Chicken Pox Dilemma

As I have said on my timeline my Varicella titer came back "Equivocal" meaning I'm neither positive or negative for chicken pox antibodies. This is just a bit annoying that they have this category, but I understand. After a flurry of e-mails to the pre service nurses I was able to determine that if my doctor states I have had the disease before (Yay chicken pox parties*) and I get a booster shot I will be fine.

The pre service nurses must absolutely hate me by now. Over the past 14 days I have sent and received a total of 16 e-mails with various (and repetitive I'm sure) questions about clarification on every minutiae detail. To their credit they are always very helpful and have great answers.

For anyone going though the peace corps application process I have a few words of wisdom:

1. If you think its easy, think again.
2. Each step from the initial application to the medical (and I'm sure right up to completion of service) gets more and more difficult. That said the rewards are also important to note. I know more about my medical status than I think I ever would have (though it has cost me about 2 quarts of blood, and 60 hours of my life. . . I'm not even kidding).
3. I think these steps are here for more than one reason. If you really want to be part of the Peace Corps you will find a way to complete this time/money/bodily fluid consuming process, if not...well it's probably good you stopped here.
4. While you are going through getting your exams do not, I repeat, do not be afraid to ask the nurses questions. They are there to help you through this and its better to catch mistakes now than after you mail out your packet. You already have to wait, no one wants to wait even longer.
5. Finally, while I filled out my initial application, everything, and I mean everything, I checked 'yes' for, they sent me additional forms to fill out to explain. And no, they don't reimburse for these extra services. That said, this accurate information is essential. They need this information for reference should anything go wrong overseas. Just be honest and try to prepare yourself and your doctors for the eventual incoming forms.

I'm excited and anxious for the stages to come. They wont even look at my legal status until my medical clears which wont be for 1-6 months after they receive my complete medical packet. Remember not only is patience a virtue, its a volunteers pre-requisite. 

*I in no way shape or form advocate chicken pox parties in today's day and age. They are a very dangerous alternative when vaccines are available. Vaccines are there for a reason and save lives. 

The Beginning . . . kinda

I actually started by application process into the Peace Corps over two months ago, but I finally found some time between studying for finals, applying for the Peace Corps (and other temporary jobs to hold me over), and up-keeping something of a social life in order to begin a blog about my experiences with the application process and, hopefully, an invitation to serve overseas. But lets not get ahead of ourselves.

As I stand now I have already been nominated for an environmental program in Sub-Saharan Africa and began the medical application process which is way more in depth than I expected. (if you want to catch up on what has happened up till now check my timeline on the 'pages' in the box to the right). Currently I have a few concerns which, no matter how much I search, I can't find direct answers for. These are as follows:

1. I am underweight according to Peace Corps BMI requirements. A doctor can sign off on this after some lab work is done, but I'm going to try to gain weight in the meantime to be a bit more preventative just in case.
2. I have a fixed lower retainer which the Peace Corps seems to be a bit vague about. I can have it removed, but I just would like to know one way or the other. 
3. This is expensive for a college student! Even with some reimbursement I'm still gonna be out of pocket a couple of hundred of bucks, but I guess that's one way to separate out those who aren't serious about service.
4. Finally, the Peace Corps just went through budget cuts and therefore are being much more selective about applicants. I am highly competitive as a science major, but still... I'm a little concerned. 

Overall, I'll be much happier once the medical and legal clearances are out of the way. Speaking of which my legal clearance says I'm already good to go, but this can't be right cause they didn't even have my fingerprints at the time. I'm going to have to contact them soon to make sure any issues are cleared up before they become more of a problem. Hopefully there aren't any, but better safe than sorry.

Finally, I'm signing up to learn French next semester to help maintain my competitive edge by the recommendation of my recruiter. Apparently this is a very in demand language for my program areas so, C'est reparti ! (here goes!)