The Long and Winding Road

Alright guys this is my first blog post about my journey toward becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer. I have always enjoyed reading people PC timelines to help pass my time and keep me motivated, so I figured I would post mine. Ill be updating this blog as I complete the steps towards my formal invitation, I will also hopefully continue this blog throughout my PC service, provided there is a computer not to far away. Thank you all for your support. My tentative leave date is November 2009 as a Science teacher and Health advisor in Southern Africa.

Peace Corps Time Line
17 September 2008 - I attended an informational Peace Corps panel about volunteering in education abroad. The panel was great and continued to spark my interest in joining the Peace Corps. I never thought about teaching, but after listening to everyones stories I can definetly see this as a possibility.

23 September 2008 - I attended a More Peace Corps event tonight at Virtually Cuban were I met many returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Everyone shared their experiences and talked about the MorePeaceCorps campaign to double the size and budget of the Peace Corps. After meeting Rajeev Goyal the head campaigner for MPC I was dead set on applying.

25 September 2008 - Today I started my preliminary Peace Corps application that spans over 20 pages and concludes with an online medical evaluation.

6 October 2008 - Volunteer Application submitted along with medical application, just waiting on bum friends to do references.

13 October 2008 - I recieved an email from Jacob Kelly the recruiter coordinator in GA. The email contains many forms to fill out.

15 October 2008 - I attend a Peace Corps Agriculture panel and inform my local recruiter Amy Panikowski that I have recieved the email from Jacob. She is excited to get the ball rolling.

16 October 2008 - Jon Rhoads Submits a letter of reccomendation on my behalf.

17 October 2008 - Recieved Peace Corp packet in the mail contaning NAC background check form and two finger print charts. This also contains the mytoolkit information I have been waiting for so I am able to watch the progress of my application online. There is still a long way to go.

21 October 2008 - During the day I made an appointment with Amy for November 5th at 9:00 am to have my interview. When I got home I went to UFPD and had my two finger print charts filled out. My official college transcripts also came in the mail today. My Uncle Keith submits a letter of recommendation on my behalf.

5 November 2008 - I have my Interview with Amy. She was great and asked me 18 questions that covered various topics about why I wanted to join the peace corps.

7 November 2008 - I go to a PC social even at Tim and Terrys. It was cool to get to meet RPCVs from all ages talk about their different Peace Corps experiences.

13 November 2008 - I attend a Peace Corps and business meeting. I arrived early to help Amy set up and prepare everything. I dont care to much for business but I always enjoy talking to RPCVs so I attend. Amy makes an announcment infront of the audience that I will be recieving my nomination tomorrow!

14 November 2008 - I checked my email about every 30 minutes waiting to hear something from Amy. I recieved an email later in the day saying she was having trouble getting in touch with the placement officer and that she would get him monday morning and rap up the nomination on monday morning.

17 November 2008 - Today I was NOMINATED for Peace Corps service in Africa as a Science teacher. Wow this is really happening. Amy tells me to start scheduling my doctors, dentists and optomologists appointments for mid December to expedite the process. The position doesnt leave until next November, but Amy put me down for immediate leave, better get that paperwork in.

18 November 2008 - Today I recieved an email from Peace Corps informing me that myToolkit online has been updated. It now contains a ton of information about the remainder of the application process. Peace Corps mails me my medical kit.

21 November 2008 - Today I recieved my medical packet in the mail, this looks daunting. Full evaluations for dental, eye and medical need to be filled out wow.

26 November 2008 - Today I called up the doctors, optomotrists, and dentists office for visits next week.

4 December 2008 - Today I met with Dr. Kemp to fill out my physical evaluation and get an updated tetnus shot since it has been 10 years since I recieved it last, wow that hurts like hell. Dr. Kemp was nice and very thorough as I was his first Peace Corps applicant. After recieving a TB shot and looking at some most private parts of my body to make sure everything was in order I was out of there. 25$ copay, thank you Clariant insurance! I have to come back in a few days to get the TB skin test read. Dr. Kemp also gives me a prescription to take to the lab so I can get my blood drawn. Its right next to the doctors office so he says I can just go get it drawn now, smooth sailing so far. When I got to Ayers lab I had to argue with someone because I guess Dr. Kemp forgot to put a number on their.I won that battle and then had a pleasant woman draw six titers of blood from my arm. She was unphased by my banter. Im having a hard time getting a copy of my immunization records, my old Drs office seems to have missplaced it =/

5 December 2008 - Today I went to the Dentist and Optomotrist. My dentist, Dr Alicia McDonald, was very nice and did a full mouth examination which included many sticks with a poker into my gums, this doesnt feel too good. She also gave me a new updated set of panorex for free, see people do help PC volunteers. Then I rushed over to the Optomotrist and met with Dr. Miller. Dr. Miller was pretty crazy and cracked jokes the entire time. And kept telling me I was going to be working in a bush for 2 years... thanks doc. He filled out my paper that said 20/20 vision, sweet.

8 December 2008 - Today I went to the University of Florida infirmary and recieved a copy of my immunizations, finally.

9 December 2008 - Went back to Dr. Kemps office today and he checked that I didnt have TB. He also informed me that I would have to go to the Health Department to get a Polio Booster shot, gah.

10 December 2008 - Today I went to my Foreign travel appointment and met with a peculiar RN, Kitty Mancuso. She informed me pretty much that if I didnt want to get Malaria to just lock myself in a house for 2 years. She also informed me of a list of ticks, mosquitos, and diseases to watch out for, Ill be sure to do that. After 90 dollars and an 90minute consulation she was able to give me the polio booster.

17 December 2008 - Its been like 2 weeks since I got my blood drawn and still no results. I called the lab and it appears that have missplaced the results, thats awesome.

24 December 2008 - Dr. Kemps office called me to tell me that the lab found the results and faxed them over and that I should come in so he can finish the paper work and discuss the results with me.

25 December 2008 - Today I saw Dr. Kemp and found out that I do not have HIV/Aids, Hep A,B,C, and various other antigens, good news. Unfortunatly the results didnt show Hep B antibodys from when I got vaccined like 5 years ago, I guess PC will let me know if I need to get this one again =(

29 December 2009 - Today I quadruple checked all my forms and send off my packet. Im sure this will be delayed because of the holidays approaching.

18 January 2009 - Peace Corps recieved my medical packet and have cleared me for dental!.... but there is a legal hold on my account @#@#

13 January 2009 - I recieved an email from a woman who asked me to fill out this long questionaire and write an essay about my incident a few years back at Florida/Georgia... oops! This is alright though my recruiter said this was just part of the process.

15 January 2009 - My PC Online toolkit shows that they recieved and cleared my physical clearance.

19 January 2009 - I fill out my legal stuff and mail it to the woman.

20 January 2009 - Legally cleared for PC service, that was quick. Just waiting to get this medical clearance... could be 4-6 weeks.

18 February 2009 - Legally cleared medical this morning, complete with no HOLDS!!! It only took 6 weeks of filling out the forms and 5 weeks of waiting for them to review. SO Excited! Thanks everyone for your support!

1 May 2009 - Called placement and they told me my file is complete and that they will look at it 3-5 months. More waiting! They also said the last day for my invitation for the November leave is October 1st.

2 August 2009 - I recieved an email from Peace Corps saying I have been nominated! Now to wait for the fedex envelope in the mail telling me the country and departure date! Finally after almost a year of PC application!