American Baby

"He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which" -Douglas Adams

13 weeks to go!

I don't want to come off as not excited but I don't think I'm going to start preparing for everything until August. When I saw that other people were getting invites and that they were working on their packing list I acquired this odd panic. It started with me staring in lab at the wall and now in class I seem to lose my train of thought and blank out. Then on top of that simple English seems to be slipping. In my humorous state these behaviors seem to amuse most of the people around me but I've found the remedy and their jokes will now CEASE! HAHA! My walking boot comes off tomorrow and I smell freedom in the form of running. I desperately need a good run and maybe some ABBA.

I've had some time (aka Lab/Class Lectures) to rank my concerns/goals for the time before I leave.

Level of Importance Hierarchy:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Fun (Travel, Concerts, Hiking, Running, etc..)

4. Language Training

5. Packing Conundrum

6. Class

7. Lab

This order was devised during our weekly Journal Club/Lab Meeting where I was not prepared for the paper or showing any sign of attentiveness. NOW my amazing news for the lab can't be discussed until a paper is published BUT it's mind-blowing and I hope that I get fancy copies of it when it is eventually published.

I made the title of this blog "American Baby" because my little sister will sing me the chorus of that song at random times, letting me know that she wants me to "STTTAYYYYY American Baby". She also reminds me regularly that I haven't posted anything on this blog and I apologize to the people who get through my muddled words and actively come back to read more...you are incredible.

Sweet for Certain

GUESS WHAT?!?! People are getting invites to Azerbaijan. I was starting to think that no one getting invited to the country were on the INTERNET! I was completely perplexed with this. Now there is a flood of people getting invited and even people that are in the country are coming out the wood-work. This simple fact has made my day! I guess my invite was just uber early, meh. Now I have a lab meeting and class to focus on..and then I'm off to Harry Potter and Destin beaches tomorrow. I am beyond excited about this and I hope to meet more!

So Damn Lucky

As I am about to dive into my May course all I can think about is what I need to do and when (this is not conducive to my grades). My solution is this handy-dandy blog, this post will now be my To-Do/Bucket List Tracker (TDBLT)...oh yeah PC style! That's something I probably should add to the side, acronyms, since half the time it confuses me.


May: Accept Invitation [done]
Peace Corps Passport [done]
Visa Application [done]
Aspiration Statement [done]
Updated Resume [done]
ALEC course [done]


June:
Committee Meeting [moved to August]
Plant Disease Course
Start Turkish Training [started]
Start Organic Gardening
Finish Cloning Project [HA!]
Harry Potter Theme Park


July:
Plant Disease Course
Turkish Training
Organic Gardening
Dave Concert
Dollywood
Visit Tennessee
Cyndee's Wedding (Florida)


August:
Move out of College Station
Lilith Fair
Jack Johnson Concert
My Birfdaee!
Committee Meeting


September:
Disneyland Half-Marathon
Dave Concerts II, III, & IV
Pack Clothes
Go "Live with Willy Wonka"


"Everything's different
My head in the clouds
..
Oh, my god wait and see
what will soon come of me"
So Damn Lucky-DMB

I am the Proudest Monkey!

*drumroll* Now ladies and gentlemen, the country that I have been invited to is Azerbaijan! I received the package yesterday. I will post more when I start feeling better. Sadly, I haven't been able to look through everything. I just returned from Florida where I attended my grandfather's funeral and on the drive back my sinus issues turned into a full-fledged painful head cold. For the next 3 days I will be cramming for my finals then starting my new course for May. No rest for the wicked. HAHA!

"Then comes the day

Staring at myself I turn to question me

I wonder do I want the simple,

simple life that I once lived in well

Oh things were quiet then

In a way they were the better days

But now I am the PROUDEST MONKEY!"

Proudest Monkey- DMB

Hello from Donna Marie's mom

Watching this whole process has been amazing. The family's feelings range from excitement and pride to downright worry.
I have been told this is normal and when we get to the other side we will laugh about our sillinesses and be much more savvy.
We will seeee... :-)

Hands and feet are all alike

I talked to the PO and I will be invited to Central Asia/Eastern Europe! Talk about coming out of left field with that one! I wasn't even close to guessing that. It's like a Christmas surprise. I will have more details when I get my package because when L was talking to me I zoned out from excitement. Oh I'll be leaving around September 20th. AAAHHH! This is just amazing..amazing!

I added my PC status screenshot. *tear*

"The future is no place

To place your better days"

Cry Freedom - DMB

...swiped the image from peacecorps.gov *CHEERS*

Hope You Will Be By Me Then

I feel like I'm walking through sludge with the PC, but the school semester is flying.

