Officially a Peace Corps Volunteer :)

Leaving Bafia and the family I have built there was surprisingly difficult.  The impact that my family had on my life has changed me forever.  I mean I have only know these people for three months, but the fact that they opened their doors to a complete stranger, aided in all aspects of this foreign life and provided emotional support makes me grateful to know that there are genuinely good people in the world.  They will forever have a place in my heart and I wish them true happiness and health in the years to come.  Plus, I am going to miss coming home every day to my host brothers running down the muddied path to greet me with hugs and salutations or waking up to Cameroonian music blasting throughout the house.  I mean who wouldn’t miss getting tackled by four little brothers and or getting shocked out of sleep by another language blaring at 6am.  All in all, my stay in Bafia had to come to an end and it was time to begin the next chapter in my life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon.  That’s right J I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer… no longer a trainee!

So Poola, here we are.  Just you and me this time.  Making the journey here was swift and easy, unlike what I envisioned of traveling with two years’ worth of stuff on Cameroonian public transportation would be like.   I have this theory that everything always tends to work out and therefore there is no point to stress, but like any normal human being, I stressed.  Of course I stressed… I mean my language is far from where it needs to be and I have still no idea what the hell I am doing here, and I think neither does my counterpart at the moment but as will the seeds that I plant, my understanding will grow too.  It’s been an interesting ride so far.  Having my own place and the independence that I soooo need in my life has refreshed me in this experience.  I am excited and anxious to get things started… my first step is making my home, my home.  I was fortunate to take over a post, which the PCV before me left furniture with all the amenities I would need to live.  But as you know, nesting is one of my favorite things and I can’t wait to let my creativity flow.    I will post photos when I get the chance… I bet you are all waiting anxiously to see.  In due time… you too will experience ma vie en Afrique. 

Anyways, next week is Christmas and then New Years.  Can it really be 2012… wow.  It’s crazy to think that I will be here for 2 more years.  Never worry family and friends… I won’t be alone for Christmas.  We are planning a little Christmas fete in Bafut, which is in the Northwest region and when I say we…I mean 9 of my closest friends in country and I.  We have the menu set and let me tell you… it is really going to feel like Christmas, especially with Ashleigh and Betsy cooking!!  All of the amazing people I have met here have become like family to me and knowing that we will be together to celebrate makes being away from loved ones back home not so unbearable.    

If you are planning on sending anything family and friends… here is my new address. 

Katelyn Witz

Volontaire Corps de la Paix

B.P. 15 Nkongsamba

Cameroun, Africa

Par Avion

I love you all and miss you dearly.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…

Finally... a post :)

Wow it’s been so long since I have had a chance to update anything.  My apologies family and friends, I have been so busy with stage that I haven’t had an opportunity to write.  First things first, I am happy, healthy and loving life.  It’s been over a month now since I have arrived in Cameroon and time is flying by extremely fast.  I find out my post next week and then site visit the week after.  So crazy J I am beyond excited to find out where I will be living for the next two years. 

I haven’t really been missing the amenities of home, which makes adapting to this new life style allot easier.  I am used to bucket showers and no flush toilets however I have to get water from the well and I have gotten some pretty bad infections in some of my bug bites.  Sounds gross and it is. I now bleach my water before bathing.  There are way too many parasites and bacteria in the water not to.  If you want to send me anything…. Send me liquid band aids and heavy duty band aids.  Here the moisture in the air makes them fall off too easily so my infections have been taking over two weeks to heal.  Only one other bump in the road so far, I got a spider bite that must have been poisonous because I get really sick for a few days… couldn’t really move my neck and had a fever of 102… thankfully it went away and I am all better. 

