Blog 2.0

So, here we are again with this whole blog thing! The last time I tried this out, I was living in Murcia and enjoying all Spain had to offer. Well, it’s been a while since I’ve returned from my study abroad adventure. Since then, I’ve finished college, landed a grownup job, and settled into my own place in Downtown Raleigh. I can’t really complain about the past two years. I have really enjoyed meeting some great friends at work, learning some new skills in a corporate environment, and using a bit of my paycheck for fun trips and concerts. Basically, I've been living the young adult life I used to imagine for my early-twenties self. 

Anyways, about a year ago, I began a process that I kind of put off for a couple years: I started my application to the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps has been something that I have always wanted to do, but it is a huge commitment. To start, there is the 27-month volunteer service, oftentimes under what the US government deems “hardship”. It’s a pretty big life decision to decide you can leave everything stateside and take the plunge into a completely different country/culture/language/lifestyle/you-name-it, and I wanted to make sure I was completely self-sufficient and ready before I applied. So last year, when I found myself hitting the peacecorps.gov website 5+ times per week, I decided that if I didn’t make a go for it now, I may never have the opportunity again. 

At any rate, after many essays, a few recommendations, a three-hour interview, some phone calls to DC, one SBI fingerprinting, a full NSA background check, three trips to my physician, two trips to my dentist, a trip to the Wake County Health Department, and hours spent uploading forms to my online “portal”, I am ready to join the Peace Corps. They offered me a few choices at the time of my nomination, but I ultimately chose to volunteer in Belize, working on a Rural Family Healthcare Project. My goals will be to implement public health initiatives that will help improve maternal and neonatal health as well as educate about the spread of communicable diseases. 

Really, I have no idea what to expect. (So, if everyone could quit asking a million questions, that would be great…just kidding!) I am just going into this experience with an open mind. My idea for this blog is to write experiences as well as reflections. Prepare for this to get a little more personal and emotional than my last blog. Sorry in advance!

Love always, 

Jess