Bad Day

As I start to get over the initial shock and disappointment that I will not be going to Lesotho, I am entering into the shock of "what the heck am I going to do for the next 4 months?". I essentially quit my job 2 months ago, and my information is already gone from the school district system, so basically I have to start over at ground zero. I tried that today, and started filling out the teaching application...

I got to the section about my certification, and I busted out crying, b/c my certification information is all filed away and packed up, beneath a stack of more boxes....I didn't think I was going to need to get to it for at least 2 more years....

I finally looked up my certification information online....then I moved to the next section....detailed descriptions of intern placements/student teaching....really? OMG I have to fill this all out again!?!?!

The other sections went on to Teaching Jobs, References, Recommendations, etc.....so yeah, I was so frustrated and stressed that I just quit filling it out and gave up for the day.

If I had not planned on leaving in November and had not given up my job, I would be in there teaching right now. I could have taught until January, and then taken a short break before my departure in February. But instead, I am sitting here filling out lengthy applications like I was back in grad. school and looking for my first teaching job. This sucks!

Re-invited

After 6 calls (over 2 hours) this morning, I did finally speak to a placement officer. He was very nice and friendly and trying to do his best to take care of all of us displaced Lesotho people. He went over my information and said he would like to put me in a program departing Mid-February 2011 for a Sub Saharan African country. The program is called "Nonformal Primary Education Training" and should be similar to what I was going to do in Lesotho. He said my invite should be sent out today and they will expedite it so it should be here by Friday. From what I can tell, it will probably be one of two countries, Namibia or Zambia. I have a slight preference for Zambia, but am not going to get my hopes up.

I'm glad I have this settled and have another invitation on the way. Although, it doesn't really make me feel any better about Lesotho being canceled. Now I have to figure out what to do for the next 4 months. I've been looking to see if there are any temporary teaching positions open and sent a few e-mails already to look into that.

Lesotho Canceled. Dreams Smashed.

Worst day ever. Just got the call about an hour ago, with the
"Unfortunate"News: The November Lesotho program is CANCELED!
Reason: Conducting a Reassessment of the Country and it's Safety/Security.
My Reaction: CRY CRY CRY CRY CRY

I can't believe this happened NOW, 20 days before departure! How can they do this so close to us leaving! Peace Corps, I want you to know that I, along with all the others in our group, am absolutely and totally shocked and crushed!

I don't feel up to going into much more detail right now, but I will try to update later tonight or tomorrow. I am supposed to call a placement officer in the morning to discuss my next steps and options...

Vacations All Around

I haven't really updated much in the past month, as I was waiting for my staging info. and I was pretty much busy vacationing all around :-)

I went to Louisiana and spent 11 days with my sister and her family. I had lots of fun hanging out with her and all her boys! We got to spend a couple days at a lakehouse, take Nehemiah (my nephew) to a VeggieTales concert, go to a ULM football game, redecorate her house, and just spend time with all her boys (she works as a houseparent at a children's home... kinda similar to foster care). Thanks Stephanie and Joseph for having me there!

After I got back from LA, me and my mom went on a weekend beach trip with our neighbors, Greg and Michele, and one other couple. We had an awesome little 3 bedroom condo thing rented on the water. Got to spend 3 days laying on the beach and at the pool, went on a couple short boat rides, saw a dolphin up close, saw a just-hatched baby sea turtle, played cards, and had lots of time to practice my Sesotho! It was a great trip!

This Wednesday, I am going to head up to Gainesville for the last time & visit with Chad, Wendy, Aiden/Kirk, Amy, Mrs. Coffey's class, and whoever else I can get together with. I plan on this being my last vacation/trip....then I will spend my final 3 weeks at home preparing for Lesotho!

Staging & Flight Reservations!

Just got my staging information by e-mail this morning, and then called SATO travel and booked my flight to Philadelphia. So here's a quick version of the details:

Flight from Tampa to Philadelphia:
Monday, November 1, 2010
Depart- 7:55am
Arrive- 10:23am

Staging in Philadelphia:
Monday, November 1, 2010
12:30pm- Check in at Hotel & Peace Corps Trainee Registration
2:00-4:30pm- Staging Session
4:45-7:00pm- Staging Session

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
2:00am- Check out of Hotel
2:30am- Bus Ride to New York JFK Airport

Flights to Africa:
Tuesday, November 2- Wednesday, November 3
Flight from New York JFK to Johannesburg, South Africa- 15.5 hours
Flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to Maseru, Lesotho- 1 hour