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Tomorrow I am going to submit my Peace Corps application. I started it over a year ago and I kept psyching myself out and putting it off for another day. The only thing I have left to do is finish up my essays, certify it, and click submit. Just one click is all it takes to change your life.

I spent the day on the phone with Sallie Mae, my student loan company. Boy was that frustrating. I just wanted to find out what I needed to do in order to defer my loans in the event that I get selected to serve in the corps. The first person I talked to told me that there was no way to defer them and that I should have my co-signer pay it for me while I was away. Seriously? Like I'm going to ask my Nana to pay my loans for me, sike. She has done so much for me already that I could never ask her to do that. So I let it go and decided to call again 7 hours later. The next person I talked to put me on hold for 15 min. but it seemed like forever. She informed me that I could file a military deferment. Point blank I told her that the Peace Corps was not a military organization but a government organization. She said that was fine and I just had to return the paper work. SWEET!

Once all that was sorted out, it became so much more real. I have had butterflies in my stomach all day long and I just can't shake the feeling. I'm very nervous. This is something that I have wanted for so long and I just want to make sure that it happens. Plus it is such a big change. I think the hardest part is going to be being away from my family. But I know that I am great at making friends in situations where I don't know anyone. Take my winter break trip to Costa Rica for example (Shout Out L.B.F.s) none of us really knew each other but we became pretty close in just two weeks. Because of this I feel that I will be able to build my own support system if I get selected.

There are a few things on my application that I am worried about... 1) I only speak English (besides the very miniscule amount of Spanish that I retained from high school). 2) I don't have any volunteer experience since I have been in college. But I am more than willing to learn a new language and between classes, commuting from MD to VA and working I literally didn't have time to volunteer. But I think that there are some strong points on my application as well. I had a teacher, one of my bosses and a family friend write recommendations for me. They all seemed to be behind me so I'm hoping that their recommendations were positive. I have great work experience and I feel the classes I have taken in school will help as well.

Once the application is submitted it's on the the interview...

Peace and Love