Monday, September 21, 2009
Note 4
I currently sit here listening to the rain falling softly outside my living room window. A couple minutes ago I called SATO travel and scheduled my flight from KC to Philly. Suddenly it all is so real and tangible. In a few short weeks on October the 20th I will be getting on a plane (at 7 am :P) and making a quick jaunt to Philly from which the next day I will be taking a much longer jaunt to Niamey. I have thus spent the last few minutes jumping around excited, contemplating my life, and facing every emotion I have in my box of fun. My journey thus far has been long, but I know it shall pale in comparison to what will come my way in 4 weeks.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Note 3
Wow, I have not even left yet and already I am forgetting to update this thing. My current mood is a little wonky! I just recieved an e-mail informing me I will leave for my staging in Philly on the 19th or 20th.. how funny is it that the 3 day difference actually makes me sad!? I'm super excited to get up and go! On the upside I will get to spent from the 14th-20th in KC with my mom, my nephews and Cole!
My family is throwing a going away party for me on the 10th of this month... just a get together eat and have fun day!
I have added the how to mail me info on the right side of the blog.. mail me pwease! and add comments on here as they make me feel happy.
I had a fun night last night. My sister, cole, our neighbors and my parents all got together and had dinner, wine and drinks. Well as we sat around outside under the stars talking over the fire I decided to go for a run to get rid of my hiccups. Long story short I was later in a tub of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and other smelly junk to get the skunk spray off!!!!!
Top 10 things I'm going to miss (in not particular order)
1. Cole and Jjinger. Cole has been a big big part of my life for the past 3.5+ years and although I am super excited for this trip I know that it is going to be hard not to be super sad all the time. Jjinger has been my fuzzy cuddle buddy since highschool and yeah.. I'm gonna miss her wet nose, doggy breath, and the warmth of her curled up beside me in bed.
2. A full kitchen. I am really interested to learn how to adapt and cook while in Niger. This being said I am going to miss the ability to reach into the cabinet and grab a random assortment of herbs and foodstuffs.. throw it together and make a multicourse meal. Now its me, some foodstuff in a bin (no fridge lol), and a little gas burner. Woot!
3. Green. The color green this year is holding on super late here in KS. Our front yard and trees are still emrald beauties. I remember from being in Botswana that the color green is not something one sees a lot of, therfore the next two years I feel will be rather greenless :(
4. Family and friends. I think this one is pretty self evident. I consider myself a pretty independant person, however I enjoy calling and talking with my parents or sister a lot and yeah... not going to be happening as often.
5. Icecream. Also self evident. I love me some icecream with lots of choclate syrup and nuts and cherries and... hmm I need to visit DQ a lot before I leave.
6. The news. I have a feeling that it will be quite interesting trying to catch up on whats going on all around the world when one lives in the bush.
7. A comfy mattress. I don't think pillowtop exists in Niger :P.
8. My nephews. I realize this might be odd that I put them seperate from family. But it really hits me that while I am away they will continue to grow and learn and I can't be there for all the fun moments. As I think about it there is another set of nephews and a niece that I've grown pretty fond of that I will miss dearly.
9. Going out. I am not a drunk (college weekends aside :P) but I love nothing more than sitting with friends at a bar or club and just enjoying the night life. Granted I know there will be times when I go to the city in Niger, but nothing compares to aggiville or downtown KC.
10. Coffee. Yes yes I know I will get coffee there (instant at least) but I loveeeeeee waking up to the smell of a whole pot of coffee and don't know how that will fit into my hut life.
There of course is much more that I will prob. miss and I know that when I am there this list will most likely change, this is where I sit right now :D.
That is where I sit right now!
My family is throwing a going away party for me on the 10th of this month... just a get together eat and have fun day!
I have added the how to mail me info on the right side of the blog.. mail me pwease! and add comments on here as they make me feel happy.
