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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Cel - e - bration time, c'mon!

Oh, YEAH!


BBP on my doorstep and only two days after I was told it would be put in the mail. *UBFL*!


COUNTRY: MACEDONIA
PROGRAM: Community and Organizational Development
JOB TITLE: Youth Development Volunteer
DEPARTING: September 9, 2011
PRE-TRAINING: September 11th - November 24th, 2011
DATES OF SERVICE: September 11th, 2011 - November 23rd, 2013
("Dates subject to change")

Now, I have a sense of how the dog felt when he finally caught the car (!).

Well, unlike that dog, I have seven days to decide what I really want to do.

So, after 344 days filled with RAS, anxiety, RAS, anxiety, IAA, anxiety, IAA, (and, did I mention anxiety?) imagining (?hoping) for a few other countries of service, I no longer have RAS or IAA.
However, CAS (Commitment Apprehension Syndrome) has hit like a truck.
I have seven days to resolve this and resolve it I will before seven days have passed.

(Say . . . is that BBP Carolina Blue? No, not really, but in the photo it does seem that way)
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16 comments:

  1. JenApril 6, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Congratulations Lew! Are you excited? Macedonia! What a beautiful culture! I know we're all anxious to know how you resolve your CAS.

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  2. Rachel FApril 6, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Congratulations!!

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  3. ashleyApril 6, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    With how well you've handled all the craziness these past many(!) months, I think you'll end up loving it, even if it isn't your optimum placement. I know right up until I actually had the BBP in hand, I was hoping for a different country, but I knew I would accept no matter which country I was invited to because my preconceptions are probably completely off. You'll be an asset to Macedonia, I'm sure of it.

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  4. UnknownApril 6, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Congrats on finally getting your invitation. Good luck in that region. Macedonia is just a stone's throw away from Bulgaria, where I served.

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  5. Karen's PlanetApril 7, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Congrats! I remember getting my package and feeling the same way. There's something to be said about reality like, "what have I done!". You are going to love your life changing journey!

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  6. JessicaApril 7, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    CONGRATS LEW!!! You will do great!!

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  7. JaneApril 7, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Hi, Congrats! I'm a current Macedonia PCV (Mak14 TEFL living in Gostivar), and have been here since Sept 2009. Let me know if you have any questions or want to get in contact with any currently serving volunteers to help you make your decision, good luck!

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  8. kateApril 7, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS! Finally!

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  9. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    CONGRATS!! That's great!! I'm so happy for you! Are you going to sign up to do the world wide school correspondence program? Have you bought the lonely planet guidebook to Macedonia? is there anything interesting tourist-wise to see there? You're going to be a great PC volunteer!!

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  10. JennApril 8, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Congrats on the invitation!

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  11. PaLewApril 11, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Y'all are so kind!
    We are all on a similar journey, while taking different paths. It is wonderful being able to share the experiences, for that is where the true joy of life comes from; not in reaching the end of the journey.
    No one travels a straight path and perhaps ours will cross one day.
    Keep the communication flowing so that we may all continue to share the joy and continue to learn and develop as individuals.
    Continued best wishes to each of you and to all others engaged in this journey.

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  12. SerahApril 13, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! What a wait and what a great sounding assignment! I wish you all the best in your travels and service and am so glad that you stuck with it so patiently!

    Serah

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  13. UnknownApril 22, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you! now you will officially be in the phase of preparation madeness!

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  14. TracyMay 4, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Congrats, Lew! Just saw this (finally) and I'm so happy for you. Best of luck as you prepare to begin your service! Hugs from Botswana.

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  15. PaLewMay 4, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Serah & Jeanne - - - Thanks for the Congratulations and well wishes.

    Tracy - - - Likewise, thanks for the congrats.
    I lost track of your blog once you left the States and took up residence in Botswana. I hope that you are having a successful time with training. How goes it SWOS? If you don't mind, I'd appreciate having an e-mail addy for you. If you don't want to post it here, send it to my e-mail (lewDOThemmerATgmailDOTcom).
    Best wishes in Botswana!

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  16. SVMay 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Congrats Lew!!! I know I am a month late but my PCJ browsing time as definitely declined. I was just wondering about you today. I am glad you're mind can finally be at ease. I know it's been a long process.

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