I just wrote a really long reply and got an "an error occurred" message, so I'm going to try again ![]()
Anyways, you are completely right about the Peace Corps. I know that it is far from a life of luxury and that the point is to do good and learn about other cultures - I think the idea just seemed more feasible/attractive before we actually did it. We were up in the mountains of South Africa without electricity or running water and were only gone for six months, but it was still hard. We also both had a variety of medical issues that make us a little weary of serving for 2.5 years with the Peace Corps (although they'd definitely take better care of us).
The other reason we are reconsidering is the time commitment - it is 2.5 years and I would like to go back to grad school afterwards. If I did both, I would come out of school at 30 with a graduate degree but without ever having really worked a day in my life. If we are interested in having kids, we would want to start thinking about it by then as well.
You're also right about Switzerland - it is far from a 3rd world country! The only comparison I meant to draw was the weather. Even with 1st world amenities in Switzerland, this Georgia girl froze. Mongolian winters are much colder and much longer, so that would be a challenge as well.
We definitely haven't made any decisions regarding PC service, though. Their needs change all the time as they adjust to political and social climates, so we are waiting to get our official invitations, see what our jobs and location would be, and then make a decision. Anything else is just a back-up plan for now and we should be hearing from them in the next few weeks.
Sorry if I came across as snooty or ill-informed in the other post!
Re: Trish
i want some back story!! i think we have a repeat DD offender
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Yes!
Adventures of A Girl and Her Apron
man, i picked the wrong time to hit up the target!! you know i hate missing stuff.
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FB? I missed it too!
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Word.
Oh lord.
Why Trish? This never works out well for you. If you are going to call someone out, have the balls to stand behind what you said.
cuz we totally will.
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and this is why I love y'all.
I dd'ed b/c I had second thoughts about how I wrote the post. I didn't think it came across the way I wanted to. I dd'ed just before this was posted and haven't been online since (I do things off-line once in a while with IRL friends). Nothing was meant by the dd as I planned to rewrite the post.
I think your post in the other thread came across as very stuck up. "Oh, things are SO hard for us. We are traveling the world. It's cold. Oh, whoa is me!" I have friends that live in Switzerland. I can assure that for the majority of Swiss, life is much like it is here in the US (I realize it is sad that there is poverty worldwide, and life is not wonderful for all Swiss residents). This southern girl agrees that Mongolian winters would completely suck!
(and a good reason I will never move to DH's home state, where it is really cold all winter.) I imagine things could have been "primitive" in Africa, but there are millions of people that live in those conditions every day.
The PC is a wonderful program, but it's NOT easy. I'm glad that you realize you might not be a good fit for it. I have not been in the PC but have many friends that have been and have heard hours upon hours of stories about it. From what they say, the work is hard and the pay sucks. Living conditions are not always the best, but it's incredibly rewarding. The experiences they have during their time in the PC have really helped shaped them as a person. It was not a calling I ever had. I admire those that choose to serve their fellow man through such programs.
Good luck with whatever you do! BTW, how did your interview today go??
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You're one to talk. "Sometimes I do things with my IRL friends". WTF?
and your post above came across as incredibly judgemental and holier than thou. I will be the first to admit I can be judgey as hell, and nothing about Nicole's original post came across as "woe is me" or anything like that. She and her DH have already spent a good bit of time living rough and are rightfully recognizing that 2.5 years of it could really take its toll. Not to mention the very valid concerns about grad school and kids. Unless your asss is going to be the one freezing in a tent in Mongolia, you need to shut it and not judge.
You have some real issues.
quoting in case she decides to DD this too....
how is anything that was said backstabbing? YOU deleted the post. YOU made nicole feel bad about HER potential decision to not continue with the peace corps. and YOU have done this before.
backstabbing implies we were all supportive of your opinions and deletion, and then changed our minds. NOT the case.
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you.... you complete ME.
Call me Kat =^..^=
BAMF- April is approaching so I trust we will be having brunch soon? Check your PM's I need to send you my email address.
Call me Kat =^..^=