MY INVITATION CAME TODAY! It was waiting for me when I got home from work and I ripped it open as fast as I could. I am completely ecstatic. I cried, and laughed, and jumped around. I'm so happy I can't even put it into words... however, this entire process has had me focused on South America. I speak Spanish and was told I'd most likely be placed there. My original nomination was for South America. I've done all my research on the climates and work programs and countries of South America.
As you can see... I'm going to Africa. I'm very much in shock. It's a good shock, and when you think of the Peace Corps I would definitely say the quintessential experience would be in Africa.. I just wasn't picturing me there at all. But it's typical Peace Corps fashion. Lets test Chelsea's patience and flexibility some more! Looks like I'm back at square one with research... not to mention I have a very short window of time before I leave. It's funny how life works out, after all these months of waiting, all of a sudden things seem to be moving too quickly.
Anyway, I'm off to read all I possibly can about Sierra Leone. I'm hoping it isn't really like Blood Diamond depicts it. This is the one time I hope Leonardo DiCaprio is wrong.
PS. Fellow nominees, follow me and leave a comment if you've received the same invitation! Lets be like the cool high school students that friend each other before they actually know each other just because they're going to the same school. And then we can awkwardly meet for the first time, all the while secretly already knowing everything about the other person. It's gonna be great, I can't wait.
Congrats on the new assignment! I think you'll like Africa. And may I say you got that invitation pretty quickly, I am jealous.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting on the UPS man.
Congrats Chelsea! That's going to be fantastic! Best of luck!! :)
ReplyDelete-Rob
Peace Corps is lucky to have you Chels! Will miss you (and worry about you), but happy you are living your dreams!!! Keep Shining! Judi :)
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsea, I recently got invited to Sierra Leone as well!! June can't get here fast enough. I've been religiously checking peacecorpsjournals.com reading blogs from current Salone volunteers and yours just showed up today. This goes without saying, but I'm so excited to go to Africa!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much everyone! And I'm so excited for Africa too, Erica! What were you invited to do?? Can't wait for staging to meet everybody :)
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsea (&Erica)! I'm headed to Sierra Leone with you guys too. Beyond excited! I am an education volunteer as well, but I'll be teaching English. Can't wait for June!
ReplyDeleteCat Hart
I'm education as well. Secondary science and math. I think our whole training group will be education, all english, math and science. I don't have any experience teaching in a classroom though so we'll see how it goes! Eek!
ReplyDeleteHey, that's cool that you speak Spanish! I do too! I was originally nominated for a teaching position in Eastern Europe, but ended up getting invited to Salone! Like you, I was really excited by the change in plans!
ReplyDeletete veré en junio entonces :)