So it's been some time. Lately I have found myself finally removed from my addiction to checking peacecorpswiki.org and reading blogs. I quit the packing preparations and the obsessive online shopping (sorry Amazon, I do love you still). Many say I am in denial. You see, I leave for Peace Corps Panama in 16 days. To say it less eloquently; Holy Crap!
My feelings at this point could be described as a "calm before the storm" mentality. I am calm, and almost lazy. Avoidance is a better word. I am avoiding studying my books of Spanish verbs, I am avoiding researching everything like I normally do, I am very happy and feel like this is all a dream. Maybe that means I am ready.
As paradoxical as that may seem, I think I am just so very ready that my brain just sort of shuts off to prevent myself from developing unrealistic expectations or worries that I can't possibly soothe without more knowledge. I don't even know where I will be living for the next two years within Panama, and that is truly liberating. I am finally doing this!
Another reason I feel so happy is because I honestly say that my chapter of self growth did not start with me stepping foot on Panamanian soil. It has already begun to manifest. I recently took a trip alone to New Orleans by myself. I felt the same type of calm avoidance as I left. I knew I would wing it and it would be amazing. Turns out I was right. If you are ever in NOLA stay at the India House Hostel (that's my shameless plug). It was everything I hoped for in my first true hostel experience. Jazz music is also one of the greatest pleasures in life. Well, actually any live music that hits you full on in that case. I also rediscovered my love for hula hooping. After a good 10-12 years, I still got it!
I have a ton to do in only 16 days, but I am ready. I do not feel panic, only poise. My Spanish is pretty rusty, but I will adapt. I am so excited to meet my cohort of fellow volunteers and start this adventure. I am ultimately so thankful for all of this. God has gotten me this far (as much as I fight him on everything) and I can only hope that I continue to trust in his pace and plan for my life. Now don't get me wrong, I am not extremely religious, I just believe in the core concepts of my Catholic upbringing. The real important stuff. And I have no doubt in the cliche that things happen for a reason. Call it fate, nature, or His work; it's all relative. It is real and so is love. A willingness to allow the process to work and have faith in it is essential. At least that's how I see it, you are more than welcome to your personal opinion. If we all thought the same way life would be pretty bland.
Just some ramblings. Shout out to my amazing father, he turns 54 today! Go dad! I am hoping for at least another 30 years with you so make it happen! Keep up the pilates and the music. :)
Besos a todos,
Natalie
Showing posts with label waiting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waiting. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
MY PO INTERVIEW!
I promised I would update after my interview so here goes...
I just got off the phone with my placement officer in the environmental desk. The conversation lasted about 40 minutes, mainly longer than proposed because I tend to ramble when I am nervous. I also tell stories, which is probably annoying. ANYWAYS, I was asked a few of the same questions that I was in my initial interview. For example, "How will you cope without access to communication with home?, What are your expectations regarding distance from other volunteers?, What would keep you from finishing your service commitment?, What is your regional preference and why? Are you flexible to change jobs? What are your safety concerns? How is your family coping? What are you doing to prepare?" This last one made me feel pretty bad about working 55 hour weeks and not getting environmental experience. My answers to these questions were compared to my original interview responses, which was actually pretty enlightening. I think I have grown mentally over this process and really am more concrete on my desire to serve. I also have a much better understanding on what to expect, mainly from reading so many books and PCJournals over the last 5 months.
I was not feeling confident and felt nervous to the point of feeling sick while I was waiting for the call. I did ok though and think I spoke with confidence. I could not read the expressions of my PO, she was very hard to figure out. She did go into detail for me regarding safety, specifically evacuations, which was helpful information. I was relieved to hear how organized PC is on this point.
SO THE VERDICT IS... My PO does not think I strictly qualify for my nominated sector, environmental education, but that I clearly have extensive health and community/youth development skills. I also have SPANISH skills which I didn't even mention because I thought it was a useless and annoying attempt to get placed in C/S America. I have read how competitive this region is, and I figure many people have similar skills to my own. It was such a relief to hear that they were trying to get me into my top region! I want to speak fluently so badly and I really have the most international experience these days with my Mexican chefs at my work. I adore them and try to only speak Spanish to them whenever possible. They sometimes laugh at me but it's ok. I understand most of what they say although the vulgar words were not taught in my school, so sometimes I am lost. Sorry, random tangent again.
So my PO said she didn't think I qualified for strictly environmental sector ... I got pretty worried. I thought oh no she is going to pass me off to some other department into a stack of countless others and I will have to start this all over! I was wrong. She said her colleague is out sick, but that he does placement for the community and youth development programs, including one such program with an environmental education focus. Supposedly this placement is more generalist, but it will have very similar duties to environmental educators. This program is leaving late April for Central/South America. According to wiki, this country is PANAMA! If this other PO thinks I fit, and I got confirmation that there are spots available, I will be invited in the next week! My PO said she does think I am competitive for this program and will be emailing me tomorrow or Wednesday. She also gave me her personal line to call if I don't hear by Wednesday. WHAT!? Personal phone number from placement... I am impressed!
