Jump In!

OK, I should probably stop thinking about Africa -- it's not a for sure kinda deal.

What the hell, life's short -- it's more fun to jump in!

I acquired a map of Africa from the web and used a virtual piece of yellow chalk (it's cheap, readily available, and never runs out) to color in my potential destinations (well, all except the Cape Verde islands because they're not shown on the map).

Click on the thumbnail below to see the full-size version:

What A List!

I have been doing some rudimentary research (it's always fun to use "rudimentary" in a sentence -- I should be in bed right now).

I have tried to make a list of all the African countries that meet the following criteria:

1. They are served by the Peace Corps.
2. French is not one of their official languages.

There is a chance that one of these places could be my new home for over two years:

• Botswana
• Cape Verde
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• The Gambia
• Uganda
• Zambia

This is definetly very thrilling!

4 Slots

Here’s the scoop.

I am being nominated for a gig in Africa that leaves on November 14th, 2005. The assignment is teaching schools and communities aspects of computer hardware and software. There are only four slots available and the position is open to candidates nationwide.

I have no idea where in Africa -- the only clue is this:

• It’s not a French speaking African country

I will find out next Monday afternoon (November 15th) if I have made the cut into one of the four slots!

A Tribute

I sold my TV today. It feels kinda weird not to have a TV.

Well, if you get technical, I still have an small black and white TV (the kind with knobs that turn) out in the garage; my computer monitor has a built-in TV tuner; and my oldest daughter has a TV in her bedroom.

Selling the TV was a big message to myself that I am serious about having fewer things. The TV wasn't hurting anything up in its nice stand. I could have kept it, until just before I left for the Peace Corps -- it wouldn't have gotten spoiled just sitting there. It was a cool TV, and I am a gadget boy, so it was no small thing for me to sell it.

In a strange way, I feel a little naked with out it.

As a tribute to my TV, I put a big, empty, glass blown head where my TV used to be.

In 2000, 98% of all US households had at least one TV. (source)

Time is a Changing

I’m at a movie theatre waiting to go to a movie – it starts in an hour. I’ve decided to sit around and watch people while trying to organize my thoughts by writing this post for my blog.

I am excited about the voice message my recruiter left for my on Friday. I now believe it’s for sure that I will be nominated, and it will probably happen very soon – one more hurdle about to be jumped.

As expected, jumping such a hurdle leads to joy and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. In the Peace Corps process, it also leads to new, sometimes unexpected feelings. Feelings caused by a realization of (and focus on) the next, new hurdle. This is even more extreme in the Peace Corps process, because all of the hurdles seem so very different!

I was surpised by a new feeling I am having now. November 14th, 2005 is a really looong way away. It’s over a year away… For months, I have been planning on leaving in October and that did not seem far away to me; why does November seem so far away right now?