The MI Placement Liaison told me this: "Regarding your program, since you are MI, you are not nominated into a region-specific program area; rather, you are nominated into a general program pool, and thus are considered for any program related to your assignment area (i.e. agriculture). This increases your chances of being placed in a program corresponding with your background, but it does require a bit more patience and flexibility on your end." I could cry. I have no idea what to focus my research on while I'm here, in hopes that it translates well to my country. I know I need flexibility but this is still a graduate program and I have stress like no other to get some work complete before I leave.

I wish I could get into contact with someone that is doing this program and is out in their country. I have no idea how many research credits to sign up for while I'm gone or how that will work with the university charging tuition. Do I go into a special category for not being at campus? What if I don't work on anything relevant to my thesis while I'm gone and the university claims that I have too many credits and not enough work finished, which would lead to incomplete or forced research when I return. Everyday that I deal with these questions it makes ME question myself. Should I have just stuck with entering the PC after I graduated then worked on a professional degree when I returned? I admit I am being challenged and learning an abundant about of information but will this work out?! I know I will do well and love my service in the PC but in the back of my mind I worry about making BOTH sides of this program cohesive and consequential.

As far as my life goes, I completed a 10k this morning called "Run Thru the Vines". It was an symbolic experience, reflective of my behavior both in school and in running. I am one of those students that studies before a major exam the night before and can't seem to have motivation to study steadily throughout the semester. The grades are low or mediocre. This is also prevalent with my running or lack of running. I start pumping up my running routine just before the race but it never translates to a successful run. Today I was the last person in the race. I haven't been training lately and it killed me. The embarrassment I felt has now motivated me to have more discipline. This was essential since I am the ultimate bull-headed person and it takes a MAJOR slap in the face to make me change my ways. I will now be studying more frequently along with a steady workout.

Major Events Coming Up (Before I leave):

• Robigalia - 04/23
• JazzFest - 04/24-04/25
• Final ALEC course - 05/13-05/28
• Tati's Graduation - 05/15
• Plant Diagnostic Course - 06/01-08/11
• Move Out of College Station - 08/15
• Harry Potter Amusement Park - 06/27-07/01
• HullabaLOU - 07/23-07/25
• Dollywood - 07/26
• Dave Matthews Band Concert - 07/27
• Disneyland Half-Marathon - 08/05
• Dave Matthews Band Concert - 09/10
• Dave Matthews Band Concert - 09/11
• Dave Matthews Band Concert - 09/14
• Austin City Limits Festival - 10/08-10/10
• Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Antonio - 11/14
• Peace Corps Service??

I'm sure I'm forgetting something (0h well) and I understand that I may leave before some of these events happen. Let's hope it can work out!

"I've been high and I've been down

My head in the clouds and my hands on the ground

When I'm so lost that losing feel like dying

I hope you will be by me then"

#27-DMB

The Remedy

When Dr. Norman Borlaug was asked by a student how to make a change (like Borlaug had) in the world he told them to start with the Peace Corps. As I stress about classes, research, and finding out my country of service sometimes I have to step back and realize that I am in this amazing program to serve and help as best I can.

I have picked my classes for the summer and the first one is my last required PC course. This class is 14 days long, 8 hrs a day, M-Sat. The second course is a Diagnostics of Plant Disease that is all summer.

I've decided to not worry about where I will be placed or when. I will attempt to extend my lease to the end of August and just focus on my classes. When I worry about where I'm going it gets me no where. At this time during the semester, time is precious and that time should be spent on improving my knowledge and furthering my understanding in plant pathology. I say this in HOPE that I follow through.

"Lately I've been feeling low

A remedy is what I'm seeking

Take a taste of what's below

Come away to something better

What I want is what I've not got

But what I need is all around me

Reaching, searching never stop"

-DMB: Jimi Thing

What to Do While I Wait..

So I've started going through Peace Corps Wiki looking at what countries have Agriculture or Environment as well as leave from Mid-August through November.

Agriculture sections:
1. Vanuatu

2. Zambia

3. Paraguay

4. Niger (probably not: need French)?

5. Senegal (probably not: need French)?

6. Mali (probably not: need French)?

7. Bolivia (probably not: need French)?

8. Nicaragua (probably not: need Spanish)?

9. Dominican Republic (probably not: need Spanish)?

Environmental Sections:
1. Vanuatu

2. Cameroon

3. Dominican Republic

4. Madagascar

5. Malawi

6. Morocco

7. Nicaragua

8. Niger

9. Philippines

10. Tanzania

11. Togo

12. Belize

13. Zambia

Wouldn't it be cool to be sent to Vanuatu? AND this is how I deal with stress. I think my file has now been submitted to the Placement Office. YAY!