On to the fun stuff… I got to go on a field trip last weekend to the west.  It was sooooo much fun and made me so excited to be an Agroforestry volunteer.  We arrived in the west on Friday and got to see contour barriers, nurseries, grafting, marcotting, transplanting, alleycropping, gas dryers, food preservation, organic composting and a watershed.  It was all AMAZING!! I have never been so excited about nature and vegetation propagation in my life… to be honest I had no idea what any of it was before I came to Cameroon.  My tech sessions are so informative and rewarding…. I only wish I had a background in Chemistry so I can understand all the craziness that goes on with soil fertility etc. but I am picking it up quickly.  After arriving in Feutap, we went straight to the APADERwhere we were given a tour of the grounds, which are absolutely stunning.   We got to walk through a swampy jungle which was not my favorite part, as I nearly fell face first into the mud.  Not my finest moment.  When we first entered the jungle a huge black snake fell on top of our tech trainers head… pretty crazy experience. 

Après, we checked into our hotel and went out to grab dinner.  All of us girls and a SED volunteer went to the night market, where we got braised fish from a street vendor.  Seriously the most amazing fish I have ever had… and yes you eat with your hands.  The next day however was my favorite. We got to a small village, Bandrefam and meet with volunteers who were working with a group of ladies to create tofu and soymilk which they would sell as an income generating activity.  Unfortunately, it poured like crazy and since there were no paved roads, the trip home was one that I will never forget… nor will any of my other stagemates.  We had to drive two cars to take all 22 of us to the city… the van carrying half of my stagemates tipped over from the mud. Nobody got hurt thankfully, and Therese (our program assistant) paid some local boys to push the van out of the mud a few times ;)  I will post photos when I get a chance.  I really wish you could see how beautiful it is here. 

Some of the most amazing and rewarding experiences I have had so far in Cameroon were on my fieldtrip last weekend.  I am so thankful for all the amazing people on this trip who are dedicating 2 years of their lives to do development work.  It is a hard sacrifice to be away from loved ones but we are all in it together and I have built some wonderful bonds already..  I won’t be able to post for a while since I will be in the Northwest this weekend and following week at post.  I hope you all are doing well.  I think about you all often.  Please send me love… a card or letter would make my day.  It lets me know you are thinking of me too.  I will try to write when I get a chance. 

Katelyn Witz, Peace Corps Volunteer

Corps de la paix

B.P. 215 Yaoundé Cameroon

P.s. thank you Alley for my letter… I love you dearly. 

First post in Africa :)

When in Africa, do as the Africans do. Well this is my first official blog entry in Africa... and boy where do I begin. 

I guess I will rewind it a bit.... and begin with staging.  I left Sacramento around 8:25am (9/20) en route to Philly... the plane ride was long, longer than I expected since my excitement was at an all time high.  In a new city, with new friends... we set to explore for the little time we had.  The first night was really nice, we had pizza and beer.  My birthday, which was the next day was amazing!!!! My new friends and I went out to dinner at the hardrock where they sang happy birthday to me :) A great treat!!.  It was so wonderful to be surrounded by people who could understand your reasons for joining the PC.  My fellow peace corps trainees are some of the most talented, unqiue and wonderful people I have ever met.

(9/22-9/23) are a blurr of airport, to airport, to check-in, to security clearances, to check-ins, to busses... to more travel......... We were greeted by the PC staff and our welcoming PCVs, Mary and Carlos upon landing.  Time seemed to fly by really fast during the first few days... as we had something planned for pretty much ever hour of our days.  Felt similar to college orientation or that of international study abroad programs... we began our malaria medicine and did a ton of socializing!  I even lost my voice!!! Mary and Carlos were amazing!! They truly are aspirations for each of us.  They both have only been here a year and are already pretty fluent in francais!  Pretty awesome to see what the progress will be for our future (hopefully) :)  During our stay in Yaounde, we got to go to a live television show and eat dinner at our country directors house with the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon... pretty freaking cool!

