I've been away, but I'm still here! Will be on in the next few days. I hope you all have been having a warm & joyous holiday season!

At 1:00 today I accepted my placement.

I'm going to UKRAINE!!!!

Some good news...

Today I was selected as a faculty adviser for GYLC - Europe.

You should check out the program here: www.gylc.org (and click on GYLC).

This means that from June 28th - July 18th I'll be out of the country. Also, our flight leaves from Chicago, a city I've never spent any real time in, so I'm thinking I might try to stay for a day to check it out!

Yay!

So I took a bit of control back this week. For a moment I thought my life was spinning out of order.

I called my P.O. and was up front about everything (minus the job I applied for locally). I let him know that my summer plans have changed based on my September nomination and that I'm not ready to leave in June - he noted that my leave time was mid-June, so he knew that it would be a stretch. I also mentioned that I loved the idea of participating in a teacher training program and hoped he would keep a look out for similar opportunities. It seemed like he was happy to hear this (I guess more people are qualified for English Ed. - which was what I'd been nominated for - than teacher training). He said I can expect to hear about similar programs about two weeks from now (for now they are focusing on June & July leave dates only).

This made me feel infinitely better. Two weeks should (hopefully) be enough time to find out if I have an interview with Champlain and I should know what is going on with GYLC by then (speaking of which my interview with GYLC is Monday!).

I also turned in my thesis today! It is totally out of my hands now - and feels amazing!

Now all I have to do to finish is: German, T.A., and work for my R.A. I also started at B&Ns (only Tuesdays for now) because I've put myself in a bit of a financial hole having not worked an extra job this semester. T.A. and R.A. money is great - but it definitely doesn't pay all the bills (or travel - oops!).

So, the life plans that I know of (and some I don't) are below:

April:

Rach M-H visits this weekend - yay!

Finishing School (German/T.A./R.A.)

May:

German Exam

T.A. Students have their exam (i.e. grading for me!)

Trip to D.C. (May 13-15th)

Hooding (May 17th)

Trip to ME (Memorial Day Weekend)

Trip to San Fran. (umm... can't remember the dates right now)

June:

Work (somewhere... B&Ns or the Farm)

June 28th - leave for Europe (if I get a job with GYLC)

July:

July 18th - back to the states (again, if I have the job)

Aug:

This is where I start to not have plans.... hopefully I will figure this out soon!

Hope all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

My life has been nuts!

I got a call yesterday from my Peace Corps P.O. I wasn't there to pick up, so luckily he left a message. The call was asking if I'd be ready to leave in early June for Central Asia. He said that I would be working in a teacher training program which he thought was a better fit.

Needless to say, I panicked. This changed everything. New place/new date/new assignment. I talked to my mom and Jon about it a lot - and I mean a lot - yesterday. Today I went to call him back but he was away from his desk. I'm still not sure what I was planning on saying - but I wanted him to know I was interested in hearing more.

When I didn't reach him I went back to work for a bit (I was at work today & using my phone during breaks). I checked my messages during my next break and sure enough he had called back - we had just missed each other... but he wasn't the only call.

GYLC also called - finally! They want to interview me for the July program. The program is from June 28th - July 18th and it would be amazing. This of course makes leaving in early June impossible.

I'm still not sure what to say to my P.O. I love the idea of being in a teacher training program, but I just don't feel ready to leave in June. There is so much I want to do - and I'd really like to hear back from Champlain to see if I have an interview. That said, if I don't get the job with GYLC (or Champlain) I might be kicking myself for turning down this offer.

I wish this wasn't happening all at once... I really wish I had more time.

Any advice?

*Peace*

Complete. A decision has been reached regarding your medical review. Please look for a letter in the mail.

Medical clearance... finally!

:o)

Lauri from PC called the morning to have a short conversation about my migraines and then say that she would be putting my medical clearance through later today.

That was until she called five minutes later to apologize and let me know I had more to do.

Seriously?

OK, I have to rant. It just needs to be done.

I really want to know where my life is going and what I'm going to be doing. I'm sick of being stuck in limbo.

I take full responsibility for the delay in my PC paperwork as of late (I have yet to bring it to my thyroid Dr.), BUT I am so discouraged by the process that I'm not feeling motivated any longer. The fact that I keep sending in paperwork within three days of receiving it, only to have to turn around and wait for more paperwork, sometimes paperwork that I've ALREADY filled out, is frustrating. This past week I was given paperwork to fill out because my T4 levels are high... well, yes - yes they are... it's because I have a THYROID PROBLEM (you know, that thing that I've talked about at least 94875948759478 times on other forms?). The form is clearly something they just print out when labs come back high because it states "your T4 was high... please see a Dr. and determine the cause, blah blah blah"

Ugh.

I also haven't heard from the people at GYLC regarding the summer position. I've pretty much given up hope on that one, but it would be nice to know... even just a random form letter e-mail "there were a lot of applicants..." that way I'd know not to sit and wait and see if it will work. I've also e-mailed and called their office to see where they were in the application process and they haven't returned either.