Things that are stressing me now:

1. Do I need to extend my lease to August, September, October, November...

2. Why hasn't my 3rd chair for my committee wrote me back.

3. How am I going to finish the cloning project by the time I leave.

4. Will my summer classes overlap and make me choose between the two.

5. My presentation in my PC class is becoming more and more intimidating as time passes.

6. And the basics: classes.

Family Perspective

HOWDY!!

I'm Donna's little (beautiful) sister. My job includes posting for Donna when or if she can't post while she is gone and posting from my perspective during her time...wherever she ends up.

From right now, the only thing going on is that Donna is going crazy waiting for more information and I am just trying to keep her sane while she is keeping me sane during CPA studying.

I probably won't be updating much until after May and I am 4 exams closer to being a CPA.

If any of you are family and want to know more details of what I am doing or how my parents are reacting, please comment and I will email you!

Have a WONDERFUL day,

Tatianna

Realization

WOW! Look at the grey block! That's my anticipated service time.. *shivers*

I'm Alive

"Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight

It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight

The motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life

Now I'm alive and well"

• As of 02/04/2010 I have been cleared for medical and dental. The legal section is now a "work in progress". Every morning that I check my email I get this strange terrified/excited feeling run through me. The nomination is coming up so quickly and I can't believe it is already March. It keeps shocking me each and everyday that it is THIS YEAR that I will be leaving.
• NOW for grad school I have to form my committee and then set up my degree plan..or set up my degree plan then form the committee. All of this is so foreign to me. Who should I pick for this VERY strange program. Several variations run through my head: everyone from the research side of this program or two from research and one from International Ag or one that is research/international ag, etc.
• I was under the impression that I would have my classes out of the way by this fall so that when I came back I would just focus on research but I seem to have misunderstood the set up and I will be taking more classes when I return from OZ.
• I would hate to jinx myself but I feel that I have found a good rhythm for the studies, not so much for the lab, but that is a work in progress.
• This post is boring..I apologize. I just wanted to update it. I'm currently in lab looking over some results and working through some homework. Jealous?!

"And today you know that good enough for me

Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see

Today is the first day of the rest of my life

Now I'm alive and well"

-Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews

41

"I swear by now I'm playing time against my troubles. I'm coming slow but speeding." -#41 by Dave Matthews

As this dual program goes along I feel that one section is speeding along while the other is getting left behind. The classes, lab and work are demanding large amounts of time and it's hard to stop and write something about using an inhaler when I was 14. I understand this is necessary information for the Peace Corps and their placement options for me but it's difficult to aliquot time for that "trivial" of a subject.

I am sitting in lab trying to finish up some letters that need to be sent in and also scheduling, hopefully, the last doctors appointment for these forms. I actually am shocked that there has only been 4 discrepancies for my medical packet. I will put this in the win column for me, which leaves it Medical Packet: 273, Donna: 3. I think I'm gaining on it..

I have to admit that I was somewhat critical about taking an ALEC course for the program because it was hard for me to justify taking a course so far outside of my major but with every class I realize the importance of this course to my current program and all my future endeavors. Today was a lecture over Post-Conflict Ag in Iraq.

Now..onto to finishing some of these forms..and finally getting some much needed rest. I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Medical Forms, oh Medical Forms

There should be a warning on the outside of the package "If about to go through finals, DO NOT OPEN THIS PACKAGE!" Wow! I've spent almost a month working out these forms and I think I'll be done with them in a month. Every form I fill out gives me relief and also fear. I'm glad I'm getting through them then I'm also worried that something in them may prevent me from going anywhere. Let's hope for the best. I understand the need to know everything about my medical standing it's just overwhelming. Tomorrow afternoon I have my finals, so hopefully after tomorrow I will be able to focus more on research, my part-time job, and this wonderful packet. :) I do enjoy meeting all these people that are excited about the program and then hear their opinions but that time meeting them takes away from my studies and research. There is a happy medium and I think I am finding it slowly. I find this all to be a test of my desire to be in the program.

Medical Forms and Class Schedules

So I got the 5lb package of medical forms I need to fill out with my Doctors. Is it possible to add this to my schedule and get class credit for all the forms?

As for classes, let's see how I can handle 11hrs for the Spring semester..