I had a fun night last night. My sister, cole, our neighbors and my parents all got together and had dinner, wine and drinks. Well as we sat around outside under the stars talking over the fire I decided to go for a run to get rid of my hiccups. Long story short I was later in a tub of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and other smelly junk to get the skunk spray off!!!!!
Top 10 things I'm going to miss (in not particular order)
1. Cole and Jjinger. Cole has been a big big part of my life for the past 3.5+ years and although I am super excited for this trip I know that it is going to be hard not to be super sad all the time. Jjinger has been my fuzzy cuddle buddy since highschool and yeah.. I'm gonna miss her wet nose, doggy breath, and the warmth of her curled up beside me in bed.
2. A full kitchen. I am really interested to learn how to adapt and cook while in Niger. This being said I am going to miss the ability to reach into the cabinet and grab a random assortment of herbs and foodstuffs.. throw it together and make a multicourse meal. Now its me, some foodstuff in a bin (no fridge lol), and a little gas burner. Woot!
3. Green. The color green this year is holding on super late here in KS. Our front yard and trees are still emrald beauties. I remember from being in Botswana that the color green is not something one sees a lot of, therfore the next two years I feel will be rather greenless :(
4. Family and friends. I think this one is pretty self evident. I consider myself a pretty independant person, however I enjoy calling and talking with my parents or sister a lot and yeah... not going to be happening as often.
5. Icecream. Also self evident. I love me some icecream with lots of choclate syrup and nuts and cherries and... hmm I need to visit DQ a lot before I leave.
6. The news. I have a feeling that it will be quite interesting trying to catch up on whats going on all around the world when one lives in the bush.
7. A comfy mattress. I don't think pillowtop exists in Niger :P.
8. My nephews. I realize this might be odd that I put them seperate from family. But it really hits me that while I am away they will continue to grow and learn and I can't be there for all the fun moments. As I think about it there is another set of nephews and a niece that I've grown pretty fond of that I will miss dearly.
9. Going out. I am not a drunk (college weekends aside :P) but I love nothing more than sitting with friends at a bar or club and just enjoying the night life. Granted I know there will be times when I go to the city in Niger, but nothing compares to aggiville or downtown KC.
10. Coffee. Yes yes I know I will get coffee there (instant at least) but I loveeeeeee waking up to the smell of a whole pot of coffee and don't know how that will fit into my hut life.
There of course is much more that I will prob. miss and I know that when I am there this list will most likely change, this is where I sit right now :D.
That is where I sit right now!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Note 2
So, I have met some of the wonderful people I will be staging with and we did an introduction thingy.. here is mine!
Wow! Haha the more I read the more excited I am for training with all of you. My name is Matt (haha tech. spelled Matthew but have been going by Matthieu since college).. the middle name thing is a Setswana word "Kagiso" which means peace.. as a side story a lady I worked with in Botswana gave me the name because I looked like a hippie and was always happy :D. I'm currently 22.I grew up in rural Kansas (graduated with like 60 kids) and actually lived in the same house same bedroom same everything for the first 18 years of my life. I was fortunate enough that my family traveled all over the US (including Alaska... freaking awesome place btw!) but I never left the country until College when I spent about 3 months living/traveling/working in Gaborone, Botswana. Aka this will only be my second trip abroad.
Oot and since everyone else mentioned it I am a Spiritual Agnostic (to me that basically means I believe there is a higher being(s), purpose(s), power(s), and/or meaning(s) to life, but I don’t feel I currently (or will ever) know what that is. Pretty much I live my life in accordance to the idea of treating everyone with respect and seeing the inherent good in all people.
I obtained a BS in Social Work from Kansas State this August (I am yet to take the test to get my license.. but will before we leave although it is kinda pointless right now!) and minored in Leadership Studies and Music .
