After a long day of classes yesterday I came home and checked my e-mail only to find further disappointment. I received a note from Placement Officer #2. I don't feel like paraphrasing so see below:
Dear Kirstin, I hope that you are well. I am writing to follow-up with you regarding our conversation late last week. At that time, I had informed you that there would be a delay in the processing of your application as we determined if the October program that [Placement Officer #1] spoke to you about was going to be a possibility. Due to staffing delays at Post, this program has been pushed back for departure in early December, meaning that you would be completing your service in February, 2011. Please let me know if you would be available for this program. Best Regards.
The thing is last week on the phone she said I might be leaving earlier than October, not later. I was concerned about trying to re-think my plans and now I don't know if it even matters. I really don't want to leave in Dec. That would mean at least 3 months of nothing to do, nowhere to live, no money to survive on. I suppose I could try to get a job but I don't really want to. It means interrupting my grad program and putting off graduation for another semester. I had planned to graduate Dec 2010 but if I do this, I wouldn't' be able to graduate until May 2011. I'm so frustrated with all these changes and it really makes me question why I want to even do Peace Corps. I'm also concerned that if I agree to leave later something else will happen. Who knows if this group will even leave in Dec if they're already being postponed. And through my obsessive online searching, I know that there are at least seven programs leaving for Africa in September, two of which Tulane MI students are going on so I know they have health volunteers. Whats wrong with me going on one of these? I just can't figure out why I need to wait so long!
I tried to call her back to discuss this only to find out from her voicemail that shes out until next Tuesday. More waiting and another weekend of anxiously thinking through all the uncertainties in my life.
In other news, Ashu found out that he did not receive a visa so can only legally work in the U.S. for another month and then has 60 days before he has to leave the country. This has come as a surprise since this is the first year that there was a lottery for his category of work visa for individuals with masters degrees. In the past, everyone that applied & was qualified received it. Its a scary realization that he has to leave but luckily he has an interview this week for a job with his company's Singapore office. Lets hope everything goes well!!
I also am thinking about employment though on a very different scale. I spoke with my friend Aaron a few weeks ago and he agreed to hire me to work during the Wisconsin State Fair. He coordinates the youth programs which 4-H falls under so I'll be helping with the sound board at the youth stage. This is where 4-H clubs perform and the clothing revue is. I'm excited to have a job for 2 weeks and to spend time at the fair and see many people from my 4-H past. I also was in contact with several people at the Washington Country Fair and I will be selling tickets there. Should be a good time! I figure it may be my last chance to attend both fairs for a long time or maybe ever so I want to enjoy them now!
Tonight and tomorrow I'm taking a RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) class offered here at Tulane Health Sciences Center. Its a female self-defense and empowerment class. I had signed up to participate last fall but it was cancelled when a hurricane was headed this way. Of course it never came anywhere close but I was disappointed to miss out on this opportunity. We'll see how it goes! Maybe I'll be able to release some of my current frustration and anger!
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