To: Any Staderic

Who knew that obtaining old medical records was so difficult? I figured since I've been in DC for over 5 years now it's about time I get my medical records from Wooster and find a doctor here. Good timing too considering I have at least 10 pages of paperwork to complete for PC, along with countless lab tests. Ick. I was shocked when the Wooster clinic said all it took was one little piece of paper and I'd have my records in my hands within 5 to 7 business days. Yeah, I should have known better. A mysterious envelope from Georgia ended up on my desk today addressed to "Any Staderic". I guess that's the closest thing to "Amy Studenic" they could do (and a shout out to our receptionist for deciphering the odd name). However, upon further examination I discovered that the records they had sent weren't even close to what I had requested, but were from a couple of random visits I had early on in college. Boop. But honestly, had I actually convinced myself it would be that easy? Hmm, I wonder if this is just a taste of the confusion to come.

Any Staderic...signing off.

Are you a vegetarian?

Last words I expected, but the best words I heard all week: "Well, let's get you nominated."

So the interview consisted of: turning my fingers bright pink from the fingerprint ink; 40 minutes of paperwork; being asked at least 3 times if I was a vegetarian; having a philosophical debate about how odd the answer "not currently" is to the question "are you romantically involved with anyone"; once again detailing my volunteer, professional and leadership experience from every year of my life; explaining how I would deal with loneliness, boredom, frustration, anxiousness, stress, awkwardness and pretty much any other emotion you can feel as a human; and grinning like an idiot when I said I wouldn't mind living in a mud hut without electricity or running water for 2 years.

But at the end of it all came the magic word: nomination.

So as of now I've been nominated to work in Community Development with a focus in HIV/AIDS, in Africa, departing January 2009. For those of you who have been with me during this whole process you know that I couldn't ask for a better nomination. Of course, a lot could happen between now and January; who knows, by then I might be doing sanitation and hygiene work in Latin America. But everyone keep your fingers crossed that not much will change.

Next step: medical clearance....I know I'm very much looking forward to all of the vials of blood they'll be taking. Eeek!

Charlotte's subtle sign.

On Saturday, I came home to a surprise. Charlotte, my roommate's dog, had decided she was bored and thought it was a great idea to tear up my book "So You Wanna Join the Peace Corps." She only destroyed the table of contents and appendix, so I figured I could salvage the rest of the book. I was wrong. Lucy called tonight saying "I owe you a new Peace Corps book." She'd gone to town on it. From pre-application jitters to what you do when you've returned, it was torn into puzzle size pieces on the living room floor.

Of course everyone is in agreement when they say, "See, she doesn't want you to go either." I can't help but agree.

My interview is on Wednesday; I wonder if this would be a great anecdote to tell my recruiter....