After our stay in Yaounde we were carted off to Bafia... our new home for the next 3 months.  This is where I met my family :)  I have the pleasure of living with the Jean St. Paul family who have four sons and one daughter.  Ma mere est tres gentil et belle.  She has been so accommodating!!  It's a surreal feeling living with a family in another country.  All my brothers and my sister sleep in one room... I feel a bit like I am intruding but they are so patient with my francais.  My route to school is AMAZING! I get to walk through the jungle :)  It's about a 8-10 minute walk from my home.  The first few days my mom and brothers walked me to and from school... but know I feel comfortable walking on my own.  Yesterday, my sister took me to the market to buy pagne (fabric) for a dress I am having made... I cannot wait :). Yesterday,  I took my first moto taxi... it was a crazy experience!!! Don't worry mom and dad... Peace Corps Volunteers MUST always wear helmets.   Thats all for now.

Well off to practice my francais!!

Love you all and think about you all everyday :)

Here we go...

I cannot believe that tomorrow is the day.  I leave at 8:25am to Philly to begin my journey.  Wow, the past 72 hours have been a crazy.  I had a dinner with my best friends on Saturday evening, which was amazing!! I seriously love my friends... they are so supportive and optimistic.  I do not know how I would have gotten through this leaving bit.  It was surreal to see my best friends boy's Dylan and Logan.  Dyl is 21/2 while Logy is 8 months.  I kept looking at them thinking wow you will be so big when I see you next time.  I was trying to savor every memory and every hug.  Wishing the night would never end.... finally said my goodbyes and wished them well.  I expect great things from them all in the next 2 years... Rachael will have her masters when I am back and working on her PhD.  Heather will be finished with her Nursing bachelors and working on her Masters.... Marissa will be having a little baby girl (We all secretly hope :))... Taylor will be some big stylist who is living up the city life... Mallory will own her own place, working towards her degree probably successfully running some type of marketing business.  Thankfully I was able to spend time with my girl Tarris during the week... she makes me smile with her crazy dreams of my life... lol.  I love each and everyone of my friends and I am so thankful for them in my life.  What would have made the evening perfect, having Lyndsay and Stefanie there.  Lyndsay of course living the dream in Seattle (my future home ;)) and Stefanie... serving our country currently in Florida.

Then Sunday had a dinner with my extended family. What an amazing treat that was.  We went to bucca di beppo... my favorite since Stefy used to bring home the apple walnut salad.  It was amazing to see all 24 of them in one place (thats only a small portion of my extended family).  Toasts and cards, followed by great food and hugs made the evening perfect.   Now this was the hardest part of preparations.  I know I will miss them dearly but knowing that my beautiful cousin Jennifers wedding is next weekend and I have to miss it makes me leaving even more surreal.  Just in case I do not get a chance to say it on her wedding day... let me say it now " Jennifer and Jayson... congratulations.  You two deserve nothing but happiness and I am so excited to have Jayson as a cousin now ;)... may the celebration of your union never end.  You two are made for on another.  I love you both".

Now to this evening... my last day here in California.  I enjoyed it with one of my best friends and sister-in-law Christy.  She is one of the most amazing person I know.  I am so thankful to call her family.  We went an got pedicures, grocery shopped, listened to our favorite song "rio" lol, layed out with sangria and ate some delicous fried chicken :) It was an amazing day... and now I am about to enjoy a beautiful meal prepared by her.  My brother is very lucky as are we.

Tomorrow embarks the beginning of my dreams... I have always wanted to do something like the Peace Corps and never believe it could happen to me.  Well.... it's happening :)  Thank you friends and family for your constant support.  I love you all and cannot wait to share my experiences with you.

I am ready

I am ready, ready to take on this crazy dream of mine.

All preparations are finished.  Purchases done.  Work... Adios.  25 days and counting.  I remember counting the months but now it's days.   All the hard work, the R.A.S. and stress that goes into the application process, finally feels like the clouds are opening up and the sun is shining through.  Thankfully I have had a pretty easy time with this whole Peace Corps process.  My family has accepted my decision as well as my friends and I was blessed to be SUPER busy during most of it with school.