So that is Plan A. I would be so happy I could cry. However, there is a Plan B. This option is if this other placement specialist does not think I am a good match for his April departure (Panama) program. In this case my PO is willing to consider me for a community and youth development placement with a counseling component working with at-risk youth. I am a bit less enthusiastic about this placement, but not totally opposed. I recently applied for an internship with Outward Bound doing at-risk youth work and was denied due to my lack of experience. I agreed that I probably was not ready to the intensity that program required. However, it would be interesting to use my counseling and psychology background in Peace Corps. I just think that working with youth takes a very very special type of person. I love teaching, but when it comes to difficult youth, I prefer them to be the exception in my class, not the majority. All children need love and guidance, but I don't pretend to be able to relate instantly with children who are suffering in a developing country. Their challenges far outweigh anything I have experience and feel very blessed. I just want to be in a position to help. We will see what happens.
God/fate/nature/Allah/ or whoever you pray to has a plan for all of us. I just hope that the big man or woman upstairs only gives me a burden I am capable of handling. I want to do good in the world and learn as much as possible in this life. I am very hopeful and happy in this moment contemplating all of this and I have a renewed sense of patience.
Thank you to all who follow! Good luck to all of you!
Best Always,
Natalie
I just got off the phone with my placement officer in the environmental desk. The conversation lasted about 40 minutes, mainly longer than proposed because I tend to ramble when I am nervous. I also tell stories, which is probably annoying. ANYWAYS, I was asked a few of the same questions that I was in my initial interview. For example, "How will you cope without access to communication with home?, What are your expectations regarding distance from other volunteers?, What would keep you from finishing your service commitment?, What is your regional preference and why? Are you flexible to change jobs? What are your safety concerns? How is your family coping? What are you doing to prepare?" This last one made me feel pretty bad about working 55 hour weeks and not getting environmental experience. My answers to these questions were compared to my original interview responses, which was actually pretty enlightening. I think I have grown mentally over this process and really am more concrete on my desire to serve. I also have a much better understanding on what to expect, mainly from reading so many books and PCJournals over the last 5 months.
I was not feeling confident and felt nervous to the point of feeling sick while I was waiting for the call. I did ok though and think I spoke with confidence. I could not read the expressions of my PO, she was very hard to figure out. She did go into detail for me regarding safety, specifically evacuations, which was helpful information. I was relieved to hear how organized PC is on this point.
SO THE VERDICT IS... My PO does not think I strictly qualify for my nominated sector, environmental education, but that I clearly have extensive health and community/youth development skills. I also have SPANISH skills which I didn't even mention because I thought it was a useless and annoying attempt to get placed in C/S America. I have read how competitive this region is, and I figure many people have similar skills to my own. It was such a relief to hear that they were trying to get me into my top region! I want to speak fluently so badly and I really have the most international experience these days with my Mexican chefs at my work. I adore them and try to only speak Spanish to them whenever possible. They sometimes laugh at me but it's ok. I understand most of what they say although the vulgar words were not taught in my school, so sometimes I am lost. Sorry, random tangent again.
So my PO said she didn't think I qualified for strictly environmental sector ... I got pretty worried. I thought oh no she is going to pass me off to some other department into a stack of countless others and I will have to start this all over! I was wrong. She said her colleague is out sick, but that he does placement for the community and youth development programs, including one such program with an environmental education focus. Supposedly this placement is more generalist, but it will have very similar duties to environmental educators. This program is leaving late April for Central/South America. According to wiki, this country is PANAMA! If this other PO thinks I fit, and I got confirmation that there are spots available, I will be invited in the next week! My PO said she does think I am competitive for this program and will be emailing me tomorrow or Wednesday. She also gave me her personal line to call if I don't hear by Wednesday. WHAT!? Personal phone number from placement... I am impressed!
So that is Plan A. I would be so happy I could cry. However, there is a Plan B. This option is if this other placement specialist does not think I am a good match for his April departure (Panama) program. In this case my PO is willing to consider me for a community and youth development placement with a counseling component working with at-risk youth. I am a bit less enthusiastic about this placement, but not totally opposed. I recently applied for an internship with Outward Bound doing at-risk youth work and was denied due to my lack of experience. I agreed that I probably was not ready to the intensity that program required. However, it would be interesting to use my counseling and psychology background in Peace Corps. I just think that working with youth takes a very very special type of person. I love teaching, but when it comes to difficult youth, I prefer them to be the exception in my class, not the majority. All children need love and guidance, but I don't pretend to be able to relate instantly with children who are suffering in a developing country. Their challenges far outweigh anything I have experience and feel very blessed. I just want to be in a position to help. We will see what happens.