I also dropped off my paperwork at Champlain this week. The woman was so kind and the office was in such a beautiful location. I was already dreaming about what it would be like to work there as I stepped in the door, well, until I found out that this past weekend alone they received 39 applications for the job. I also found out that one of my best friends applied for the job. Something I thought might happen, but hadn't talked with her about before I put in my resume.

Well, she seemed really mad at me for applying... and I didn't appreciate that at all. I feel that the job is a perfect fit for me, and while I know she'd do a great job, she doesn't have any experience with the organizations that Champlain works with - AND she has already applied to about 30 other positions in town, so to her this is just one of many other applications. She basically said "thanks a lot, now that you've applied I don't have a shot" which I don't agree with at all (because who knows who they are looking for) and then I thought... do you even CARE about this job? I mean, I saw the post and it made me change my entire life plans that's how bad I want it. I just felt that her attitude was not justified. I was also telling her that I applied because I thought she might be HAPPY that I'd found something locally that got me really excited and that meant I might stay... and instead she was concerned about herself.

Blah.

OK, this is entirely too negative, but I had to get this all out there... I've been having dreams of job interviews gone wrong, so I clearly need to get this out of my head!

*Peace*

I've decided that once I know what I'm going to be doing with my life (if I'll be working in VT or heading to EE with Peace Corps) I'm going to set a list of goals for myself... well, maybe "goals" is the wrong word, more like a "to-do" for the long term.

I keep thinking "Oh I wish I could..." and so I feel that I need to start doing those things. I'm not really sure what has been holding me back.

More on this later. For now I have to study my German!

*Peace*

In the last 24 hours I have reworked my resume, written a cover letter, and collected references. The more I think about this position, the more I hope it will work out. I've been so focused on leaving the country with Peace Corps that I've lost sight of all of the good I can do in my own community.

If it doesn't work out than I am going to continue with my Peace Corps application, but it would be amazing to have the opportunity to work as a Volunteer Coordinator.

Tomorrow I plan on going over to the College to turn in a hard copy of my application. I've submitted online, but I really want to go and introduce myself and be sure they have my most recent resume, etc. (I had submitted an old one online and then updated... but I want to be sure they get the update).

It seems as though it's an exciting time for so many people right now! Two people on my LJ friends' list have recently finished their thesis, one is now engaged, etc.

I also know that it is a hard time for others as well.

So - I just wanted to give a shout out and let you all know I'm thinking of you!

*Peace*

P.S. Oprah's Big Give is the best show on TV.

So, I know I'm applying to Peace Corps, I am... BUT I just found the IDEAL job. It's in my home state... and it would be amazing.

I've applied.

If I get the job I'm staying, period.

*Peace*

I should be so excited about where I am in my life right now (and I am... most of the time). I just finished defending my thesis and it went great. I'm almost done with my M.A. program. I have an amazing group of friends and a wonderful family.

I'm feeling so jumpy though. I really want to know what I'm going to be doing this summer, and where I'm going to be going in September.

The "joy" of applying to Peace Corps is fading, fast. I just had another doctors visit. This whole medical clearance thing is draining. I've had so many appointments, and I've spent so much money. I'm really broke right now. This is probably the first time in my life that I've really worried about money. That said, I'm still in a very stable position - but I am concerned.

The week after next I start working at B&Ns again. For now I'm just going back on Tuesdays. This is in part so that I can get more work done for Melanie (for my RA position), and so I have time to devote to my TA. I'm hoping that I will be able to pick up more hours once classes end, but I know that things are tough in the book business these days.

I'm also still waiting to hear about the Europe program I've applied for. I heard that they will be contacting people about interviews next week. At this point I don't know if I'm really what they are looking for. I have a feeling I'm not qualified. It will be good to hear though - just to KNOW - so I can start to plan my summer.

I have all of these travel plans lined up (D.C., San Fran., and N.Y.) and so far no way to pay for them. I know I will figure it out - but I'm a bit stressed right now.

I think that my thesis was a really wonderful/stressful distraction and now I'm forced back to reality.

I hope all are well in LJ land (and I hope this wasn't too discouraging).

*Peace*

Today was AMAZING.

I passed my defense with minimal revisions needed! I really couldn't have asked for anything more. It lasted an hour and a half, and it was really great. I loved the questions, and felt that all the answers just came into my head at the right time. I'm really proud of myself, and I'm so thankful to all of my committee members.

I have a German exam tomorrow, but I really don't want to study - I just want to celebrate!

I'm going to procrastinate by making thank you cards for my committee!

Yay!

:o)

I've had a great weekend so far!

I went to Montreal yesterday with an amazing group of women. We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Notre Dame, and the BioDome. I love Montreal.

I also turned over my thesis last Thursday. I hope it looks OK. On Wednesday night I had a horrible migraine so I wasn't able to do all of the edits that I would have liked, but I feel that I did enough to show my adviser that I did follow his recommendations.

This Wednesday is the defense. I'm scared, I know my adviser said I shouldn't be, but I am. I'm ready to be done - in a big way. I just want to graduate and get on with Peace Corps. I know I should be enjoying my last few months of graduate school, but like so many other people I keep talking to, I'm burnt out. I'm glad I went to get my M.A. right away, but I need a break!

