Let's begin...

Let me just justify this blog before I begin:

Typically, my journal is a working space for me to find the words that best articulate what exactly is going on in my head. For the most part, I consider that space a fairly sacred one, simply because I don’t have to account for potential rebuttals or confrontations that may arise from my commentary. With that in mind, I’ve started this blog with the intention of documenting particular experiences that seem noteworthy, and processing their implications at a later date.

 The pre-amble to the Peace Corps:

It’s really quite strange trying to explain to people my intentions or incentive for doing the Peace Corps. I have come across some that are clearly apathetic and others that are simply baffled by the notion of willingly going to a developing country to work for 2 years. I don’t know that I can specifically identify what it is that compelled me to go through this whole process. I began the application a little over a year ago and to jump through all the hoops and preliminary paper work followed by supplementary evaluations and interviews. This alone was a feat within itself. The more I researched and discovered the potential opportunities available within PC, I was even more convinced to do it.

The more that I find myself explaining my post-graduation plans to various people, I have finally revised and found the words that best explain my reasoning for doing this. In one regard I have discussed the notion of patriotism and how military service is currently the most readily evident sign of patriotism. I have explained Peace Corps to people as my interpretation of civil service. While my stance on military service and war and the like is unnecessary for my explanation, I see this kind of social work as my contribution towards developing and endorsing diplomatic means of communication.  

My other reasons for doing this include some mildly selfish ones including my desire to explore and travel. I am at a place in my life where I have finalized my undergraduate experience, but have yet to start another chapter in my life. I also have no debilitating monetary responsibilities and can essentially pick up and move at the drop of a hat. Emotionally,  well…had I elaborated on this in May of 2010 I would have told you I am in the most self motivated and inquisitive state I’ve ever been in in my life. Now I have found a kind of complacency in Memphis that will be hard to leave. I have moved home to Louisiana with my heart still in Tennessee. I am so grateful for the support system that I have between family and friends and I am processing home as a subtle transition that will make the distancing easier and slightly slowed, for which I am also appreciative.

My nomination was to work within Community Development doing work on HIV/AIDS in Central or South America. Since that nomination, I have been practicing patience and flexibility as they suggest. I worked throughout the Summer and Fall at Friends For Life in Memphis alongside one of the non-medical case managers. I had the opportunity of experiencing the programs used to document HIV/AIDS related cases and how that information is shared to form statistical information for the nation. Another aspect that I really appreciated was the community established within this line of work. It is a lifestyle prone to emotional and physical struggles, but the support group formed within this network is something that I would like to be able to incorporate in my Peace Corps endeavors.

As of today, January 10, 2011 I have been invited to work in HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention in a “community capacity building” position.  While the rhetoric of it seems fitting to my interests and pursuits, I don’t quite know what all this entails. I will receive the infamous invitation packet within the week and will know more when that arrives. I am so ready. I am so excited and thrilled despite all of the ambiguity. This is huge. This is what I want…and I keep in mind that this is the easy part.