God/fate/nature/Allah/ or whoever you pray to has a plan for all of us. I just hope that the big man or woman upstairs only gives me a burden I am capable of handling. I want to do good in the world and learn as much as possible in this life. I am very hopeful and happy in this moment contemplating all of this and I have a renewed sense of patience.
Thank you to all who follow! Good luck to all of you!
Best Always,
Natalie
Friday, January 21, 2011
Contact from Placement! ... no new info .. BUT YES!
Dear Natalie,
My name is SUPERCOOL PLACEMENT OFFICER and I am the Placement and Assessment Specialist responsible for the final assessment of your application. I have made a preliminary review of your file and I would like to schedule a phone interview with you for further follow up. The call will last approximately 20 minutes. Please let me know your availability for next week.
WHAT!? SO SOON! I feel like the luckiest girl around! It seems as though this SUPERCOOL PLACEMENT OFFICER made this email and then boot'scooted out of the office to enjoy his/her weekend, but I responded right away asking for a Monday timeslot. I can't imagine waiting until Tuesday or Wednesday. I am going to have trouble focusing on work now as it is! YAY! SMILE IS PLASTERED TO MY FACE!
My recruiter keeps reiterating that placement *rarely* moves people out of their nominated programs. I am a bit skeptical, especially with all these setbacks and budget cuts. If that 8-week or 6-week deal holds true I could still be looking at North Africa mid March. That would be insane! I also just bought a 3 week scuba certification course with some friends, so I need to get on that pronto! Not sure if you can scuba in Morocco, but I imagine I will find a way.
Good luck to everyone waiting. I was told I would hear from my PO within 2-6 weeks. Technically it has been a week and a half. So miracles do come true.
My name is SUPERCOOL PLACEMENT OFFICER and I am the Placement and Assessment Specialist responsible for the final assessment of your application. I have made a preliminary review of your file and I would like to schedule a phone interview with you for further follow up. The call will last approximately 20 minutes. Please let me know your availability for next week.
WHAT!? SO SOON! I feel like the luckiest girl around! It seems as though this SUPERCOOL PLACEMENT OFFICER made this email and then boot'scooted out of the office to enjoy his/her weekend, but I responded right away asking for a Monday timeslot. I can't imagine waiting until Tuesday or Wednesday. I am going to have trouble focusing on work now as it is! YAY! SMILE IS PLASTERED TO MY FACE!
My recruiter keeps reiterating that placement *rarely* moves people out of their nominated programs. I am a bit skeptical, especially with all these setbacks and budget cuts. If that 8-week or 6-week deal holds true I could still be looking at North Africa mid March. That would be insane! I also just bought a 3 week scuba certification course with some friends, so I need to get on that pronto! Not sure if you can scuba in Morocco, but I imagine I will find a way.
Good luck to everyone waiting. I was told I would hear from my PO within 2-6 weeks. Technically it has been a week and a half. So miracles do come true.
Anyone else environmental edu. waiting to be placed?
So I am reaching out! Hi! Let's be friends and get through this together!
I have been obsessing over Peace Corps Journals for some time now and am having a hard time finding other applicants who are nominated for environmental education placements. I am curious to hear where people are being invited or re-nominated due to this back-log situation. I am pretty confident that I will not be going to North Africa March departure, and have no idea which regions I have a chance of being sent (knock on wood, fingers crossed, please oh please!). Seems like the PC wiki calculator and timeline shows quite a few upcoming dates for environmental education volunteer positions in Central/South America. I would be overjoyed to go to this region, but I am being realistic. Supposedly this is the most desired region and even my extensive Spanish experience does not equal a ticket to easy language street, for me anyways. Plus, I am really open to anywhere. I was super surprised and pumped about my original nomination, and look forward to round 2, (or 3 God forbid) of re-nominations.
Sooooo if you are in a similar position or just want to share with another restless applicant, let's chat.
THANK YOU!
I have been obsessing over Peace Corps Journals for some time now and am having a hard time finding other applicants who are nominated for environmental education placements. I am curious to hear where people are being invited or re-nominated due to this back-log situation. I am pretty confident that I will not be going to North Africa March departure, and have no idea which regions I have a chance of being sent (knock on wood, fingers crossed, please oh please!). Seems like the PC wiki calculator and timeline shows quite a few upcoming dates for environmental education volunteer positions in Central/South America. I would be overjoyed to go to this region, but I am being realistic. Supposedly this is the most desired region and even my extensive Spanish experience does not equal a ticket to easy language street, for me anyways. Plus, I am really open to anywhere. I was super surprised and pumped about my original nomination, and look forward to round 2, (or 3 God forbid) of re-nominations.
Sooooo if you are in a similar position or just want to share with another restless applicant, let's chat.
THANK YOU!
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