I'm also getting excited to go to D.C. and then San Fran. My short trip to Montreal got me in the mood for some serious memorial/monument/museum visiting! It will also mean the end of my program (hopefully) which will be great.

I'm off to do laundry and study German for a while. I have a German quiz and exam this week!

I hope all are well out in LJ land.

*peace*

I created a new journal to log all of my PC stuff. I've been using it for a while, but have now decided that I'm going to use it exclusively. I'll post all things history, and otherwise, related in here - but until I hear big news about PC I'm going to keep it over at blogspot (http://pcchristie.blogspot.com/).

That said, if anything really exciting happens - I will let you know!

Oh, and I got my thesis back from my adviser with very few corrections - he also said that I should fly through the defense with no problem.

I'm still a bit in shock.

He is the hardest. professor. ever. and I am so. lucky.

*Peace*

I had an update in my PC toolkit this morning. My medical status is now on "hold" which means that it is currently under review, which is great. I know it is still going to be a while before I know anything more, but I'm glad it's moving along.

I also turned over my thesis (in full) to my adviser today. I was intending on turning it over to my entire committee, but he asked to do a 'once over' before-hand. I hope that everything will be OK. I keep dreading that I'm not going to be at the stage that he, or the other members of my committee, think I should be. In part I'm really glad he's reading it now. He's easily the toughest critic in the department, so if I can make it through him than my defense is going to be a breeze. That said, I need to make it through first.

Next Wednesday is my defense date (provided he doesn't tell me I'm not ready). On Wednesday I will have 5-10 minutes to talk about how I came to my topic and present my methodology, after which I will begin answering questions posed by members of my committee. Once we've chatted for about an hour-ish, I (and any one else in the room) will have to leave to let the committee deliberate. After they finish talking I head back in and am told one of three things: a. pass with revisions (that can be completed in the next two weeks) b. pass with revisions that require another six weeks (meaning I won't graduate until October) or c. is not deemed topically/etc. appropriate.

Paul, my second reader, has let me know that my worst case scenario would be to pass with major revisions needed - in which case I'll have to keep working. I have to say that this has me very very scared. I hope it won't be the case, but I know how important it is to present a coherent document. I also just don't think I can dedicate another six weeks of my life to this subject. I'm really ready to be done.

So, if you happen to think of me next Wednesday - please send good vibes!

That's all for now!

*Peace*

This is probably the last update for a while:

"Peace Corps received the results of your physical exam on March 13, 2008. In some cases, Peace Corps may request additional medical information. Please respond quickly to these requests."

Now I wait.

I hope all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

I know I've been posting a lot, but I needed to share this one last thing.

Keith Olbermann's comments:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23601329#23601329

*Peace*

This is another post about PC without any real update.

I called the medical office yesterday, because my toolkit still lists that they don't have my medical paperwork (even after getting dental clearance). Also, I heard from another volunteer that calling has been known to speed the process along, and seeing as the last time I called I got an update 24 hours later I thought it couldn't hurt.

Well, the very nice person I spoke with let me know that in the next couple days I should see an update stating that they have my paperwork, but after that I can expect to wait six to eight week for any further notice.

SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS? Oh man.

He said that because my nomination states that I won't be leaving until September, it's going to be a while.

I'm really horrible at this waiting thing. I'm going to try to force myself not to call again until April 30th (the seven week mark) but I'm going nuts! On top of that, in six to eight weeks I could find out that I need more tests, more paperwork, etc.

My thesis is due to the graduate college on April 11th, after that I'm going to need a really good distraction to keep my mind off all of this!

Any ideas?

Also, no word yet on the job in July... I think I'll actually be glad to be back in school (this week we're on break) because I'll have less time to sit around wondering where my life is headed.

*Peace*

Political rant to follow...

I'm finding it frustrating that Hillary keeps claiming she won TX without the full results. Equally frustrating is TX's inability to report the caucus results. I understand that record numbers of voters have been turning out at polling stations across the country, which is fabulous, but isn't it also old news? Hasn't this been the trend throughout the entire election? Why are polling stations still seemingly unprepared for the turnout?

Final results from TX are due March 29th. I'm glad there is a due date. I'm also glad that it is before the primary in Pennsylvania.

I really think Obama is our only chance to beat McCain. I also don't want to live a life of Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton. I know it's cliche at this point, but we really do need a change. I'm also relieved to have a candidate that doesn't participate in divisive campaign tactics, or ad campaigning that aims to frighten the American public.

In addition, I find Hillary almost as hard to watch as Bush.

OK - just had to get that out of my system!

*Peace*

One more for OBAMA!

I know things are going to get tough - but I truly believe in him!

*Peace*

I thought I'd share my life plans with you all (from now until September).

March 11 - 16th: Edit my Thesis

March 17th: Turn Thesis over to Committee

March 22nd: Day trip to Montreal with Jen, Katrina, Jackie, & Robin

March 26th: 2:00 Thesis Defense

March 26th - April 11th: Edit Thesis for the Last time!

April 11th: Thesis due to grad college

April 12th: Another trip to Montreal (maybe?)

