This is how I feel at work everyday...

Dental Approved!

So I called the Peace Corps headquarters in D.C. in order to be my, "own best advocate" and spoke to one of the head screening nurses the other day. She told me that my dental paperwork had been reviewed and approved! So, I got that going for me...which is nice. She also informed me that Peace Corps is really swamped with medical packets right now, and they don't even start reviewing your medical paperwork until about 4 months before your departure. That kinda sucks, but its all part of the process. So we'll see what happens. When I first started the application process in February, I would talk to returned volunteers and read things that described how lengthy the application process is. I never understood what all the fuss was about (being I had completed the online application in a day), but now I definitely understand. It reminds me of the Army a little...(Hurry up and wait). By the way, for any of you applicants reading this, I want to recommend a book for those thinking of joining the Peace Corps, or those waiting to leave. It is called, "The Insider's Guide to the Peace Corps: What to know before you go", and the author is a RPCV (returned peace corps volunteer) named Dillon Banjeree. He just wrote a 2nd edition that was published in April 2009. I found the book to be very helpful and informative as far as what to expect during the application process, as well as what you may encounter while serving.

So that's about it for now. Oh yeah, I have decided to take a couple month motorcycle trip out East starting at the beginning of August. My plan is to get out to NYC as soon as possible to see a friend, and then cruise around and see old Army buddies and family in Wisconsin, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, and anywhere else friendly faces may be. I'm not really sure what my plan is after that, but I'm sure it will all work out...it always does.

How it started...

Hello Everyone! I decided to start getting some practice blogging with the hopes that I will soon rely on it for communication with friends and family. I am a recent graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Marketing (Go Rams!!!). I graduated in May 2009, and am currently awaiting approval of my Peace Corps application. I turned in my medical packet about a month ago, and am having a hard time waiting to hear back from Uncle Sam. I have been nominated for an Agricultural Business position in Asia leaving sometime in January. I am very excited about this nomination, but am trying not to get my heart set on it because I have heard stories of people getting completely different assignments and/or regions at the last minute.
I just remembered the title of this post, so here's how it started...
After serving 4 years in the Army (2000-2004), I toyed with the idea of joining the Peace Corps. After looking into it lightly, I decided to pursue higher education and get a degree instead. During my Senior year, I obtained an internship with Hewlett Packard in Fort Collins. The excitement of being part of such a reputable corporation soon faded after seeing behind the curtain, and I found myself wanting something different. With graduation around the corner, and the economy in a slump, my friends and I always joked about, "there's always the Peace Corps". Out of curiosity one day, I decided to look into it again (this time more in depth). I sat at the computer for probably 5 hours and poured over every link and resource on the official site. I was so taken and inspired by what Peace Corps volunteers were doing around the globe, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. It was one of those moments when something just clicks, and you think, "This is what I'm supposed to do." So, I started and finished the online application the same day, and have now mailed off my medical packet awaiting a response.
So, that's how it started, and I'll let you know when anything changes.