The Peace Corps is a chance for me to spread my wings farther. It is something I often thought about growing up, but last summer in Botswana cemented the idea of wanting to live and work outside the US. Throughout college I worked/volunteered/annoyed the hell outta peeps doing HIV/AIDS prevention/awareness both at my college and through my local community and state. Recently I started to become interested in mental health as well after working two months at the state psych. Hospital. I do plan to return and obtain my MSW and eventually go clinical.
My application process was kind of fast it seems. I submitted my application in January of 2009 and at that time was told the earliest I would leave was the start of 2010. However, near the end of June I was nominated for a trip leaving for francophone Africa leaving mid September (I would be leaving right now lol). Exactly 6 weeks prior to mid September I received a call that 1)I was not going in September and 2)they would renominate me. I was really upset, however at the end of the phone call I was told I was officially invited and my packet would arrive in 7-10 days. Aside from the whole odd timelines thing it all went well.
My favorite things include: music (I randomly break out into song), reading, writing, traveling, games (I’m excited to learn local games!), talking with people, and a lot of the time just hanging out and getting to know others. (Best days of my life were spent in hostels in Zimbabwe and South Africa!) Kind of like Karista I love swimming (although I feel it may be a little harder to come by in Niger) and looove to cook (and eat ;)). I'm kind of looney and like living life and having fun as I do it.
I'll be doing Community Health Education. As I touched on earlier I have worked extensively doing HIV/AIDS awareness and some Hep. Awareness, but feel the dynamic of a diff. culture will be challenging. I also have worked with feeding projects and think the smiles of children are infectious! I recently got recertified in CPR and first aid this summer and my HIV/AIDS education certification is still going strong! Every day brings a new biggest fear for me.
Somedays I am scared I’ll get sick and be sent home, some days I worry about the language, some days I even worry that the PC made some kind of mistake and I am not going to be strong enough. But then the days come when I go “Holy&%^ I’m going back to Africa and this is going to be amazing!.”
I’m gonna miss a lot. But mostly I think Cole and Jjinger are going to be my big heartbreaks. I’m leaving my partner of 3+ years right after we both completed college when we had planned to start our lives together. It’s going to be trying but we both feel what ever happens will be for the best. Jjinger is my Jack Russell I have had since high school. She’s pretty much a child to me and I know it will be hard having her soo far away for so long.
I can't wait to meet you all and can't believe its 5 weeks away!
Wow! Haha the more I read the more excited I am for training with all of you. My name is Matt (haha tech. spelled Matthew but have been going by Matthieu since college).. the middle name thing is a Setswana word "Kagiso" which means peace.. as a side story a lady I worked with in Botswana gave me the name because I looked like a hippie and was always happy :D. I'm currently 22.I grew up in rural Kansas (graduated with like 60 kids) and actually lived in the same house same bedroom same everything for the first 18 years of my life. I was fortunate enough that my family traveled all over the US (including Alaska... freaking awesome place btw!) but I never left the country until College when I spent about 3 months living/traveling/working in Gaborone, Botswana. Aka this will only be my second trip abroad.
Oot and since everyone else mentioned it I am a Spiritual Agnostic (to me that basically means I believe there is a higher being(s), purpose(s), power(s), and/or meaning(s) to life, but I don’t feel I currently (or will ever) know what that is. Pretty much I live my life in accordance to the idea of treating everyone with respect and seeing the inherent good in all people.
I obtained a BS in Social Work from Kansas State this August (I am yet to take the test to get my license.. but will before we leave although it is kinda pointless right now!) and minored in Leadership Studies and Music .
The Peace Corps is a chance for me to spread my wings farther. It is something I often thought about growing up, but last summer in Botswana cemented the idea of wanting to live and work outside the US. Throughout college I worked/volunteered/annoyed the hell outta peeps doing HIV/AIDS prevention/awareness both at my college and through my local community and state. Recently I started to become interested in mental health as well after working two months at the state psych. Hospital. I do plan to return and obtain my MSW and eventually go clinical.
