Life is Calling

In order to maintain motivation to live in one of the most desolate places in the world for two years, I have to remember my reasons for applying for the Peace Corps...

Last August, I was sitting around with some coworkers on an uneventful Saturday at Bel Pre, a TSI site where I worked on-call. We were having a conversation about how her boyfriend had joined the Peace Corps and how hard it was for her now that they were breaking up. She couldn't understand why he joined or even why he joined without telling her as they had been together for five years.

Of course I had empathy for her, she was devastated. But for the rest of afternoon, I couldn't help but think, "The Peace Corps, I wanted to do this in college. I've always wanted to do this. I can't believe I've forgotten about this opportunity for so long. " As soon she left for the day, I went to the website. It said, in bold letters, "Life is calling." I thought, "Hell yeah it is," and cried all the way home that night as I realized that this was certainly to become, "The toughest job [I'll] ever love." I knew, without much thought or further information, that this was the time to step onto the path that has been waiting for me for so long.

The next day was filled with goosebumps, a lump in my throat, watery eyes, short piercing breaths followed by deep sighs, and a sense of purpose realized. This was my opportunity to fulfill my dreams of speaking French, traveling, cultural immersion, living simply, providing health education, and, most of all, helping those in need through; this fulfills all of my dreams in one job. This is the gateway to a more rewarding career, financially beneficial in the long run. I wasn't ready three years ago when my friend Matt applied. Now, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain; now, the time was right.

That Tuesday, I called the local recruiting office for more information. After about 15 minutes, I began to complete the application. I had all 25 pages of that extremely comprehensive application complete within the next week and a half. Two weeks after that, I was interviewed and nominated to serve in West Africa, desitined to leave in late June. Now it's May, nine months later, and finally almost time to start living this dream...