So on to the packing... I had two super fun trips to Walmart and Target getting all the necessary items needed for an adventure as living in Africa will be.  How do you pack for the unknown? Well my answer.... BE VERY ORGANIZED.  I tend to ALWAYS overpack so this time I created a excel spread sheet of everything I need.  When I mean need, I mean can get by with.  I think I need more than I actually do which is why I am being strict with myself.

Staging information came this past week, which really made it real!  I leave on September 20th to Philly, and staging is on the 21st... which you all know is my BIRTHDAY! Woo hoo... I am so looking forward to meeting all my new friends (Some I have already made... Thank you Facebook!!!!).  It's going to be a crazy 72 hours.  Emotions of leaving loved ones, meeting new friends, three flights... probably 24 hours of travel, lack of sleep and a time change.  I GOT THIS :)  I am such an optimistic person that all of that jumble sounds like fun to me.   Thank god I don't get bad anxiety... I just am picturing my best friend Rach ;)

Looking forward to these next 25 days.... Get to see Lyndsay this weekend, then going to L.A. to visit family, then tequila tasting party ;), sister getting her masters, dad flying in from G.A. and finally my going away party.  Heyyyyyy.... looks like I am going to be a busy girl.

Until next time.

Best,

Katie xo

 

Au Revoir Juillet

Where is the time going?  It is the end of July!!!! Changes have been made to my departure date... I am no longer leaving September 15th but now September 21st... That's right ladies and gentlemen, my 23rd birthday.  What an excellent birthday present!!  

With departure approaching swiftly, preparations are being made.  I have been blessed with such an amazing family to assist in the purchases necessary.  I honestly am pretty much finished with buying the big items just focusing on clothing.  What to bring to Africa that will last, look nice, not sweat to much in, and wont stain with Cameroonian mud? I know clothing isn't something to stress about but I find myself stumped on a few necessary items.   Off to shop.  Au revoir. 

All the best, 

Katie

June already?

Where has the past 6 months gone?  Seems like a blur of excitement... I have started a new job, made new friends, got an awesome internship, received an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps, ended my awesome internship, graduated college... I mean this is really turning out to be one of the best years of my life.

I cannot believe it is already June.  Yesterday, June Cameroon invitees left for staging.  I cannot help but feel like I am going to blink and it will be September.  I will be saying goodbye to family and friends...  I will cherish this summer with them.  27 months isn't that long, but it is long enough to change your life as you know it.  I am extremely happy and content with life at the moment and know that it will only get more challenging but also more rewarding in the future.  

Since I have around 100+ days until my departure date, I thought I would start sharing my packing list thus far:

These are gifts from my AMAZING family for graduation.  

Solar Charger-

Goalzero Guide10

www.goalzero.com

Solar charger that will charge my phone, camera, batteries, nook etc.  

**Thanks mom and dad :)

E-reader-

Nookcolor
www.nook.com

Electronic reader that will provide me endless hours of enjoyment.  I will be able to read books, get internet (depending on connection), and use apps.

**Thanks Aunt Bev and Uncle Mike :)

Headlamp-

Black Diamond

www.rei.com

Head lamp designed to throw light a maximum distance of 40m.  Batteries up to 250 hours of use on low, 50 hours on high.

**Thanks Jenn and Jayson :)

Watch

Timex -ironman

www.timex.com

150 Lap chronograph, 9 interval timers, 3 alarms, 100m water-resistant

** Thanks mom and dad

It's definitely a start... I love my family so much for thinking of me and my future.

All the best,

Kate 

Invitees

Anyone else invited to Cameroon, September 15th?

Invited to ...... CAMEROON

It's official... I will be going to Cameroon.  Leave for Staging on September 15th-16th.  I will be in the Agroforestry and Environment Program... Job title: Farm and Agribusiness Advisor.


I couldn't be happier... this is the perfect job for me and the perfect place.

