Why am I joining the peace corps? Well, I'm not officially in yet, but assuming I will be invited, I suppose I should answer this question. I guess because it is unexpected? So I can do something that really matters to people as apposed to working to make more money for an evil corporation forever. Or maybe its all for the adventure of living alone in a village in africa for two years! There are many reasons to join the peace corps and go to africa. Besides, I don't have anything tying me down here in america. No family, career, house payments, debt, health issue or any other obligation that would prevent me from being able to go. I figure I may never be as free as I am now so if I'm going to do this thing, this is the time. It's one of those things where you don't want to look back and wish you had done it. So I'm doing it! Africa here I come!!
Where in Africa I'm not quite sure yet. The only hurdles I have left to jump are medical clearance and the placement office. The medical clearance shouldn't be a problem since I have no medical problems to speak of, and hopefully after I'm cleared it won't be too long before I'm placed somewhere!! I already filled the paperwork out and sent it in back in november I think, and I'm still waiting for them to look at it. This year long application process is nothing if not a lesson in patience, a lesson I have unfortunately failed a few times, like everytime I call the guy in DC and ask "have you looked at my med packet YET??" Haha oh well I know it will be done eventually. I decided I'm not going to call anymore... it'll be done when its done and I will focus on other things. Like finding a real job. I have no savings at all right now and I am hoping to go to africa with at least a little bit of savings as a backup in case I need extra money, also so I can travel a bit and visit my friends in their countries who will also be in the peace corps. One is going to zambia, and the other will find out anyday now where he is going! Thats exciting!!
The process goes:
first application-- second application-- essays-- reccomendations-- send everything in-- wait-- wait-- more paperwork-- interview-- nomination-- motherload of paperwork-- doctors visits -- dentist visit-- psychologist visit-- more doctors visits-- send everything in-- wait-- dental and legal clearance-- wait-- wait-- wait-- call DC-- wait-- wait-- wait-- call DC again-- wait-- wait-- medical clearance-- wait-- placement-- buy supplies, pack, say goodbye and go!!

Notice all the waits?? Haha ya very much a lesson in patience! Right now I'm in one of the "waits" after "call DC again", so according to this very accurate timeline, I should be medically cleared very soon horray!!