Medical cleared!

Well, I got a call today from the Peace Corps informing me that I am
finally medically cleared with no restrictions!! It felt great to know
I finally provided all the info needed to move on to the placement
stage of the process. From what I understand, over the next few weeks,
the placement office will review my (& other applicants) files to
determine who will be selected for placement and receive an
invitation. So at this point, I have done all I can, and am waiting to
either receive an invitation packet (stating my country and departure
date), or a phone call telling me I did not get this invitation, and
then probably get pushed back another 6 months or so. Obviously, I
hope to receive a packet within the next month so I can start
preparing for wherever I may go! Time will tell!

Phillip Rich

Fit As A Fiddle

Regression Confession

Well, let's just get this over with right at the beginning...

After an amazing trip, I am now back at home living in a camper trailer... outside my Sister's house...with my Mom. (fyi my Mom will be referred to as "my roommate" from here on out) Oh yes, and I do not have a job, girlfriend, or social life whatsoever. So, as you can imagine, my self-esteem has bottomed out like a used Ford Taurus on a motocross track. So, leave your comments of pity and ridicule, and I'll be sure to let you know which one pushes me over the edge!

Peace Corps update:

I have been tying up loose ends with some missing medical tests, and should get all the results back tomorrow. Can't wait to fax them back to the PC, and hopefully get a letter of invitation soon. Crossing my fingers from here on out...

Well, I better go...my roommate needs the computer. ;-)

KC to CO!

So I left Kansas City on Tuesday, and rode back to Colorado. I spent a couple days in Denver visiting friends, and just made it to my parents house today in Taylor Park (pictured above). It feels so great to be back in the mountains. I can't even really explain it, but there is just something that makes me feel at home in the mountains. It was great to see so much of the U.S., but Colorado will always be home. I'm planning on staying here a few days, then heading back to Montrose to see the rest of the family. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do now.....it feels really weird to be pretty much finished with the trip after being on the road for a month and a half. I received the packet of missing items that the Peace Corps still needs, and will be working over the next few weeks to get everything completed and sent back so I can finally receive an invitation and find out which country I'm headed to. Other than that, not really sure what I'll be up to. I think I will try to find a job back home to make some money while hanging out with the family.

All in all, it was an amazing trip. It was so great to see such good friends after so long, and I saw alot of wonderful country. Thanks to everyone who let me crash on couches and floors, eat their food, drink their beer, and did their best to move their schedules around to accomodate such a worthless individual. From now on, this blog will only be updated with progress concerning the Peace Corps. The adventure is in the journey, not the destination.

Peace

St. Louis

Dave and Erika

Nashville to St. Louis

So, I left Nashville a couple days ago after spending time with my
buddy Neal (awesome photo below). Now, I'm in St. Louis visiting my
friend Dave, and his girl (picture to be posted next). Emily got to
meet me here for the weekend, and it was SO great to see her! I'll be
here for a few more days, then on to Kansas City.
Peace Corps update:
I received some paperwork informing me about things that are missing
from my med packet. I will work to get this stuff completed over the
next month, and should be good to go.
Later...

Rockefeller Center

View of the Empire State Building from the top of the Rock.