Still waiting... story of my life

I still have not gotten my invitation in the mail yet... and man it has given me such anxiety.  They sent it to me on March 25th.  Why oh why can't UPS just get here with it.  If I don't get it by tomorrow I will most likely call the placement office and ask for the tracking number.

I have been invited... but to where?

I got an email at 10:37am this morning.... my stupid phone.  It said my application had been updated on Saturday night at 2:00am.  I had no clue what this was pertaining to since I haven't even had my final interview....

Well ladies and gentlemen.  I have officially been invited, and they sent it out on Friday.  I should receive it any day now :)  The crazy part is I have no clue where it is, around what date or job.  It truly is a mystery.

Best,

Katie

Office space combined with Waiting

Do you ever feel like your in a movie?  Well I feel like that every day... like I stepped on the set of Office Space and Waiting combined.  Seriously, I drive to work thinking what the hell am I doing with my life each day... while fighting the horrific traffic.  The time is flying by and I haven't really anything to show for it.  I mean graduating school is a huge accomplishment but really before I actually am finished it just seems like the same busy work, not really doing anything.  

Waiting, the movie on the other hand makes me crack up everyday.  I am standing there singing Happy Birthday in the restaurant and all I can do is laugh and think of the scene in Waiting where the kid is crying.  Its ridiculous.  Thank god this is the last serving job I will (HOPEFULLY) ever had to do.  

I am sending good vibrations (as another post put it) towards the placement office today.  Tomorrow is Friday... which kills me because once the weekend gets here I know I am in for another 3 day wait.  If the placement office could just call me today, I would be a very happy camper.  I am nominated for June and as the days swiftly pass, I know that my expected departure is approaching.  All I need is the damn invite lol.   Every time I call my dad, he is always like WHERE YOU GOING? its the first thing out of his mouth.  He is almost more excited and nervous then I am.  

On another note... what is up with the weather California? This is supposed to be my spring break not winter break?  I refused to leave the house today... I mean there was a tornado warning in Sacramento yesterday... REALLY? Plus everyplace is flooding.  I love cold weather and rain but when you add horrible 25-30 mile an hour wind.... its not so much love anymore.

That is all.  

Best regards,

Katie

Spring Break

I cannot believe it is already spring break for me.... I am almost finished with my final semester of my undergraduate degree.  I stared off spring break in great fashion with a trip to San Fran with the girl friends.  Too much fun.  I love the city, even though the weather was HORRIBLE.  We were tourists, did the touristy things, even went on a ride-the-ducks tour thingy.  I have been to the city probably 25 times and I must say learning about the history made this trip even more special.

Off to enjoy the rest of my time.  Next time I post, I hope it has to do with a final interview or invitation.  We can all dream right?  I will see if I am right.

Best,

Katie

Some contact... finally

I bit the bullet and emailed my placement desk with an updated resume because it had been over a month since becoming medically cleared and my 8 weeks until June is quickly approaching.  

Crazy thing is my placement assistant (who I had not previously heard from) emailed me back literally 45 minutes later requesting my resume.  So in an effort of progress, it was either fate that my placement assistant was reviewing my file at the time and requested the updated resume or my little nudge helped me along.  

Either way, I have finally made some type of connection with the placement office which makes me super happy to know that my file is there and someone is finally looking at my file.  

So cheers to the next stage of waiting.  Waiting for the final interview. 

Best wishes to everyone that is hammering through this process.  It really shows a test to your character.

On another note, I am sending my prayers to those who have been affected by the horrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan.   

Best regards,

Katie

Dolce far niente

I wish I knew how to apply "dolce far niente" (the sweetness of doing nothing) to my life.  Ever since I can remember, I have been in the fast track lane... always racing.  This year isn't any different.  I took an internship that requires 10 hours a week of research, 10 hours I really don't have with my last semester, full work schedule and my senioritis.