May 13th - 15th: Trip to D.C. with some awesome grad. student friends (doing the museum/memorial thing)

May 17th: Hooding!

May 18th: Graduation

May 22nd - 25th: Maine with Jon for his brother's graduation

May 29th - June 2nd: San Fran. to visit Keri! (My first time to CA!)

June ? - June ?: NYC with Jon to visit Becca!

July: Traveling around Europe (if I get the job I applied for)

September ?: Begin staging with PC

I'm really excited for my plans, and really hoping I get the job I applied for in July! That would be amazing. After April 11th my life is going to be so great. I will still have German, TAing, and work for Melanie as her RA, but other than that I'm in the clear. My plan is to go back to B&Ns for a few days a week to make some money. If I don't get the July job I'm also going to work all of July at B&Ns as well.

Now I just need to hear back on the job I applied for in July and the next step with PC!

Wish me luck!

*Peace*

I just got a PC update (yes, on a Sunday - weird).

I am now dentally cleared: "Complete. Peace Corps has completed your dental review. There are no dental holds on your account at this time."

I guess I can assume they've received my medical paperwork!

I also have no legal holds (which is not new, but I'm not sure that I've put that in here yet). Now I just have to wait for full medical clearance (which I'm assuming won't be anytime soon).

At least I know they have my paperwork and I've passed the dental review!

*Peace*

It's spring break which means it's thesis week.

I've got nine days to make this thing shine.

The countdown is on....

*Peace*

I just bought a round-trip ticket to go visit Keri in San Fran. from May 29 - June 2!

Yay!

My lecture also went well (I think), and now break starts -- which means no class, but a whole lotta thesis!

I hope all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

It's amazing how up and down I am these days, and by "up and down," I mean stressed or not stressed. My thesis is driving me nuts. I'm really going crazy. I feel like it keeps sucking these hours out of my life, but to no result. I understand myself well enough now that I know that I work best under pressure, so I should be thankful for all of this stress, right?

I guess the stress has just reached a level of no return though. I knew February 1 - April 11 was going to suck, but by suck I didn't know it meant "be the worst experience ever." My sleep schedule is a total mess. I was doing really well to go to bed early and wake up early, but that has stopped working. It wasn't enough. About three weeks ago my thesis adviser recommended I start to replace sleep with caffeine. I think he'd be proud of me these days.

Tomorrow I have the next section due... tomorrow night rather. Which means you can bet I'll be up all night tonight and may even be up much of the night tomorrow. My writing in here is a weak attempt at calming myself down, but it's not really working.

The hardest part is that the person I talk to most about my thesis, my best friend in the program, is doing so amazing on hers. I'm so proud of her right now, but I also don't think I can hear it anymore. At least, not right now. She is trying really hard to be supportive, and I love her for that, but it's hard not to be insanely jealous. I was talking to one of the the Professors I've TA'd for in the past and he assured me that it is totally normal to be stressed and feel behind regarding my thesis. He said that most people feel that way. I think I need to start talking to more of those people. Right now I feel like I'm the biggest failure in the department - which may in fact be a product of constantly talking to the greatest success of the department.

So, for now I think I'm going to try to lay low. Keep my head down and get this damn thing done. I'll come out of my hole once it's finished.

I think the worst part is that I've started to lose faith... to actually think it might *not* get done, and then what? Then I've let down all of these amazing people who've helped me along the way, then I work through the summer? Then I don't go to Peace Corps in order to finish? Seriously, what happens then? I can't let that happen. I have got to get this thing done...

Words of support/advice/stories of crazy thesis happenings/etc. are all very welcome.

Yesterday I had the second half of my PC physical (which simply meant she read the PPD to check for TB). I have to call on Monday to be sure that she has received all of my information on immunizations, and then check back mid-week to see if all the labs are in.

I can tell that my Dr. is frustrated with the process. It's hard because I agree that the paperwork is long, but I also know it is important to be detailed (which isn't really happening). In addition, it turns out that the woman who works with all incoming medical documentation has been out due to a death in the family, so my physical took place without my medical history. Thankfully I don't have any major medical problems in my past, but I did have to resend my immunization history (this time a direct fax to my Dr.).

Right now my semester is taking place via. check list (which is not an uncommon occurrence, but the list seems to have grown significantly). I'm going to be very happy to have the medical packet on its way and out of my hands so it's one less thing I have to think about. I'll also be happy to get through tomorrow and on to the weekend.

I don't have too much more to say at this point. I've got to get back to work - but I hope everyone is doing well out.

*Peace*

I had the first 1/2 of my PC physical today. It was nuts! Even the receptionist commented on how long I was there.

As part of my physical I had to fill out two sets of forms to be checked by my physician. The first of these was a general check-list, asking if I had problems with anything. Of those listed, my only problems were thyroid and migraine headaches. She then had to fill in comments explaining the conditions. The second sheet was a general health evaluation, (yes I can climb stairs, yes I can ride a bike, yes I can deal with both hot and cold weather, etc.) she also had to sign off on this form.

