I've never been one for spending money, but I'm starting to understand how people become addicted to this thing! After having spent the majority of my life going without some of the things people consider "cannot live withouts" (i.e., professional haircuts, nice clothes, expensive make-up, etc.), I have now become an American consumer - like for real. Because I am headed to a place with a colder climate than here in South Carolina, I have had to purchase some big money items...or so they seem to me and my meager wages. I have so far purchased the following: a quality sleeping bag, solar panel charger, hiking backpack, hiking boots, base camp flats, luggage, outdoorsy waterproof coat, North Face and Columbia skirts, and a couple pairs of pants (and maybe some other things that I can't even remember). Thank God for tax returns! At first the purchases were painful and gave me a feeling of nausea. HOWEVER, as the packages began to arrive, I realized how awesome it is to have new, fun stuff. How have I gone all this time without buying so much stuff? I spent 58 years in college and somehow never fell into The North Face Denali Jacket trap/craze. I was so proud of myself for that. Now, though, I realize how people can become addicted to buying and having new, out-of-the-package-smelling things. With that said, I am happy that I will be able to spend the next couple of years recuperating from this buying binge!
On another note, I got an update on my Application Status and now I have dental, medical, legal, and placement clearance!!! Looks like everything is in place for May 31!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
50 years of Peace Corps seems to have made the world a little smaller
Happy 50th Birthday, Peace Corps! I am so proud to be a part of this organization, and it's exciting to join in its 50th year with over 200,000 volunteers preceding me.
I had a very interesting day yesterday as the world seemed to get a little smaller as often happens when I meet different people from around the world. Yesterday, though, was different. I met a few people through friends of mine - friends from little bitty old Clemson - who have served in Lesotho! My friend Julie (who is currently serving in Namibia) knows someone who served in Lesotho, and she was kind enough to email me offering to answer any questions. My good friend Jayson (who is currently serving as a PC-Response Volunteer in Colombia) met a couple people at his current site over the past few weeks who also just finished up their service in Lesotho. So now I have quite a network of RPCVs to answer questions and offer advice. I am so blessed to have these friends and these connections.
As the deadlines for my passport application, dental clearance, aspiration statement (seriously ANOTHER one??), and many other things approaches, I am getting more and more excited about this new chapter of my life. I have decided that research is great and all, but I need to pull myself away from Internet searches about Lesotho to spend time with actual humans who I enjoy and love!! Time is more precious than ever to me.
On this 50th anniversary of PC, I hope we all take a moment to appreciate previous generations of Peace Corps Volunteers. Through their dedication, compassion, humility, and open-mindedness, the work of current PCVs is undoubtedly richer than it would be had they not blazed the trail. Thank you for giving Peace Corps a good reputation throughout the world!
I had a very interesting day yesterday as the world seemed to get a little smaller as often happens when I meet different people from around the world. Yesterday, though, was different. I met a few people through friends of mine - friends from little bitty old Clemson - who have served in Lesotho! My friend Julie (who is currently serving in Namibia) knows someone who served in Lesotho, and she was kind enough to email me offering to answer any questions. My good friend Jayson (who is currently serving as a PC-Response Volunteer in Colombia) met a couple people at his current site over the past few weeks who also just finished up their service in Lesotho. So now I have quite a network of RPCVs to answer questions and offer advice. I am so blessed to have these friends and these connections.
As the deadlines for my passport application, dental clearance, aspiration statement (seriously ANOTHER one??), and many other things approaches, I am getting more and more excited about this new chapter of my life. I have decided that research is great and all, but I need to pull myself away from Internet searches about Lesotho to spend time with actual humans who I enjoy and love!! Time is more precious than ever to me.
On this 50th anniversary of PC, I hope we all take a moment to appreciate previous generations of Peace Corps Volunteers. Through their dedication, compassion, humility, and open-mindedness, the work of current PCVs is undoubtedly richer than it would be had they not blazed the trail. Thank you for giving Peace Corps a good reputation throughout the world!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)