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September 5th, 2005
06:57 pm - Going Friends Only
My journal is soon to become Friends Only.
Some of the reasons being:
The Peace Corps is hyper-vigilant about their volunteers potentially putting themselves in any danger if they advertise any location-specific info, especially on the internet
I'll have limited access to the internet, I'll be posting less often and the only LJ community I plan to still be with is Peace Corps related
Please comment here if you would like to be added to my new Peace Corps Friends-list and to hear more about my adventures serving in Macedonia!
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01:38 am - For the Record...
I'd heard that it takes 6 months to a year from start to finish for the application process. For me, it was the latter...
Submitted application: August 26th, 2004
Interview: September 9th, 2004
Nominated: October 8th, 2004
Received Medical/Dental/Legal Clearance packet: October 15th?, 2004
Submitted said packet: February 10th, 2005
Medically Cleared: April 28th, 2005
Received Invite: June 6th, 2005
Staging (Pre-dept orientation): September 22-24th, 2005
Pre-Service Training (in-country): September 26th-December 16th, 2005
Dates of Service: September 26th 2005-December 16th, 2007
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September 2nd, 2005
12:39 am - A few new questions I get asked about PC and Macedonia
I've been adding to my list of questions that I orginally posted several months ago June 9th and July 14th. Instead of re-posting it again, I'm just gonna add the new questions here...(and my responses). I'm noticing a pattern of questions where my response usually involves telling people about the infrastructure, the fact that they have electricity, plumbing, internet access, laundry facilities and computers over there...I guess people are imagining I'm gonna go live in a village like "Fiddler on the Roof" back at the turn of the century or something).
1. What do they eat over there? (A lot of meat, fish, lamb, vegetables, and coffee--yay!)
2. Are you gonna take your cat with you? (No, my parents will take care of him while I'm gone).
3. Are you gonna take your cell phone with you? (No.)
4. Do they have electricity? (Yes. They also have plumbing!)
5. Aren't they all Muslims over there? (No, the predominant religion is Eastern Orthodox. However, about 20% are Muslim, most of them also Albanian).
6. Is it a backwards country? (Well, it's a developing country, so it's not as advanced as the US, but I don't think they'd like to be thought of as backwards. I mean, they have things like electricity, plumbing, roads and internet cafes.)
Current Music: No Doubt--Don't Speak
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September 1st, 2005
12:24 am - Travel quotes
"The journey home is never a direct route; it is, in fact, always circuitous, and somewhere along the way, we discover that the journey is more significant than the destination, and that the people we meet along the way will be traveling companions of our memories forever."
Paul Brenner in Nelson DeMille's Book, Up Country
"The landscape conveys an impression of absolute permanence. It is not
hostile. It is simply there untouched, silent, and complete. It is very
lonely, yet the absence of all human traces gives you the feeling you
understand this land and can take your place in it."
Edmund Carpenter, quoted in Arctic Dreams, frontpiece
"I now belong to a higher cult of mortals, for I have seen the albatross"
-Robert Cushman Murphy
"Catch the trade wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-Mark Twain
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August 26th, 2005
03:46 pm - Two unrelated things
Well, I confirmed my departure date. I leave Seattle on Thursday September 22nd at 1:10pm. I go to WA DC for Peace Corps orientation, which is 2 days. I'll meet the other people in my team, approx 35 people. Then on Sunday we all fly to Macedonia. (I have so many mixed feelings about this as I'm typing, but anyway...)
The other thing is that I decided to get a copy of my credit report, just out of curiousity. I am amazed, AMAZED to find out that I have 14 credit cards. Geez louise! This includes all the little department stores and ATM cards and everything. I thought I had like 5, cuz I was only thinking of the ones that I use, and even with those, I typically only charge on one or two.
I guess I'm more of a stereotypical US american than I thought!
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/achy_sp.gif) surprised
Current Music: Soundgarden--Black Hole Sun
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August 24th, 2005
03:28 am - 50 pages
I am a mere 50 pages away from finishing the latest "Harry Potter" book. I tried to finish it last night (er, this morning) at 5am except I was literally falling asleep while reading. I'm gonna get off the computer and finish reading it now.
Oh my god! I still can't get over what has happened. I am totally at the cliff-hanger.