My application process was kind of fast it seems. I submitted my application in January of 2009 and at that time was told the earliest I would leave was the start of 2010. However, near the end of June I was nominated for a trip leaving for francophone Africa leaving mid September (I would be leaving right now lol). Exactly 6 weeks prior to mid September I received a call that 1)I was not going in September and 2)they would renominate me. I was really upset, however at the end of the phone call I was told I was officially invited and my packet would arrive in 7-10 days. Aside from the whole odd timelines thing it all went well.
My favorite things include: music (I randomly break out into song), reading, writing, traveling, games (I’m excited to learn local games!), talking with people, and a lot of the time just hanging out and getting to know others. (Best days of my life were spent in hostels in Zimbabwe and South Africa!) Kind of like Karista I love swimming (although I feel it may be a little harder to come by in Niger) and looove to cook (and eat ;)). I'm kind of looney and like living life and having fun as I do it.
I'll be doing Community Health Education. As I touched on earlier I have worked extensively doing HIV/AIDS awareness and some Hep. Awareness, but feel the dynamic of a diff. culture will be challenging. I also have worked with feeding projects and think the smiles of children are infectious! I recently got recertified in CPR and first aid this summer and my HIV/AIDS education certification is still going strong! Every day brings a new biggest fear for me.
Somedays I am scared I’ll get sick and be sent home, some days I worry about the language, some days I even worry that the PC made some kind of mistake and I am not going to be strong enough. But then the days come when I go “Holy&%^ I’m going back to Africa and this is going to be amazing!.”
I’m gonna miss a lot. But mostly I think Cole and Jjinger are going to be my big heartbreaks. I’m leaving my partner of 3+ years right after we both completed college when we had planned to start our lives together. It’s going to be trying but we both feel what ever happens will be for the best. Jjinger is my Jack Russell I have had since high school. She’s pretty much a child to me and I know it will be hard having her soo far away for so long.
I can't wait to meet you all and can't believe its 5 weeks away!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Note 1
Well here goes nothing, my first post on the blog that will chronicle my life for the next 2+ years. Looking at some of my fellow invitees blogs they have been at this for awhile and chronicled their application process. I was not that organized and apologize as I know the time line of how it all played out would be helpful to future applicants. So I shall write a brief paragraph telling how it all played out!!
The summer of 2008 (from the end of May till the start of August) I lived at the University of Botswana and worked at a feeding project and an education centre in Gaborone. This was a service learning trip through the civic leadership department of my college. Jokingly I refered to this as my Peace Corps light trip." I had for years considered doing Peace Corps but had always talked myself out of it. That trip gave me new insight into myself and what I wanted to accomplish in my life. I returned home in August and although I missed the continent dearly Peace Corps was not on my mind. ( The blog from that summer can be seen at http://botswanabound.weebly.com/matts-log.html).
I began thinking about Peace Corps again, spoke with a recruiter, and in Janurary of 2009 I had an application submitted. She seemed posotive about my HIV education experince and my volunteer work, but she reminded me it was highly highly competitive. Soon the moment came (after much much paperwork) where I had a two hour web interview with my recruiter. She mentioned she wanted to nominate me but I wouldn't be leaving till early 2010 for a French speaking African country. I was stoked! She informed me that she would not be able to officially nominate me for the trip she had in mind until the start of May.
Near the end of April I missed a call from my recruiter.. I was nervous... why was she calling so early! The next morning the moment the office in Dallas was open I called as I walked to class (I remember it had been raining but the sun was out so it was a nice cool morning). My fingers were trembling! She told me a handful of spots had opened up and she wanted to nominate me for French speaking Africa leaving in September!! I was excited, scared... everything! I called my partner Cole, my family, my friends, and everyone else that was in my phonebook.
I then went through all the medical, eye, dental, legal etc etc etc... piles of paperwork. I won't lie, there were times when I wondered if it was all worth it! However, I kept my head up and kept working through it all.
