INVITATION

So I got my medical clearance last week, and now I am getting an invitation. I was on a field trip with the Nursery School (a Sesame Street themed, Planetarium show) when I felt a vibrate in my pocket. At first I figured it was a text message, but it kept going past the usual three soft tones. I took a quick look at my phone and I recognized the 202 area code that I had become so accustomed to as a former DC resident. I knew it was the Peace Corps. I stepped out of line, looked at the head teacher and said "It's the Peace Corps, I'm gonna take this outside". So I pick it up (it was a nice day) and it's my Placement Officer. She mentioned the snafu that happened in with my nystagmus and that it was now okay and she wanted to ask me some questions about my file.

Her first question was about my interview. In my interview I mentioned my siblings experiences serving on LDS missions and how much a positive growth experience it was for them, and that I want to serve in the Peace Corps for similar reasons. So she wanted to clarify that I understood the Peace Corps' policy on proselytizing, despite me not being a member. I let her know that I understood and I wanted to do the Peace Corps so that I could focus on service.

The next thing she said was that I was highly qualified candidate as a secondary education teacher and she'd love to get me going towards the Peace Corps. She said that due to people delaying their applications they were wondering if I could leave a month earlier. As in April 26. Yes, that is only 6 weeks away... I told her I'd think about it and let her know by the end of the work day.

I called Cat on the way back from the field trip and asked her look up what country was leaving April 26 and meet us for lunch with the answer. Well Mum and I got to Fridays and waited for only a few seconds before I had to know, so I called Erin at work. Cat arrived at the same time as I called and she goes tauntingly exclaims "I know where Tom's going, I know where Tom's going". At about the same time I hear from Erin and Cat... Georgia.

I spend the whole lunch trying to decide... Armenia in late May, or Georgia in late April. When I got home I did some research, called Dave Lonardo, called Dad, read Wikipedia, CIA Factbook, and finally decided to go with Georgia. My main problem was feeling guilty about not being able to spend enough time with friends and family before leaving. But in the end I realized that Georgia will be a great experience, and when I COS I'll be out in time to travel and get a job at a school.

So in a day or two I should be getting an invitation package. Ready or not, here I coommeeee.