Yesterday, after blogging about my questionnaire, I started to really sort through everything.
I realized that no matter what any one suggests for any of this Peace Corps stuff, that this is my thing. I am the one applying, I am the one going.
Now, I am settling calmly in to the next stage of this 'great wait'. I'm sure that RAS will return shortly, but I am going to do my best to maintain this PMA for as long as possible.
Emma,
ReplyDeleteI just had my final interview yesterday with my Placement Officer. After waiting--waiting, waiting, waiting--for two months from the time I was medically cleared and sent in my updated resume, my Placement Officer called and we had the interview. Though nothing has been updated on my toolkit, she said that I am now "being officially considered for Peace Corps teaching positions" and it's just a matter of finding a country to satisfy my medical clearance.
I don't know what you mean when you write "RAS" and "PMA"; however, I like what you said about this being "your thing." I realized this too. This is also "my thing." In my impatience I seek out all these blogs to see what other people are doing and where they are at in the process and if they know anything that I don't. What I've found is that we are all doing our own "things." (In spite of this awareness, here I am, reading your blog trying to find out what you know that I don't. It's funny.)
I liked that. Good luck to you.
Bailey
Bailey-
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your interview!!!!!!! That is great! I can't wait to find out where they will want you to go.
'RAS' (Restless Applicant Syndrome) and 'PMA' (Positive Mental Attitude) are terms that I've picked up from other bloggers. I also, have been seeking out the consolation of other blogs.
Bailey-
ReplyDeleteHow was the final interview? Are there any questions that you felt like you wish you had more time to think about and answer?
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteFollow your heart and always stay the positive person that you are! :-)
Steph
Hello Emma,
ReplyDeleteThe interview went well. "Questions I wish I had more time to think about the answer..." I don't know about you, but I don't know exactly what it is I want out of the Peace Corps. I mean I want the experience, and I want to learn another language, and I want to feel what it is like to be in a different culture; but when I think about what I really want from the Peace Corps--which was a question she asked--I didn't know what to say. What does one say? I mean really, I don't think I will know what to expect or what I want(ed) until after, perhaps years after, the whole thing is done.
When thinking about what country I want to go to, I think, "I don't know. I don't know the difference between Romania and Kenya and Honduras and China." I mean of course they're different. Of course they have different cultures and languages and values. But what do I know to expect?
I guess my point is that I conceive of the whole thing as this mystical journey. (I think I actually said something like that, as an answer to her question.) And I wish I had a better answer. That sounds kind of stupid: "I don't really know what I want from the Peace Corps. I guess I expect some crazy journey."
That may or may not have answered your question.
Hi, Bailey.
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely answered my question, plus some. I must say, too, that it's nice to hear that it's ok to admit that this will be a crazy journey and I'm not sure what to expect of anything really.