Time whittled away... I cleared everything.. dotted each i and crossed each t.... news never came. I watched as mid July went by. I became worried and started sending e-mails (which in turn directed me to other e-mails) in time I was told they would tell me at a minimum of 6 weeks prior to departure if I was officially invited. Time wore on.. and on. Finally I got an e-mail:
The summer of 2008 (from the end of May till the start of August) I lived at the University of Botswana and worked at a feeding project and an education centre in Gaborone. This was a service learning trip through the civic leadership department of my college. Jokingly I refered to this as my Peace Corps light trip." I had for years considered doing Peace Corps but had always talked myself out of it. That trip gave me new insight into myself and what I wanted to accomplish in my life. I returned home in August and although I missed the continent dearly Peace Corps was not on my mind. ( The blog from that summer can be seen at http://botswanabound.weebly.com/matts-log.html).
I began thinking about Peace Corps again, spoke with a recruiter, and in Janurary of 2009 I had an application submitted. She seemed posotive about my HIV education experince and my volunteer work, but she reminded me it was highly highly competitive. Soon the moment came (after much much paperwork) where I had a two hour web interview with my recruiter. She mentioned she wanted to nominate me but I wouldn't be leaving till early 2010 for a French speaking African country. I was stoked! She informed me that she would not be able to officially nominate me for the trip she had in mind until the start of May.
Near the end of April I missed a call from my recruiter.. I was nervous... why was she calling so early! The next morning the moment the office in Dallas was open I called as I walked to class (I remember it had been raining but the sun was out so it was a nice cool morning). My fingers were trembling! She told me a handful of spots had opened up and she wanted to nominate me for French speaking Africa leaving in September!! I was excited, scared... everything! I called my partner Cole, my family, my friends, and everyone else that was in my phonebook.
I then went through all the medical, eye, dental, legal etc etc etc... piles of paperwork. I won't lie, there were times when I wondered if it was all worth it! However, I kept my head up and kept working through it all.
Time whittled away... I cleared everything.. dotted each i and crossed each t.... news never came. I watched as mid July went by. I became worried and started sending e-mails (which in turn directed me to other e-mails) in time I was told they would tell me at a minimum of 6 weeks prior to departure if I was officially invited. Time wore on.. and on. Finally I got an e-mail:
Hello Matthew,
My name is ______________, I am your Placement Officer at Peace Corps. I am currently considering your application for placement. I would like to arrange a 30-minute phone interview with you to complete the final evaluation of your application. Please let me know a day and time, beginning Thursday, August 12th when you would be available for a phone interview and the best number at which to reach you. I am available Monday through Friday between 9:30am to 5:30pm EST.
Thank you,
I was again excited.. scared.. everything. (plus confused... the 12th was a Wednesday). The interviewed occurred and the first thing I was told was that I would not be leaving in Sept. and would be renominated for another trip. I was pretty much heartbroken.... buuuuut!!!! I then was told I was nominated and invited to leave mid October! My packet was to be in the mail and arrive within the next 7-10 business days.
I knew it would be hard times.. then it occurred! On the 17th of August I received my invitation packet. I accepted on the 20th and have since completed more paperwork and began to get prepared.
Yeah that is what I have thus far... I'm prepping... working at my old high school.. and trying to network with people would will be staging with me!
Here we go!
I was again excited.. scared.. everything. (plus confused... the 12th was a Wednesday). The interviewed occurred and the first thing I was told was that I would not be leaving in Sept. and would be renominated for another trip. I was pretty much heartbroken.... buuuuut!!!! I then was told I was nominated and invited to leave mid October! My packet was to be in the mail and arrive within the next 7-10 business days.
I knew it would be hard times.. then it occurred! On the 17th of August I received my invitation packet. I accepted on the 20th and have since completed more paperwork and began to get prepared.
Yeah that is what I have thus far... I'm prepping... working at my old high school.. and trying to network with people would will be staging with me!
Here we go!
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