Yoga for Centering

What does yoga mean to me? Balance. In the chaos of preparation with departure, yoga is keeping me grounded. I am able to stay present and focused, determined to make a mind, body and spirit connection. As this consistent routine continues, I hope to bring this integral part of my life with me to share abroad.

It's Official, I've Been Invited To Serve In......

MOROCCO!!!!!!! It's been well worth the long wait! I got the official invite at my door today. I am so elated and now my journey really begins. The project will most likely be in or near a rural area in Morocco in the mountain region. I will be involved in environmental education & community development with communities near national parks, reserves with ecological and biological importance. I feel like this is a good fit for me and am looking forward to an adventure! I have time to learn French before departure as I will also be learning the Moroccan dialect in country. There will be lots of celebrating to come!

It Sounds Promising

After a phone interview with a designated placement officer from the Washington office at Peace Corps headquarters yesterday, my file is now viewed as: "currently under consideration." I should know more after this week with a potential placement and depature date. Let's not celebrate just yet....

A Sad Day; But It's Not Over

I am saddened to announce that I was advised from the Placement Office today that the invitation deadline for the program I was originally nominated to recently passed and I wasn't issued an invitation departing September 2010. This waiting game is not uncommon and can happen for a number of reasons. As my application still remains in the final review process, where does this leave me after one year and a few months of waiting? Well, it leaves me with more waiting (perhaps another 5+ months into a second year), anticipation, un-groundedness and wonderment. I was told that I may qualify for some kind of alternate program other than the Business sector, perhaps the Health sector in a water sanitation project. I am in good spirits and I am simply not giving up my dream yet. Of course, I will continue to keep you posted on my journey. Thanks to everyone for their kind support and love during a difficult set back.

Pass Lake Ontario Canada

My dear friend Lisa, and I (along with her dog Shubert) spent a few days on Lake Superior near Pass Lake and Provincial Park outside Thunderbay, Ontario Canada. We hiked, talked, made smores, watched movies, laughed and got a lot of rest. Canada has a lot of beauty to offer with it's mystical forests and unique terrain. We spent a lot of time in a special little place on earth called Silver Islet roughly 20 minutes from our cabin. It is a small holistic sustainable community located off the grid, surrounded by Lake Superior and Provincial Park. This sweet place is quaint, quiet and is modest in it's resources. I hope to get back there again to see the Aurora Borealis. What a treat to experience this little treasure on earth.

Grasslands Camping

To pass this arduous time awaiting my potential departure and Peace Corps project, I have been camping, riding my bike, hiking, eating ice cream, creating with duct tape and working as well as traveling somewhat. The Colorado Grasslands are flat and located in Eastern Colorado. This year it was buggy and the park wasn't maintained as well as past years but as always, it was great to get away... This was the first time Ina; Kelly's dog could partake in the camping experience. It was a lot of fun.

Alien Abduction Road Trip

9 Days before Jamaica, Kelly and I traveled 3800 miles across the desert. It was amazing to say the least! Being in close quarters to anyone is difficult on it's own, but then you add a male. We did great and I can't exactly pin point the best part of the trip but here's what we saw: Roswell, N.M., Petrified Wood Forest, Carlsbad Carverns, Large Antennea Array, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater, A.Z., Death Valley, C.A., Area 51, Rachel N.V. and Vegas. The scenery and terrain was incredible as you can imagine. I can't report that we actually saw any unusual activity in the sky, but we did see amazing things. What a facinating place we live in!

Day 1: 800 miles, exotic birds and cuties for dinner, we're exhasted!Don't go through Artesia, it stinks there; petroleum!
Day 2: Explored Rosewell and Carlsbad. Lesson; don't wait too long to eat, it sucks!
Day 3: The usual for breakfast, egg mcmuffin with gas station coffee, yummy! Banana splits for dinner, yummy! The Antennea Array was fabulous and gigantic!
Day 4: Ducks flapping wings woke us up... Finally, my bowels decided to regulate. Windy days, will we make it to Death Valley tonight?
Day 5: We survived all the harsh desert elements. Expensive edibles in Death Valley, I feel small here. It's artsy, interesting and all encompasing....
Day 6: Morning boo-boos and mishaps but off to see more fabulousness. Scotty's Castle, rolling desert rocks and off to Rachel and Area 51.
Day 7: Family visitation a good one and eggplant parm. Trader Joe's for healhy eating at last! Bean soup uneating as evening mishaps and boo-boos re-occur, damn bungies (we didn't learn the first or second time)...
Day 8: Salina sucks and curses us with bad luck, but we muddle through and will never look back! Truck stop anyone??? It's been a great trip, my face hurts.