The question I keep getting is, "So, what's next?"
And the answer is "Anything and everything".
While Elly is nominating me, she is *guessing* that the best fit is Mauritania. And she is going to recommend the placement office go with that assignment. However, the placement office could decide to place me elsewhere. Even in a different program area entirely. Or a different continent entirely. And that is what they can decide AFTER I clear my medical/dental/eye exams. Which I need to call to schedule (once I get the paperwork), and hopefully get labwork back as soon as humanly possible so that I can fax it all to the placement office. At which point the placement office will formally invite me.
And, really, according to my research online....It sounds like most people get their invitation a full 6 months before departure. And I will have been nominated for a whole whopping 4 ish months before I depart.
So.
"Mauritania?", you ask?
Yes, I tried to play cool in my initial conversation with Elly. I pretended I knew it was a real country, and where it was. I'm not so sure she believed me.
It is in northwestern Africa, south of Morocco and north of Senegal. 5/6 of the country is Sahara Desert. It is *truly* one of the least developed countries in the world (according to just about every website I saw...CIA, State Dept, etc). It's full name is the "Islamic Republic of Mauritania". There is no diversity on this fact.
There is minimal HIV/AIDS in Mauritania. Starvation is not a large issue, disease and malnutrition is. Women vote and have formed their own political party. There is cell service.
It is not all sunshine and roses though (actually, a LOT of sand) ;)
It finally hit me last night.
It is highly likely that I won't see any of my family (or friends) for a full two years (actually 27 months). I think what really hurts is knowing that I have to say good-bye to everyone. If only my life in the U.S. could just fade away....I wouldn't miss it as readily. I would gradually realize that it was gone, that I hadn't seen familiar faces in months.
But it is worth the temporary loss.
I will be making a difference. I will be learning more about myself, the world, other cultures, agriculture... And I will be teaching strangers about myself, the world, other cultures, agriculture. I have felt as though I am treading water the last few years. And I am now able to change that.
And I have never been as excited as I was when Elly first called me with a potential nomination last wednesday. Ask Esther! I think she was worried I was going to hyperventilate.
So I know I am doing the right thing.
I took my time, though, as usual. I started my application September 2007!
It has been long-awaited. And now, I feel like June is coming much too quickly.
can I add this to my blog page?
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