exciting news!

So I finally found out where I am going. (I say 'finally', but when I think back on this whole process, I realize that it has only been 5 months since I applied. But it sure did feel a lot longer!) I accepted an invitation to Kazakhstan today, and I will be leaving August 18. I am pretty excited. Even though this is completely different from my original nomination, I am still stoked. All I know about Kazakhstan is what I have read by googling, and also from some info from PC. They eat horse meat. And its really cold. So, it should be interesting.

I should be at camp for about another month, and then I'll leave for staging in August. And I will be learning Russian. So, I plan on going to Borders and buying a Russian for Dummies CD. Crazy.

I can't believe it's here. It feels so very close, but so far away. Lots of packing and such to do before then.

Things I will miss:

(aside from the obvious...family and friends!)

Mexican food (I was thinking about this today as I was eating lunch. I am guessing there is a huge lack of Mexican style dishes in Kazakhstan.)

Driving at night. With my windows down. Really, driving in general. (PC Volunteers arent allowed to drive while serving. Yikes.)

Big diet cokes from Sonic.

Thats all I got for now. I am sure I will be adding to this list as it gets closer. Okay, I need to work on my aspiration statement (gag) so I can get it to the country desk.

I had an e-mail from Peace Corps this morning, saying that my application status had been updated. So, I excitedly go on the website, and login. It just said that there is a hold on my application, but it also says that is normal...that every application is on hold while under medical review. What! Just tell me when I am leaving, that really is all I want to know. Thanks. So, really no updates on that front, I guess the application has just moved from the pile to someones hands. Yay for that.

In additional news, I got hit on at the Brookshire Brothers in Bellville last night. Woo-hoo.

waiting

I am 2 finals, 1 presentation (due tomorrow) and 1 paper away from being done with my MSW. Which of course makes me super excited.

But I find myself quite frustrated because I am ready for the next thing. For Peace Corps, to know where I am going, to work at camp, for all these things that are coming up. It's weird because I'm thinking back to the Summer after I graduated college, and I find myself in the exact same place. I am waiting on the next thing, which makes me lose sight of what I am doing right now. Being content with where I am at is something that's hard for me...and I think it's hard for most people. We are a society of people that wants more stuff, bigger cars, more technical gadgets. So, I want to try and be happy with now. Be happy with my presentation due tomorrow. Be in the moment. Instead of waiting on the next thing.

'but all passes -- there is even a kind of solace in that.'

-w. berry

This is what happens when Jacey and I want to be rebellious and look bad a. We dye our hair!

So this is where I plan on updating everyone when my life gets crazy in the next 6 months. This is what I know so far...Asia, September 2008, serving in the Peace Corps. And that's all I know. yes, 'Asia' is vague. Welcome to my life.