The rest of the forms had to be filled out entirely by her. This included a general section on measurements and general findings (blood pressure, etc.); a form on the clinical examination (in which she will have to check 'normal' or 'abnormal' once my labs come back); a form on lab findings more generally - includes the urine test, pap smear, and tuberculin test (which required a PPD, i.e. shot under the skin); the next section asks for lab results from all blood tests, including: HIV Serology, CBC, HepBsurface, HepBcore, HepC serology, and G6PD titer; the next section details my immunization history; the next a summary of the medical examination and additional comments; and finally a place for my physician to fill out her license number, etc.

That said, I had to take a ton of tests. They took a urine sample, pap smear, put in the PPD, and took three viles of blood. On Wednesday I have to go in to have them read the PPD.

As of Wednesday I will be mostly done, with the exception of the pap results which take up to two weeks. So, my plan is to fill out the paperwork together, make a copy of everything for my own files, and then leave the entire packet with her to fill in the last section and send along with the final lab results.

I was hoping to have everything sent by March 1st, but hopefully this will only push me back to the 3rd. I've heard that PC will nominate more people than there are places in each program, with the understanding that people will drop out along the way - so even though I've been nominated for EE, I need to get my medical packet in within enough time to secure my place in the program. Even then, it is always possible that my invitation will be different than my nomination, but I'd like to do what I can to secure my place in EE.

Other than my PC stuff I've also been working on my thesis, TA, and RA. Tomorrow I plan to revise my second chapter, get a few hours in for Melanie, and finish my TA reading for Wednesday!

I hope all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

Yesterday I went to the dentist to have some x-rays done, and pick up all of my dental paperwork that I'd dropped off last week. I also went to get another eye exam. After the eye exam was finished I dropped off my new prescription for a pair of glasses.

Dental Work = done

Eye Exam = done

Physical Exam = Monday, Feb. 18th.

I have a feeling that the physical won't be the end of it. There is a lot of lab work that I need to have done, and so I'll have to wait for the results.

I'm hoping to have my medical packet on its way to D.C. by March 1st - I hope I can make that happen!

In thesis news, I've been working on the 'history section.' I'm trying to have it finished tonight to turn in, because I really need to move on. I'm feeling so tired though. I was sick all weekend long... and wasn't able to get anything done.

I am feeling better about meeting my deadline though, the chapter is coming into focus, and it's clear that I will be able to get this thing done. Now I just have to push forward. I keep trying to remind myself that I can sleep once April hits.

That's all for now... oh, and GO OBAMA!!!

*Peace*

I have a sinus infection, which feels more like the flu.

My antibiotics have me fully out of it all of the time.

Jon went home for the weekend, so I went to my parent's house.

My mom is convinced that I shouldn't go to PC, and has decided that now is a good time to talk about it.

Oh, and I have a chapter due on Monday that I was planning on writing over the weekend.

eff.

Things with PC are going well and moving along. I got my med. kit on Monday. Yesterday I spent most (all) of my day running around after paperwork. As part of the medical kit I need to have a physical which meant getting a GP for the first time since I went to the pediatrician! I've had my thyroid Dr., but that was about it. I also have to have my dental records sent, and need to get new glasses/have an eye exam!

So, yesterday I dropped off my paperwork at the dentists. I just went in January, so I don't have to go for another appointment, but they do need to fill everything out and make copies of my x-rays. They are going to call me to pick it back up when they are done (which they said should be around Friday).

Then, I called my mom's Dr's office to see if anyone was taking new patients - and there was a female Dr who was - yay! So, I set up a physical for President's Day.

After which I headed to my old pediatricians office to have my records sent over to the new office (because they have my immunization records, etc.), and then over to my thyroid Dr's to have those records sent. Originally my thyroid Dr had said she would see me to do the physical, but I couldn't get an appointment until June, and that just isn't going to work.

Once I finished with all of that, I headed to an optometrists in my town. I got a prescription (and was basically told that my left eye doesn't function anymore... so my new glasses are going to force my brain to make the eye work). Well, my mom didn't really understand the prescription, and has asked that I get a second opinion before ordering any glasses... SO, I put a hold on the glasses and am waiting until I hear back from my aunt (who works for an optometrist) to see if she also thinks I need a second opinion, at which point I'm going to go to her office.

I was really frustrated at first (in part because I'd just paid for an appointment, I didn't want to have to pay for another one)... but I think it will ultimately be for the better. Also, my mom knows what she's doing when it comes to this stuff - and I really have no clue - so I'm just going to go along with it. Plus I can't send anything in until after my physical on the 18th anyway, so it's not going to hold me back.

So, for right now I'm waiting to hear from my aunt re: a new appointment; waiting to hear from the dentist's office re: my paperwork; and waiting for my physical exam on the 18th. There isn't anything I can do until I hear back from one of those three - so I'm just going to sit tight and try to have some patience.

That is really all I had to say! I hope you all are doing well!

If you haven't already checked this out, you should.

http://www.dipdive.com/

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

I passed my comps - YAY! I hope that is the last time I will ever have to sit down for six hours of testing (reason number 875928475 not to continue on for a PhD). Now I need to finish my thesis, German, TAing, and research assistantship and I'm out of here! Yay!

This will mean trying to get my motivation back. I have senioritis like never before... so I'm really counting down the days before I have my M.A.

