Timeline:
Fall 2005-Toured the World Food Programme in Roma, Italy and thought about ways I could contribute to society
Spring 2006-Had an epiphany--Peace Corps is a way I could help; 27 months of the hardest job you'll ever love? What's not to love? Why not try?!
September 2006-Submitted my application
October 10, 2006-Interview in Atlanta (1 & 1/2 hours!)
October 13, 2006-Nominated for the Peace Corps
November 29, 2006-PC recieved my physical exam results
May 26, 2007-Invited to the PC program in Mali working in business development (I'm sure my parents would have never imagined that their daughter would be invited to the PC on their 28th wedding anniversay!)
July 17, 2007-Date of departure!
I recieved a phone call this morning from my Daddy. He told me I needed to call Jolie from the PC office immediately! So I did. On my application, I wrote that I didn't want to go to Africa because of the alarming HIV rates. After learning more about AIDS and HIV, I became less afraid and actually calm. HIV/AIDS is everywhere. It's just important take preventive measures. Anyway, I assured her that I was comfortable in going to Africa. Then, she asked how I would handle being away from family and friends for 27 months. I explained to her that I probably would go home in between the 2 years because my brother is getting married. He doesn't want me to come home, even for his wedding, but after my graduation and not having my little brother there, our family didn't feel complete. But, I guess we'll figure that one out later. So, she extended an invitation to Mali!! I am relieved because people are always asking me what I am doing ("you just graduated...now what?") and I told people I'm just hanging around. I wanted the PC to become official before I told everybody and now it is! It's truly crazy because I was planning on working at Dillard's and being a slug all summer, and hopefully leaving in September. But, I think it's better this way.
It's really expensive to call home when I am in Mali, and the mail can take 6 months to 1 year to get a letter, so this blog will be another form of communication.
It's really expensive to call home when I am in Mali, and the mail can take 6 months to 1 year to get a letter, so this blog will be another form of communication.
"Every beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
~Seneca
2 comments:
Katie-wishing you Godspeed on your new adventure. I guess we should start sending you letters now so you get them before you come back to the USA. Remember you are loved and can bail at anytime with no questions asked. Love you Bunches!!! Aunt Suzanne
Hi Katie - I'm so glad you posted a map so we now know where Mali is! I did a little bit (tres peu) of reading and was reminded that the country really does have the French colonial background, instead of English like the U.S. The combo of French with native African cuisine should be a real treat (perhaps once you get used to it)--it sure works well in French/Vietnamese, which is mostly what you find out here. Just try not to break any laws. In the French system, one is guilty until proven innocent instead of the other way around. ;-)
I'll echo all of Suzanne's sentiments. All best wishes and lots of love. Kathleen
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