word. Then I receive emails about budgets being cut and departure dates being pushed back as far as January 2012. At this point, I'm starting to lose my patience, and wonder what I'm suppose to do while I wait. Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long. I get a call from a PC Placement Officer, who starts asking me what I've been doing for the past year, how I've been preparing for the PC, and if I'm still interested. Of course, I respond "Yes, can you tell me where and when?" In which I get a unofficial invitation which is a very general and broad description of my placement region, assignment and departure. He also tells me that the official invitation will be sent out right away. I've grown accustomed to the waiting game, so I leave for my vacation in New Orleans without much thought or worry. I figured it would be best for me to have the official invitation and description before spreading the word to family and friends - because even though I've gotten used to the waiting game, many of them haven't.
I return from New Orleans to find a massive packet of papers from the Peace Corps. I eagerly open it to find where I'll be spending the next 27 months of my life and am excited to see Nicaragua. (I'm hoping to improve my rusty Spanish skills). As I continue reading a wave of emotions comes over me and I get a little shocked by my departure date (August is coming up rather quickly) and then just seeing 2013 in writing got me.
I've been telling friends and family the good news and it seems that they're excited, almost more excited than me. Don't get me wrong I'm excited, but also a bit overwhelmed because I'm looking at all the paperwork and preparation that I really need to get done. Normally, I'm all for a good countdown to a vacation or event, but I think I may have to hold off on a countdown, at least until I can check off some items on my massively long to-do list. Speaking of which, I should probably get back to some of that paperwork....