Okay, now I've got to make some food for tonight. A bunch of us are getting together at Alex's to play a debates drinking game (here's to hoping Obama rocks the debate tonight!).

*Peace*

It may come as no surprise that my plan to eat well has been a bit off track lately. I'm getting my butt back in gear, but I forgot just how hard it was to get started. That said, I will plan on positing a weigh in next week!

In other news, I finished my comps today! I hope that they went well (I feel like they did). I'll know for sure tomorrow. It is exciting because it brings me one step closer to graduation - yay! I need to start to figure out a plan between May-September however... we'll see how that goes.

I've been spending a lot of time at Dobra, the local tea house. It's a fabulous place, and I love trying all of their teas. In a couple weeks my friend Ryan and I are going to take a tea exploration course with them. It should be super fun.

I've also started reading One Hundred Years of Solitude, and am absolutely in love with it! What a beautiful story. Jon and I have started a new tradition of reading outloud at night (I'm not sure if I've said this in here or not, so I apologize if I'm repeating myself). It all started when I was reading 'Eat, Pray, Love' and couldn't stop laughing. I found myself reading tons of passages out loud, until finally I just started to read the whole thing. Since then we've read 'Devil in the White City' and now we're reading One Hundred Years of Solitude. It's fabulous.

Well I need to get back to my thesis. I hope you all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

Christine,

Congratulations on your nomination to the Secondary Education English Teacher program leaving for Eastern Europe in late September 2008!

In the next 5 business days, you should receive a packet from the Office of Medical Services (OMS). This packet will include instructions regarding your medical and dental examinations/paperwork which you will need to fill out and submit back to OMS. This packet will be mailed to: XXXXX. If you have moved please email me your current address.

Once you have been medically cleared you will then hear from your Placement Officer regarding your formal country invitations – this typically takes place 6-8 weeks prior to departure. The sooner you get your medical paperwork submitted the sooner OMS can process it.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Congratulations again!

A little PC update for you all.

There is no nomination, yet. I have heard from the Boston office quite a few times again though (Susanne is amazing!). I've also heard from Amanda to check on my status (who is also amazing).

The most recent e-mail was very promising. Susanne mentioned that we can't have any kind of serious conversation yet, because my file is incomplete without Keri's recommendation... BUT she did want to tell me about placements we could talk about in the days ahead. The placements include: Sub Saharan Africa leaving July 1 and Aug. 1, Asia leaving throughout the summer (but they are also looking for someone with technology skills, which is something I don't really have), and... Eastern Europe leaving in late September!

My first reaction was to write back and say "Send me to Africa!" but, I know this is not what my family would want to hear. As much as I know PC is about me, I also know it is going to be a lot easier to go knowing that my family is not up all night worrying. While I believe some of their fears about Africa are unfounded, I also understand where they are coming from. In addition, my mom is working really really hard to be supportive of this choice. She keeps mentioning things she's read in the paper (local jobs) and other opportunities for travel, but then always says "... but I know this is what you want to do."

So, with that in mind I called my parents last night and had really wonderful conversation about the three options. After that conversation I wrote back to Susanne to let her know that if there was any choice in the matter (over the next few days) I would love to head to Eastern Europe. I feel like that makes the most sense for me as a Holocaust historian anyway.

Then... this morning, I had an e-mail waiting for me from Keri saying that her recommendation is in! With any luck I'll be talking to Susanne again this afternoon!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

*Peace*

There is just so much I want to say here! Today has been a crazy day.

I finished the first of two comprehensive exams (three hour exams to test our competence in two different subject areas - you must pass both to graduate). I'm confident that I nailed today's exam! My next one is a week from today, but already I'm feeling better about the whole process (as you can imagine this has caused a bit of stress over the last couple weeks).

I also turned in the introduction to my thesis! It was painful, and took forever, but now it's out of my hands (at least for a little while). Now it's time to charge ahead into chapter one!

I also saw the most amazing lecture by Harry Belafonte. His words brought me to tears, and further hardened my resolve to make Peace Corps happen! And I'm so glad it did. I got home today to an e-mail saying that I needed to submit another recommendation. I had intended for OJ (my associate dean) to act as my 'friend' (you need recommenders from three categories: friend, employer, and volunteer supervisor). Well, because OJ was such a huge part of my undergraduate career, I really wanted him to be a part of the process. I understand why this might be confusing, but I'm still bummed. Every thing missed along the way only lengthens the process. I have a phone call & e-mail in to my friend Keri to see if she'll act as my third recommendation, then hopefully I can get this process moving!

I should be adding a weigh-in, but I'm running out the door, so I'll write again soon. For now I just wanted to talk about my crazy day!

*Peace*

I just had my PC interview. Now the waiting game, yuck. I should hear something in the next two weeks Amanda said, which is really exciting.

So, this is my progress since the last update:

1/12/08 (ish) - All transcripts in (from UMaine, NMSU, UVM)

1/17/08 - Essays finished

1/17/08 - Interview (and extra forms, I had to fill out a 'relationship questionnaire')

At this point there isn't anything I can do until I hear back from PC. Amanda said she would e-mail me once she has sent my forms to Boston (so that I know they are in). At that point it leaves her hands and is up to a woman named Suzanne.

