To Love or Not To Love...when applying to the Peace Corps

So, about a month ago I gave you a quickie update. Well, I still don't know what the heck I'm doing with my life. After my status was put on hold...I didn't necessarily give UP, but I guess I just thought maybe it was a sign of some sort. Now, all I can think about is Peace Corps (just like before...) and to me, that is an even GREATER sign that this is what I'm meant to do.

The ONLY hesitation I have now stems from the fact that I am now in a relationship. All mushiness aside, I kinda KNEW this would happen. I mean, that's how life is...it throws you curveballs just to test you. For goodness sake, I was single for like 2+ years...dating aimlessly...bored with the whole dating scene...ready to meet my Peruvian (or Ecuadoran, or Dominican, or Costa Rican...etc.) husband through the PC...HAHAHA justttttttt kidding!!

Seriously though, the idea of finding a boyfriend was definitely not on my radar. So now that I have one, I'm left trying to figure out what the heck to do with him if I do get invited for a PC post...

Granted, I'm not even medically cleared yet. But I know that I will be...hopefully lol. Still, my availability to leave won't be until after October 10, 2010, since that's one of my best friend's wedding date and I'll be a blushing bride..smaid! :-)
Problem is that by that time, if we're together still, we'll have spent a whole year building something that I'll just have to kick to the curb! I mean I'd never expect him to try and maintain a long distance (cross the seas) relationship for two years and three frikkin months!

So out of all this rambling, my dilemma is this...is it better to end things while it's still early and save us both the heartache (even though I have no certainty that I'll even be chosen for PC?) orrrr, just suck it up, wait it out, and figure out how to cross that bridge when we get to it (even though it'll probably cause severe emotional distress? lol)

Answers? Ideas? Comments? Questions?

Long Overdue Update!

Hello friends...

So, what's going on in my life? Well, I decided a few months ago to put my application process on hold. I still want to do Peace Corps, but the medical costs were RISING, my flex spending account was depleted, and I kept getting signs that this wasn't the right time (for personal reasons). So, upon reflection, I have once again deferred my dream. I'm preparing now to take my GREs and apply to grad school for the fall. Maybe I should look into a joint program? I don't know...life is throwing me in all sorts of directions right now.

Thanks for the ongoing support though...I'll be in touch.

Helloooooo medical hold!

Yeah...so I have a medical hold. It's all because of the idiot-box doctor I saw at the VA hospital. **WARNING** Do NOT, I repeat, NOT let the doctor examining you check off ANY abnormality unless you 1. Know that you have the condition, or 2. You've gotten a second opinion and are willing to trust them both that you have said condition.

Otherwise...their random checks will leave you having to see an ENDOCRINOLOGIST (or some other fancy doctor) for NO REASON. Like me. Just what I needed...another month to be added to my wait for medical clearance.

Paciencia...argh

FINALLY! Some progress...

Woohoo! So...as some of you may know already, when you submit your medical packet it doesn't immediately start getting reviewed. Instead, from my understanding, we go into a queue, and the packets are reviewed in the order of departure date, followed by the date that they received it. I was informed that it could be some time before I would get cleared, because my nomination date isn't until February, and the summer is a busy time for the OMS because there are so many nominees for the summer and fall that they have to get cleared.

Well...finally my obsessive toolkit checking (at least twice a day LOL) produced a bite! I've got the coveted medical hold! Now, that may seem like a BAD thing, buttt, it's not! Everybody's toolkit says medical hold once your packet is actually in a reviewer's hands. At least now I know that I'm once step closer to being cleared, and maybe, if I'm lucky, my date will even be pushed up! (hey..a girl can dream...)

Dental Clearance!

Okayyy...so after waiting a little over TWO WEEKS for my dentist to fill out my dental paperwork, I shipped my x-rays etc. to PC Dental on the 9th, I didn't see the usual email update (though maybe that's just delayed), but I checked my toolkit and there it was..."Complete. There are no dental holds on your account at this time."

YAYYYYYY!! One hurdle behind me. Now, I just have to be patient and let them finish reviewing all of the medical packets for those lucky chaps destined to leave in September and October...

:-)

Floating Thoughts...

* Jeez...this waiting business sure BLOWS!

* What's with all these PCVs meeting locals and getting married in less than a year? I mean, REALLY? (MEANWHILE, watch me come back with an Aztec hubby...LOL)

* Now that I just received information that I may have to move out of my apartment in like a couple of months, or maybe even less time (this is tragic), I'm wondering if it even makes sense for me to find another setup like I have now...you know, with my roommate. Granted, my nomination is for 8 months from now, but if we're signing a 1-year lease, I don't want to leave her hanging! hmm...decisions...

* Grad school? Hmm...does it makes sense for me to apply & enroll in grad school for the fall semester? What if PC turns around and offers me the opportunity to leave early?? I'd be pissed...my other option is to start this online undergrad course...it's CUNY so it'll be like 500/class...two classes will enable my loans to be deferred. hmm...decisions...

* Love life...it's been kinda rocky lately (what else is new Shadé? ha!) I mean...on the one hand, maybe it's a blessing that my relationships keep coming to screeching halts seeing as how I am planning on jetting across the world in less than a year! (if all goes according to plan) Still! 8 months is a long ass time to try to avoid forming a connection with someone isn't it? I've told myself that I'm just going to go with the flow of things...but at this moment....there is NO flow LOL (oh well...more ME time )

Medical Packet MAILED!!!

So I know I'm like OVERLY excited about such a simple thing, but dropping that envelope into the mailbox felt so...EXHILARATING!

To answer the question from my last blog, I called OMS this afternoon and confirmed that I COULD send in my medical packet sans dental forms! I wish I had known, my packet's been done for more than a week now...almost TWO actually! No harm done though, I'm just excited to move towards the next step and I'm hoping for no stumbling blocks (no big ones at least!)

Oh...and big ups to Sara M. for the tip/comment...I didn't see it until just now, but I appreciate ALL help! Oh, and yes, we can be invited without dental clearance...so I guess my kooky old dentist has a LITTLE time after all...LOL