Drum Roll Please...

And the winner is...

SOUTH AFRICA!!! Send me on my way.... I am off to South Africa (which I will affectionately refer to as SA here and there to save time and space) on January 28th. Actually, I leave for staging, which I am guessing will be in Philly, on that day; however, I probably won't leave for Africa until January 31. I got my medical clearance on Tuesday, September 11th and my invitation was sent out two days later.

I am obviously obsessed with looking up pictures, info, things to buy, etc. regarding SA. After turning in my application in January, I expected to find out where I was going by the end of the summer. In fact, I expected a lot of things from the Peace Corps. I had these dates in my head when things would be completed and grandiose ideas of where I would be going and what the process would be like. However, just the process of applying to serve has taught me an innumerable amount about the Peace Corps. I am glad that the dates I had set to find out where I was going were not the actual dates that came to fruition. I am excited that I have had the opportunity to marinate over this great opportunity. I am humbled by the fact that there are people in South Africa who I have been anxiously waiting to meet and praying about and who do not even know that I am coming yet. But most of all, I am thankful that I have received so much support from my family and friends during this process.

In my opinion, I believe the Peace Corps makes you wait for so long and jump through so hoops to test your flexibility and desire to join. They say only a third of people who apply actually end up getting on the plane....I can understand why. I am so excited to be moving to South Africa because though I may want to be the change I want to see in the world, I desire to see the change in myself just as much.

Now it is off to work on the no-fee passport application, South African visa application, aspiration statement, and resume before the next twelve days is up...ahh!

God Bless..