Somehow, everything will work out though.  It always does.  You want to know the best part about being super busy?  I think I have cured RAS.  I mean I get the occasional restlessness but for the most part I have come to terms that I either leave in June or leave later.  I am not sure which one I would prefer at this moment?  I mean my sister will be getting married next Aprilish? and I want to help her plan as much as I can before I were to leave.  Plus, the idea of packing up and selling all my stuff sounds daunting, especially if I leave a couple weeks after graduation (I graduate May 21st).  However, I think it will all work out.  I need to remind myself to stay this positive and carefree when it comes lol. :)

I feel extremely blessed that my family supports me 100%, and I have the best family.  There are so many changes happening in everyones lives right now.  I read this blog about the inbetween stages from school to finding a job and/or volunteering with the Peace Corps and I think we all go through this grey area.  We don't know what to expect or where we will be in a few months... and this causes anxiety for most or the feeling of being unproductive.

The only thing I can fully say is that you will experience this grey area in whatever you do.  If its waiting for Peace Corps, or waiting for a job opportunity, or starting a family etc.  I have seen it in so many different forms... and the funny part about it.  We are all doing it.  We are all waiting for something.  I need to learn not to wait, but to live in the present but its so damn hard when you are too excited.

Ciao

Katie

Rise and shine

I received medical clearance early this month and I still have yet to be contacted by the P.O. office.  It seems all the blogs I have been reading lately are contacted within the first 3 days after their clearance in request for an updated resume.  This makes me wonder.  

I will just have positive thoughts that I will be contacted within the next few weeks... and will patiently hold out any contact till April (which is what is stated on my nomination form).  

Recently, people have been asking how I am handling the anxiety of not knowing where I will be moving to or when... and to be honest,  I have been extremely positive.  Yes, it's frustrating because you pretty much have to place your life on hold (ex. grad apps, job apps, apartment rentals) but this is life, and life is not always butterflies and roses. 

On another note, today I am teaching a class on nonverbal communication with my group in intercultural communication.  I am super excited!  I have always enjoyed public speaking and today I get to see what it is like to teach a large group of college students. 

I hope you all have a wonderful amazing weekend!! (almost Friday... yaahahh!!)

xoxo

Katie

Happy Valentines Day

Snow white said when I was young,
"One day my prince will come."




Happy Valentines Day... I love being surrounded by love :)


xoxo


Katie

Timeline

Stage 1:

Application -September 17th, 2010

Health Status Review- September 17th, 2010

Stage 2:

Interview- September 22nd, 2010
                                            
Stage 3:

Nomination- September 28th, 2010 (Sub-Sahara Africa - French based program for Business Advising - Departure June 2011)

Stage 4:

Medical Packet Recieved- October 5th, 2010

Medical Packet Submitted-  November 1st, 2010

Dental Clearance- December 15th, 2010

Medical Clearance-  February 7th, 2010

Stage 5:

Contact from PO- March 11th, 2011

Final Interview- N/A - didn't have one

Invitation- March 25th, 2011 --- Received in Mail April 5th, 2011... I am going to CAMEROON :) Agroforestry and Environment Program as a Farm and Agribusiness Advisor.

Stage 6:

Departure date- September 15th, 2011

Medical Clearance!

I absolutely love my review nurse.  She was amazing... I left her a message last week regarding the fax that somehow didn't go through and she finally received it and personally called me to tell me I am cleared :)

I will received the official letter in the mail this week and on to placement I go.

I am so excited!!  I am finally onto placement and hopefully will hear from them in the next two weeks!

xoxo

Katie

Breathe

It's an amazing day.  No reason... it just is.

xoxo

Katie

Speed bumps

Has anyone else had problems with the medical office fax machine???? I am so irritated at the moment because I attempted to fax over the "respond to all requests from Peace Corps as soon as possible" items that were sent back to me last week and thats just it...I faxed it but I kept getting an error saying that it reached it destination but they were unsure if it actually was printed. (meaning that there could have been a lack of paper or it went electronically to someone's computer??)