Don't worry, I won't give anything away if anyone else out there still has to read it. Cuz some idiot posted the spoiler on Craigslist before I even started the damn book (about 3 days after it came out). It still pisses me off.
Current Music: Weezer--Beverly Hills
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August 23rd, 2005
01:54 am - Injuries?
Today I was listening to a local radio station that threw out this random statistic:
Apparently, every year 40,000 Americans are injured by what household item?
I was surprised to learn that it is a toilet.
OK. Call me ignorant, but how the hell does someone get injured by a toilet?
I'm baffled.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/confused_sp.gif) confused
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August 20th, 2005
01:48 am - Calling computer geeks!
Heelllllp! I'm having trouble with one of my blogs and I need someone who understands HTML to help me!
Preferably in person. Free coffee will be happily exchanged!
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/grumpy_sp.gif) frustrated
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August 13th, 2005
01:08 am - Quitting Smoking
REMINDERS (from "Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking")
1. Make a solemn vow never, ever to smoke, chew or suck anything that contains nicotine and stick to your vow.
2. There is absolutely nothing to GIVE UP, to lose. There is everything to gain. There is no genuine pleasure or crutch in smoking. It is an illusion, like banging your head against a wall to make it pleasant when you stop.
3. Don't doubt your decision to stop. You know it's the right choice.
4. Don't try NOT to think about smoking or worry about it. Whenever you do think of it, think "YIPPEE! I'M A NON-SMOKER!"
5. There is no such thing as "just one cigarette".
6. Do NOT use any substitute.
Do NOT keep your own cigarettes.
Do NOT avoid other smokers.
Do NOT change your lifestyle in anyway because you've stopped smoking.
7. Do not envy other smokers, realize that they envy you. You are not being deprived, they are. Pity them.
8. You did not enjoy being a smoker. I do enjoy being a non-smoker.
9. Don't wait for the moment of revelation to come. Just get on with your life. Enjoy the highs and cope with the lows. In time, the moment will arrive.
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Reading this book, and keeping these reminders on hand has helped me tremendously in quitting smoking. I smoked for 3 years in college. The last time I regularly smoked was when I was in South America (the cheap price of cigs was a real trigger for me). The last time I had a drag was December 18, 2003.
Also, it is interesting to note that these reminders could easily be applied or modified to quitting alcohol or drugs as well.
I just wanted to share this with y'all, regardless of where you are in your status of using any kind of substance. It is just as much a reminder to myself as a hopeful message to anyone else.
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12:59 am - Other cool quotes
"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want." --Ben Stein
"Life is a long lesson in humility." --James M. Barrie (1860-1937)
"You're alive. Do Something. The direction in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complex sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act."
--Barbara Hall, A Summons to New Orleans, 2000.
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12:54 am - Amazing
"No one tells us how amazing we are." --Felix.
I came across this quote in my endless pile of paper clutter and a smile came across my face. My friend Felix is from South Africa, but he lives in England and I met him in Antarctica about 18 months ago during my crazy travels in South America. Felix is right. People don't tell us or remind how how truly fuckin' amazing we are; as humans, as friends, as living beings, as creative, capable, intelligent, loving people.
So. Take this as a reminder. Or a cyber hug. Or whatever.
You're amazing!
(And don't forget it!)
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/happy_sp.gif) happy
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August 7th, 2005
04:17 pm - Hydroplanes!
Today, the last day of Seafair festival, is the hydroplane races on Lake Washington. There are 3 boats that are sponsoring, in part, the Ronald McDonald House: Miss Thriftway, Miss Beacon Plumbing and Miss Lakeridge Paving. Miss Thriftway even has the names of all the kids currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House (patients and their siblings). On Friday I went with a bunch of the families down to the Lake at a booth to watch the preliminary trials of the hydroplanes, including the Blue Angels and some other air shows. It was a lot of fun. We even got to go down to the pit to see the boats up close and look at the names on Miss Thriftway.
I just turned on the TV to find out that the three boats didn't make it past the preliminary trials. But still, it's an awesome thing that they did and Friday was a blast.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/awake_sp.gif) pleased
Current Music: Alice in Chains--Man in the Box
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August 4th, 2005
12:11 am - Live Music
damnit. I just found out that Jimmy Eat World and Green Day are performing September 26th. About 5 days after I leave for the PC. Man, that sux...two bands I totally dig and have yet to see live.
