2012 already, eh?

Wow have I been slacking! 2011 was an interesting year. Not the hottest health wise and thus lots of staying-in and in general a fairly mellow year. Highlights: The birth of my Godbaby Mason. It's so strange to think my best friend from Kindergarten is now a momma herself, but she is an amazing one and I feel so honored and grateful to be so connected to this little dude. Now to brush up on my Christianity learnings... (yea yea, I know not Catholic)

In the fall I FINALLY submitted my PC application! After starting the process three years prior, this felt like a huge accomplishment! Of course that was followed up with my interview and without regurgitating the drawn out details of budget and program cuts, I am still awaiting a nomination. Fingers crossed it will be in March when the next round of assignments are released! Let's hope this round includes business development (specifically NPO development) opportunities as that is what my recruiter wants to nominate me for. Once an assignment is available that is... News of the delay was quite a bummer, but this whole process is a giant waiting game; what is three more months? In the meantime PC requested I learn Spanish, so Rosetta Stone and city college here I come!

Another highlight: last year I got to see my sister three times! That is a pretty big deal for us... First was for wine, second a short but sweet sibling reunion, and lastly to run our second marathon together. All wonderful visits. She is my rock and so wish we lived closer. Someday.

I'm not one for resolutions, but hoping I am able to stay a bit more on top of this blog in the coming year. Till next time...

My Next Chapter

Remember apartment or house hunting? Those months you spent looking at several options: some great, some with potential, and some definitely falling short. And just when you're about to give up, you stumble into "The One." It may not be perfect, it may not have every feature you're looking for, but as you stand in the empty, echoing unit, if feels like home. It fits. You envision where your bed will go and how to arrange the sofa. You hear the music you will play during your housewarming and the laughs of your guests. You realize the challenges of not enough parking, lack of a fridge and loud neighbors, but you're willing to endure. This is your new home, your new sanctuary and where the next chapter of your life will take place.

Whenever someone asks me why I want to join the Peace Corps I always stumble through a response. Why is it so difficult for me to formulate into words? Even on the application, how do I explain this dream of mine in 500 compelling words or less? Every time I think of the Peace Corps, I smile. The mission, the people, the experience, it just fits. Although the actual Peace Corps experience is thus far foreign to me, the idea of it feels like home. I can see myself in that type of environment, stretching and testing my limits. Do I believe I can save an entire community? A country? The world? Definitely not. Am I scared? Hell yes. But this is where I see my next chapter. I want to venture to the opposite end of the world. I want to learn, teach, and share with another culture completely unlike my own. I want these challenges and I want to make an impact. Seemingly naive? Perhaps. But I'm stoked to be home again.

My Journey Continues Today...

The Journey: Becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer.

It's funny how life works out. I once dreamed of a life in film. I spent my middle school years watching every movie I could. I spent my high school years working on little projects and searching for the best film school for me. In college I made the most of my education and for the most part, I loved it. Onward to post grad and pursuing a career in the industry. Working full time at a small independent company, it took me two years to learn my most important lesson thus far: there is a huge difference between being able to swim with the sharks and wanting to.

So how did I get here? How did I go from "living the dream" of developing screenplays to saving lives and kicking butt? Well let me tell you...