Most of the interview questions were exactly what I'd seen online. I think it really helped to walk in knowing what to expect.

Well, I really need to get to work - or else I'd write more. I hope all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

I just finished my last-first-day of school ever, weird. I think it's going to be a good semester, a TON of work, but good. My TA students seem great. I have a few from Flora's class, and a few from Frank's, which is nice.

I had an okay week of eating.

Start Weight: 155.5

Last Week: 155.5

This Week: 152.5

Change: -3.0

I know that I could have done better, so some of my goals are going to stay the same. I'm doing a much better job of thinking positively though. My goals for this week include:

1. Drink More Water

2. Keep a Food Journal

3. Think more positively

4. Eat more slowly

I hope that eating slowly will help stop me from over-eating, but we'll see. I also need to do a much better job of drinking water. Here goes!

I've also made progress with my PC app. I now have all of my transcripts (from UMaine, NMSU, and UVM); my fingerprints; have finished my skill addenda; and have *almost* finished my essays. I'm going to try to finish them today & tomorrow so that I can print them out on Wednesday.

I also just scheduled my interview! I'm meeting with Amanda, our local recruiter, at 2:00 on Thursday! Please think happy thoughts for me! After that it will be (hopefully) on to nomination and the start of my health check status.

I hope you all are doing well out in LJ land! If you have any tips/advice for the interview please share!

*Peace*

Classes start again tomorrow, yikes. I hope it will give me the motivation I need to work on my thesis. I've been slacking quite a bit lately. I did take one very interesting trip down to Boston via. greyhound however.

Basically, the VT office closes at 7:00, after which point you are no longer able to get tickets (they are not connected to the internet or phone ticketing services). So, not sure what to do (seeing as I was hoping to take a night ride down, to make a day trip worth it) I called the national phone line. In a nutshell this is how our conversation proceeded:

Me: Hello, I'd like to take the 2:00a.m. bus from Burlington to Boston, but I'm not sure how to get tickets.

G-Hound: You mean, for this morning?

Me: Yes.

G-Hound: Well ma'am, you can try to buy your ticket from the bus driver, but you see, they're captain of their own ship, so it's gonna be up to them.

Me: Will they take a credit card?

G-Hound: No ma'am, they won't. You're gonna have to get some cash.

Me: O.k.

G-Hound: Oh, and ma'am, don't go lookin' like a skank. If you look like a skank they ain't gonna sell you a ticket.

Me: I think I understand what you're saying. Thanks!

*click*

So kids, today we've learned to carry cash and not to look like a skank when traveling with greyhound. Unless of course you already have your ticket, at which point I'm sure you can be as skanky as you might like.

The trip to Boston was awesome however. I got to meet up with Johanna and Emily, and to spend some good quality time with 'my' memorial. I also saw an amazing concert this Friday, and have had an overall great week. Oh, and I've been eating well too. Now I just have to get myself in gear and work on my thesis! Wish me luck!

*Peace*

Part of the Peace Corps application is the health status check. I've heard this is the longest part, and at times, the most stressful. In preparation for both the health check, and for the possible experience to follow, I need to start taking care of myself again.

For those of you who've been around this journal for a while, you might remember that I used to do weekly weigh-ins. Well, consider them back. As of today I'm going to start a food journal (again), and try to get myself back on track. When I first moved into the apartment I'd hoped that we would stock our fridge, and shelves, with nothing but amazingly healthy food - well, it seems the opposite happened. I'll try to keep these updates under a cut for all of you who don't really care to know my weight, etc.

Starting Weight (1/7/08): 155.5 (ouch)

I'm also 5'3" which means my starting BMI is: 27.5

In order to be 'healthy' my BMI should be between 18.5-24.9 (meaning my weight should be between 107-140), so I've got a ways to go.

I know myself, meaning I know I'm never going to be around 107, unless I stop eating - which is something I'm never going to be willing to do (I loooove food!). So, I'm going to set my goal for around 135-140 for now.

The last time I did this I set weekly goals for myself, and that seemed to work pretty well. This week my goals are going to include:

1. Drink more water

2. Keep a food journal

3. Think more positively

Each week (once I feel I've mastered one of my goals) I'll add another one.

We'll see how this goes. Wish me luck!

That is all for now!

*Cheers*

Like so many other posts I keep reading, I'm not ready to go back to school. Now that I've started my peace corps application I'm just itching to be done! I'm glad I went for my M.A. right after my B.A., but I'm also warn out, and starting to understand why people take time off. I can't wait to live in a world where I don't have to think about whether I'm getting an 'A.' I keep wondering 'when my life is going to START' and then having to remind myself that graduate school is, in fact, life.

Today is January 5th, which means I still have ten more days before I'll hear from the Peace Corps recruiter regarding an interview. I wish it would come faster, but I know how much I need those days to get myself ready for the semester to start (and ready for my interview).

I have four main responsibilities this semester (minus my comps - which will be over in January). The first of which is to write my thesis, the second is to TA, the third is to RA, and the fourth is to finish German. German meets M, W, Th, & F. I TA on M, W, & F, and my office hours are on Thursday. Once my thesis is in I plan to go back to B&Ns a couple days a week.