Plus Sleater-Kinney is performing at the Gorge this weekend with White Stripes and I just don't have the $$$, time or energy to drive all the freekin' way out there...
Someday I will see these bands live...someday...
I still have Pearl Jam and Counting Crows on my list too
( Not to mention... )
Holy Shit, that turned out to be a much longer list than I anticipated.
( OK...Now here's a list of bands that I HAVE seen live... )
And a few more I'm sure I'm forgetting...
So, if you could see any THREE BANDs or GROUPS live, of your own choosing, who would you want to see?
Current Mood: impressed
Current Music: Cypress Hill--Insane in the Brain
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August 3rd, 2005
02:29 am - Ready for a laugh?
Got this from some friends in Australia (oz) via e-mail...these are funny!
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These are genuine clips from council complaint letters:
My bush is really overgrown round the front and my back passage has fungus growing in it.
He's got this huge tool that vibrates the whole house and I just can't take it anymore.
It's the dog's mess that I find hard to swallow.
I want some repairs done to my cooker as it has backfired and burnt my knob off.
I wish to complain that my father hurt his ankle very badly when he put his foot in the hole in his back passage.
And their 18 year old son is continually banging his balls against my fence.
I wish to report that tiles are missing from the outside toilet roof I think it was bad wind the other night that blew them off.
My lavatory seat is cracked, where do I stand?
I am writing on behalf of my sink, which is coming away from the wall.
Will you please send someone to mend the garden path. My wife tripped and fell on it yesterday and now she is pregnant.
I request permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen
50% of the walls are damp, 50% have crumbling plaster and 50% are plain filthy.
I am still having problems with smoke in my new drawers.
The toilet is blocked and we cannot bathe the children until it is cleared.
Will you please send a man to look at my water, it is a funny colour and not fit to drink.
Our lavatory seat is broken in half and is now in three pieces.
I want to complain about the farmer across the road; every morning at 6am his cock wakes me up and its now getting too much for me.
The man next door has a large erection in the back garden, which is unsightly and dangerous.
Our kitchen floor is damp. We have two children and would like a third so please send someone round to do something about it.
I am a single woman living in a downstairs flat and would you please do something about the noise made by the man on top of me every night.
Please send a man with the right tool to finish the job and satisfy my wife.
I have had the clerk of works down on the floor six times but I still have no satisfaction.
Current Mood: amused
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12:54 am - Mercury in retrograde
Crapola. Tonight at work was absolute CHAOS. Sometimes things get crazy at work and I wish I could clone myself to be two people. Well, tonight, I needed three of me. It was that insane. Crazy nights happen sometimes, but not that often. It was as if it was a full moon tonight, but it wasn't. The only reason I kept my sanity at all was that I had two volunteers tonight that saved my ass and helped me out. After hell had been snatched up and put back in place after breaking loose, one of the volunteers looked on the internet and said that this evening Mercury was in retrograde and that what that means is a breakdown in communication.
I found that interesting. I usually take these things with a good dose of salt. I'm not a full believer in astrology, fortune telling, supernatural stuff, etc...but I find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. (I once had my tarot cards read to me by an amateur, and he was pretty accurate, almost spooky actually. And I've had plenty of friends who've had similar experiences like that).
And yeah, it would make sense that perhaps my night was insane thanks to good ol' Mercury. A lot of my issues were due to difficulties in communication, as well as just really bad timing.
Whew!
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/sleepy_sp.gif) tired
Current Music: NIN--Head Like a Hole
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August 1st, 2005
10:17 pm - Let's do the time warp again
Woah, what the hell happened to July? In fact, where the hell is this summer going anyway? I can't believe it's already August!
I also just found out that my last day of work, August 19th, is a full moon. Oh mi god. Now it's gonna be a REALLY crazy night!
Current Mood: confused
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July 25th, 2005
10:59 pm - Pirates of the Carribbean
My sister just got back from the Bay Islands of Honduras in the Caribbean. She gave me the coolest gift. I got a really old wine bottle from a Pirates' shipwreck!!! I don't know that much about old glass bottles, but this thing is old and really cool. My uneducated guess is that it is about 200 years old. Must do more research about Pirates of the Caribbean...Do any of you know? Maybe they were Spanish or Portuguese?