Then I called my nurse to check with her,  her answering machine says to contact another lady if you are inquiring about a fax... and I proceeded to contact this woman only to get another contact.  Needless to say I left three messages two days ago and still no response.  I understand that they probably get a million calls and emails... but never the less it is still irritating because I don't know where my personal information went to.

Has anyone else had this type of problem? Should I just contact the general medical office to check?

xoxo

Katie

Read the fine print.

Sooooo..... I finally got something in the mail telling me why I have a hold on my application.  All my tests we done correctly and were complete however I only had the N.P. sign the final page.

I didn't think anything of it because it has always been the doctor I have gone to for everything.  However, on the paperwork it says it must be co-signed by a M.D. or D.O.  Sad part is I didn't know what this meant until I had a little one on one time with google :).

I will be faxing back the co-signature on Monday which will hopefully cure me of my medical hold and push me onto placement (fingers crossed).

Here is my advice to all of you who are filling out paperwork.... TAKE YOUR TIME and READ ALL THE FINE PRINT.  If I had realized my N.P. was not a M.D. or D.O. I would have definitely made sure there was a co-signature and I could have been medically cleared already and onto placement.

Woops.

Anyways... I just finished reading Banker to the Poor  which was an excellent book but I am currently searching for a new book to sink my teeth into... if you have any advice I would love to hear it.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful 2011 thus far.

xoxo

Katie

Trick or Treat?

Do you ever have those moments where you feel like you can predict the future... or have this power over the events that are to take place?  Well this happened to me yesterday.

I remember getting ready for my first day of school as I have every year for the past 18 years.  I lay out my book bag, organize my binders, pick out my first day outfit and off to bed early... excited for a new year with new challenges and work load.  I remember laying in bed thinking what an amazing day tomorrow is going to be and what an amazing treat would it be to hear something on my first day of school from the Peace Corps.

I woke up to 3 emails... I laughed to myself, how funny would it be to hear something today.  Well there it was... an email with an updated peace corps status.

6:30am--- ran/jumped out of bed to my computer... only to find that my status had been updated with a hold... a hold I thought had been there this whole time lol... a trick or treat?!?! I guess it's my mind telling me to chill and that life isn't about living in the future but the present.  I am however pleased to hear they have began to look at my file again... that's some movement.

Anyways, today was my first day of my last semester of my undergraduate career.  5 long years almost over... I have gone from Nursing to Psychology to Business to International Relations to FINALLY my beloved Economics.   As I was scanning the books in the campus bookstore... it began to hit me.  

I love Economics more than anything else I have ever studied or researched... I feel as if the degree was molded for me.  This is weird coming from a girl who in high school could not stand math but there is something about it... its a joy and truly makes me happy.   This semester I took a different approach in preparation for the Peace Corps. I will not be taking any Economics courses besides my research methods. I chose to take an Intermediate French course, Intercultural Communication and Ethnic America... all classes that I feel will better prepare me for the cultural sensitivity that will be required from my service.

So... Cheers to trying new things, going outside your comfort zone... Cheers to those of you getting your invitations and your medical clearances... and cheers to those of you who are accomplishing something that you have poured sweat, tears and blood into... I hope 2011 is an amazing year for you all.  I foresee big things happening :)

xoxo

Katie

Keep your dreams alive

"Keep your dreams alive.  Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication.  Remember all things are possible for those who believe" - Gail Devers

I hope I hear from back from the Peace Corps office this month with news regarding my medical clearance.  Every day I read these blogs of people who are receiving their invitations for June and I can't help but feel the little butterflies of hope in my stomach. Will I be leaving with them? 

Who knows... but that is the least of my worries. If it doesn't happen in June, July or August... I'll take September, October or November.  I just know this is what I was meant to do and I believe it will happen when it's meant to happen. 

Until then, I will keep dreaming.

xoxo 

Katie