Invitation has been accepted, government passport, visas, resume and aspiration statement have been submitted! Now I guess I'll start trying to learn some Twi (one of the languages in Ghana; one of the two I'll be learning).
It's starting to sink in; I'm actually going to be living in Africa for 27 months...super exciting, super scary...I got a lot of crap to do before I can leave. It's been over a year since I decided to join the Peace Corps; it always seemed like some far off dream/exciting prospect. Now, I find moments where it hits me and almost takes my breath away: Dude, it's for real! It's not some idea or desire, it's actually gonna happen. Damn, I hope I'm good at it; I hope there's not a ton of spiders...at least not ones that jump; I wonder how many times I'll get malaria, you know how the mosquitos love me...maybe I won't be lazy anymore...I wonder if I can get my hair to dread...I haven't rode a bicycle in a long time...I hope they have decent beer...I can't wait to wear the crazy colored cloth...I'm gonna miss cheese.
Anyway, time is flying by. the number of lists I've made have increased exponentially: things to buy, things to sell, paperwork to do, people to visit, music to download...
Many people have asked why I want to join the Peace Corps; yes, I want to help people, yes, I want to live in a different country, yes, I want to be shocked into some kind of awakened state. But as a summary, below is a part of my aspiration statement that should sum it up pretty nicely:
E. After the Peace Corps, I hope to have a better understanding of myself and a better idea of where I should invest my energies. I have always had a dual personality: one part of me is very driven, loves challenges, and wants to succeed in a career, the other part of me wants to send positivity out into the world, live simple, and just know that I have done some good at the end of the day. I’m hoping that the experiences I have, the people I meet, and the skills I learn in the Peace Corps can help me bring these two sides of myself together.
I think this experience will give me the confidence to take the next step in my life whether it is a new career field or a life of service or travel. The final outcome of my Peace Corps experience is indefinite at this point, but I am excited to start this adventure and I know it will have a positive influence in my life and what I project into the world.
Thanks for listening to the rambelings.
j
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Dear blogger-
ReplyDeleteHey, my name is Katherine Kovac and I am currently a Peace Corps Applicant blogging through Peace Corps Journals. I have greatly enjoyed the connections I have made through this site, and find it to be a essential source of information for anyone considering the Peace Corps in the future. I am currently a senior studying English at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and for my senior Capstone Project, we are required to put together an ethnography, or a study of a culture or community. Because of my history with the Peace Corps Journals site and its bloggers, I decided to study this community of people who have come together, and the effects that these blogs have upon the bloggers, their readers, and the Peace Corps experience.
In light of this, I wanted to ask a few bloggers whose sites I have found intriguing to personally participate in my project. Basically, all this would mean is that I would feature aspects of your blog in my project, and perhaps send you a few interview questions, just to get your opinion on the community. No names will be included in my project, and ages, locations, etc. will be withheld, as well.
I greatly appreciate your consideration, and I have greatly enjoyed reading your blog. The Peace Corps Journals community has had an effect upon me, as I’m sure it has upon you, and this is something I would like to study on a larger scale. If you are interested, please email me at the address listed below.
I thank you again,
Katherine Kovac
kakovacis@gmail.com
Jeanna, we miss you already! It was wonderful working with you and I wish you all the luck life can bring. I look forward to vicariously living through you via blog over the next 27 months. I am praying for your safe return. I am so sorry about your grandmother. May the Lord bless your family even during these hard times.
ReplyDeleteTake Care
Thanks Jasmine!!! Miss you guys too.
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