On a day when the nation is thinking about the events from Sept. 11, 2001 and the recent disaster from the hurricane Katrina, the most frequent question/joke I get when I tell people I am joining the Peace Corps is that I will likely be sent there to help with the clean up. While it is definitely something I would like to do, my anticipated leave date is not until February and I doubt the place where I'm starting work soon would really like me to take off on short notice.
As for where I am on my preparations, last week was a busy one with a couple trips to the doctors office, busy working on stories and telling people my last full day of work is Monday, although it is looking like I may have to get some stuff done during the day Tuesday as well. The doctor's office kept me busy and turned my left arm into Swiss cheese. Last Tuesday I had a "TB Test" and the description wasn't too pretty, getting something or another injected just under my skin leaving a little bubble. Not an extremely pleasant experience and if I react, the whole arm turning inflamed and hurting, it would be six months worth of treatment. Fortunately that didn't happen and all I have is a fading sharpie circle on my forearm where I was stuck.
On deck for this week is my eye and dental exam. After years of denying I need eyeglasses I have finally woken up to the fact that I can't see as well as I used to and should probably get glasses for my own and everybody else's safety. So that will be the expensive and probably safety oriented news for the week. Still waiting on the confirmation for a place I put in an application to live, I'm crossing my fingers I'll hear back on that Monday, otherwise it'll be a scramble to find some other place to live and a rather large surprise to me.
Just for the sake of a quick reference and a frequently asked question forum, here is a selection of the top ones I answer. If you have other, shoot me an email or leave a comment question.
Top Questions asked me:
When do I leave: The earliest departure date given to me is sometime in February, potentially later depending on circumstances and my medical information.

Where will I be going: Eastern Europe, some of the counties mentioned to me included Romania, Armenia, Bulgaria and Moldavia. There are also other counties listed on the Peace Corps website so I may go to one of those as well. At the same time, maybe they will change their mind and send me somewhere completely else. I won't know for sure until I receive an invitation.

Will they send me to New Orleans: No

Why: Peace Corps has been something I have debated doing for a long time. It was just this year that I finally decided to actually turn in an application. The only explanation I have is that God didn't think I was ready yet and wanted me to wait until now. He knows best so who am I to argue. I have worked as a journalist for over a year now and love being involved in the affairs and helping to tell peoples' stories. Yet at the same time I have felt at times that my hands have been tied to do more. Hopefully this will allow me to truly see and affect some changes in at least one person's life besides my own. There are also selfish reasons too, I'll admit. Coming back from Peace Corps will give me some valuable skills that will hopefully allow me to pursue a career I can love.

Hope that helps sort out at least some of the reasons. Thanks for dropping by and just keep me in all of your prayers, I am going to need it. And thank you before hand for all of them.

On a last personal note. Rest in peace Ed, he proofed the paper at the News Guard and passed away late last week. He will be missed and I will always think twice before typing a "that." He was real picky about eliminating the word when it was unnecessary and tightened up my writing with that simple act.