Arrrrrrrrrrrrr ;)
Just had to share...
Current Mood: amused
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July 15th, 2005
10:57 pm - Harry Potter Book 6
OMG. My book is in the mail!!! I cannot wait! :) :) :) :)
Also, yesterday online I saw the trailer for the next HP movie, coming out this November. I'm psyched, even though I have no idea when I'll get to see the movie cuz it'll depend on when it gets released in Maceonia! Holy Cow! I hope they release it with subtitles instead of being dubbed!
To see the movie trailer and check out all the other cool HP stuff: (I even got to pick myself out a wand)
http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/main/homepage/intro.html
Current Mood: excited
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July 14th, 2005
10:44 pm - Questions I get asked about Macedonia, Part 2
I've updated my list again, added a few more questions...Often the counter-responses are, "You're brave!" and "I could never do something like that!" To which my reply is, "Yes, you can, if you want to".
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In the past before going to a country, I get a lot of questions. Sometimes they are interesting, funny and downright stupid. For everyone's amusement, I am keeping a list of questions that I get asked. I will try to have it prioritized by listing them by frequency (the first question gets asked the most, etc). And then when I arrive in Macedonia, I'll have a follow-up list of questions that they ask me about the United States. For example, when I was in Ecuador one of my good friends asked me what kind of music is played on the buses in the US? I had to stop laughing before I could answer her :D
So, after telling someone that I am going to Macedonia with the Peace Corps, here are their questions (and my answers):
1. Where's that? (in Eastern Europe, North of Greece)
2. What language do they speak? (Macedonian & Albanian)
3. Is that like Greek? (Macedonian is a Cyrillic language, similar to Russian & Bulgarian. It uses symbols similar to Russian and Greek)
4. Do you speak Macedonian? (Not yet, I'm learning a few basic words right now. I'll be learning it during training)
5. Is it safe? (Depends on how you define "safe". Is New York City "safe"? Is Seattle "safe"? The point is, be aware of your surroundings and you're fine. I don't walk around downtown Seattle by myself in the middle of the night. Or I could get hit by a car crossing the street in front of my house, it's not gonna stop me from leaving my house.)
6. What is the country like? (Varied, beautiful, mountainous. I recently learned that the country converges on three tectonic plates!)
7. What is the climate like? (More varied than the Pacific Northwest: hot summers, cool winters, average temp is 50F)
8. Who lives there? (Macedonians)
9. What do your parents/family think of all this? (They are very supportive and understanding.)
10. Where in Macedonia will you be serving? (I don't know yet).
11. Where in Macedonia will you be living? (I'll live with a host family during training, the first three months. After that, I'll be placed in a city or village to serve my two years and live with either a host family, or hopefully get my own apartment.)
12. What is their currency? (Denar)
13. What are the people like? (I hear that they are friendly and hospitable, I'll let you know when I get there).
14. What percentage of them speak English? (I don't know).
15. Do they have a president? (Yes, they have a president).
16. What kind of government do they have? (a Republic; parliamentary democracy)
17. Is it a part of the European Union? (Not yet, but it is in the process of joining).
18. Is it a poor country? (Compared to the US, yes. The Peace Corps works in developing countries)
19. Are the people there black, like they are in, say Ethiopia? (no, they are more like the Greeks).
20. Is it a primitive country? (Well, they have plumbing and electricity and CD's and most things that you can buy here, so, no I don't think so. But perhaps there are some villages that don't have all the things that we do. The issue will be more about availability and how affordable they are.)
21. Is it a civilized country? (No, they are cannibals who eat the brains of their enemies).
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July 8th, 2005
02:42 pm - London
I learned of the terrorist attack in London pretty late in the day yesterday, after arriving at work. My first thought was all my friends in the UK. I e-mailed them as soon as I could, about 20 of them, most of them I taught English with in Ecuador.
I've heard back from six of them. One of them, one of my former housemates, had taken the tube thru 2 stations an hour before the attacks. It is truly chilling.
The good news is that everyone appears determined not to let the terror control us living our daily lives.
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