I don't have much else to say. Helen is on her way over so that we can study for our first comp together (one of our fields is the same). After which I'll probably read and relax. I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love right now, it is amazing! Believe the hype. Last night I read some aloud to Jon while we were falling asleep - and he liked it too.

I hope all are well out in LJ land!

*Peace*

I'm still plugging along with my PC application. Before my interview I have to answer three questions, and I'm finding it very difficult (which, I guess, is the point). The questions are:

1. Why do you want to teach in a developing country?

2. How would you react to being in a school system/culture where corporal punishment may be the norm?

3. How would you work within an educational system which emphasizes rote learning rather than learning through discovery?

I feel that I've done a pretty good job with questions one and two, but I'm having a hard time with question three. I've talked to a lot of friends/family about the questions and through these conversations feel I've come to some answers that I'm satisfied with, but we'll see how it goes.

I also searched yahoo and found a list of potential interview questions, so I've been trying to prepare myself for those. I don't want to walk in with scripted answers, but I do want to fill my head with 'situations.' A lot of the questions begin by stating, "explain a situation in which you've..." so I'd like to have a few different experiences in mind that I can call up quickly.

Aside from that, I've been working at B&Ns for some extra cash (I'm pretty broke right now, in fact, I'm really broke). I also really need to work on my thesis, but part of me doesn't know where to start. I told Huener I'd have an intro. to him by January 4th - we'll see how that goes!

Jon and I are going to Maine for a day trip on the 29th to meet up with friends from undergrad. I'm really excited to see everyone, it's been too long.

Well, I better get back to the application! I hope all of you are doing well out in LJ land!

Cheers.

I've been spending most of my day today looking through Peace Corps related things online. I found that many people track their application process through blogs, and thought this might be a good idea. To this end I wanted to include a time line that will bring my application up to date.

So far:

11/13/2007 - Began the PC application online

12/9/2007 - Completed the PC application & Started/Completed the Health Status Review

12/13/2007 - Received an e-mail from regional recruiter (said that she will be out of town until January 15th, at which point we will set up an interview).

12/15ish/2007 - Received pre-interview packet from Peace Corps

12/20/2007 - Fingerprints completed at local police dpt.

To Do (before the interview):

- Get Transcripts (UMaine transcripts are in the mail, NMSU transcripts have been requested, UVM transcripts need to be picked up)

- Fill out Skill Addendum

Where I am:

Right now I'm in the beginning stages of the process (half way through application - i.e. before interview). There are four parts of the application:

- Application

- Nomination

- Qualification

- Invitation

I have a lot of things ahead of me, but I'm dedicated to making this work!

I also need to work on questions that I have for the recruiter. If you all have any questions about Peace Corps - could you pass them on? I'd love to see if they are things that I've considered, and if not then I'll defiantly add them to my list!

Thanks!

I haven't updated this in a while ... oops!

The semester is over! I finished all of my course work, yay! What is even better is that I finished with a 4.0 in history!!!

Next semester I have comps (in January) and then I'll be working on my thesis. I've also signed up for another semester of German and was giving another TA (plus working on my research assistantship).

I also applied for Peace Corps and have an interview in January - wish me luck!!!

So, overall things are going well. I'm pretty sure that I belong in secondary education - so no PhD applications at this point, but that could always change. I feel pretty confident in my subject area, which is pretty exciting.

I hope everyone out in LJ land is doing well!

*Peace*

The Vet came to put Willow down today. I've been too busy to write, but I thought that I should write this down somewhere. Not that I think I'll soon forget today, but just that it should be written down.

I'm okay. So is my family. It was the best thing to do.

If you have never worked in the service industry here are a couple "tips" :o)

1. When making a reservation in a hotel - know your dates. It is the first thing we ask.

2. Please, don't lie. We won't lie to you, please don't lie to us. If you have seven children, that is important information - we WILL see them when you check in.

3. When you make a dinner reservation for 7:00, or 8:00, or 5:30, or whenever, be on time.

4. If you show up on time for your dinner reservation we will be very happy, but we will also seat you. If you want to walk around with a drink, come early.

5. If you come over twenty minutes late for your dinner reservation, don't be shocked if we don't have your table ready. If you're late, we're allowed to be late too.

6. A table for four is not the same as a table for six, or ten. If you make the reservation for four don't be shocked if we can't fit in you and your eight friends at the same time (or on the same night for that matter).

7. Four nights a week I am a dinner hostess, two days a week I am a reservationist, the rest of the time I am a graduate student, but I am ALWAYS human - please, don't forget that.

There are so many other things I'd love to add to this list. I'm sure no one on my friends page really needs to read this, mostly I just needed to get it out. Oh, and if you're feeling inspired feel free to add to the list :o)

*Cheers*

Oh, and I hope everyone is doing well out in LJ land!!! xoxo.

I don't know how many of you have been following the "Jena 6" story, but it has had me transfixed since I first heard it on NPR. I thought I would share their original story with all of you: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12353776

I hope it continues to attract national attention.

That is all for now.