P.O. to P.A.O?

April 8, 2009

Whew, so I finally, finally, finally completed all of my experience working with youth to build up my file. I have had a lot of experience and I didn't want to leave anything out. After awhile though I was getting weary and didn't even put everything. Hopefully it's enough. I got an email today from my P.O. saying she received all the information and she is sending it to my P.O....??? Wha? Aren't you my P.O.? Well she said, Placement & Assessment Officer...which is clearly a step abover ;oP So, progress. I just need to stay positive and visualize myself leaving in August. My P.O. said they will be reviewing my file over the next several weeks...sooo more of the waiting game...

I have been doing a pretty decent job of paying my debt down, but I still can use some more time, so I'm in no hurry just yet. I have gotten a ton of babysitting gigs for the upcoming months, so hopefully that keeps me busy and allows me to pay off the rest of the debt. Oh on that same page...I finally got all of my dental and medical bills together and I turned in my reimbursement form. Hopefully I'm still able to get that money back. It's not a lot but it is something. I just paid Quest Diagnostics over $700 for the labs I had to get...sooo any little bit will be welcomed whenever it comes.

I wonder what my next update is going to be about...only time will tell...

A Change is gonna come...oooohhh yes it wwwiiilllll...

January 20, 2009

From the words of Sam Cooke to the ideals of Obama...Change is what we are talkin about and being about these days (Especially TODAY!! PRAISE GOD!). Change is inevitable, always had been always will be, and boy am I facing a huge change right now. Remember this is the Peace Corps blog so I try to keep it strictly PC :o) So when we last left off in 2008, I was teaching dance and just looking to secure one to two more part time positions. Yeah, well thanks economy for being in recession, I can't get a silly gig anywhere! Since I teach after school, being unavailable from 1-4 really messes things up.

I've gotten to the point where I'm dying waiting to hear back from coffee shops! I mean seriously? This is where we are? After some self reflection and evaluation...I realized, if I'm gonna be working at coffee shops (Which there is nothing wrong with), I can be working at Starbucks...in Missouri, and not paying for rent and really kick of initiative: Pay off Debt to be free to go to Peace Corps.

Now it's not that easy. Going back to Missouri...would really be...going.back. I haven't lived back home since I graduated from college. LA has been my home for the past four...almost five years! It's really hard to wrap my mind around. I also NEVER really thought that I would be almost 30 going to live back home. So I have a lot to chew on.

The math is...made no money in December, don't get paid a dime till the end of January = 2 months absolutely NO.Money. Divided by the deal my landlord gave me discounting my rent and my still struggling = girl you gots to go.

No why not live with my ride or die friends who would do anything for me? Well that's the toss up, but, at this point...what is LA giving me? I can't afford to take my favorite dance classes anymore and all of my time is spend either stressing about or looking for work.

The longer I stay here, the longer I am using my "emergency" credit card... putting myself further into debt instead of getting out! Also take into account that my father is about to disown me over the whole thing...staying here is seeming less and less like the thing to do.

Have I notified the Missouri crew I'm rollin threw? Absolutely not...soooo that's something to do...
Have I told my current employer that I realize I can no longer live on peanuts (even though I would if I could)..Nope!
Have I even really made up my mind completely? Nah, but the numbers don't lie...I'm just in denial
Do I know without a shadow of a doubt I'll get work in MO....not beyond a doubt..but I do have some leads...

I think most of my resistance comes in when thinking of what a big CHANGE it would be. I'm not good with change, especially change of this proportion. Why do you care? Well, this has everything to do with the Peace Corps. There is no way I would consider moving if I wasn't an nominee for August. It's just a gamble because what if I don't get an invite? Then what?

So many things. At the end of the day, I don't think I can go wrong with getting out of debt...doing a Missouri tour...(I can then visit my KC people, Chi-town people, Columbia folks and of course STL peeps)... and then re-evaluating from there.

The only status updates I have gotten was a letter stating I'm dentally cleared and that my medical packet is under review. The sooner I can pay everything off...the sooner I can accept a call with an earlier departure if that comes a-knockin!

These next two months are going to be interesting indeed...

Double Update!

December 27, 2008

Happy Holidays!

I have had such a fantastic holiday and I have been wanting to update my blog, but couldn't steal a moment. Sometime last week, I did the typical impatient thing nominees do, and I called OMS. Now both my surprise and delight, someone answered the line right away. To my dismay the news was that they have not received my medical packet yet and that I should call back at the beginning of the year since everyone was on their way out the door to leave for vacation.

The result, total panic, convinced that my packet had gotten lost in the mail. I was in such a hurry to get my packet off, I didn't make copies of all of my forms. Word to the wise, don't skip this step!

However, in light of holiday miracles, I return home today and I check my email. An update from Peace Corps! Sweet, I already know the news, they have indeed received my medical packet...but I just want to see it with my own eyes. I log onto my toolkit...looking to see where they have said "packet received"... MORE than just my packet being received... I AM DENTALLY CLEARED! Praise the Lord!

That is so awesome for SO.MANY.REASONS. I can't even express. I was so worried about all things dental its not even funny. Now I just have to pay off my dental bill and I'm even steven :o) But that is SUCH a hump to get over and so soon! I wasn't expecting any dental/medical clearance until March or so.

*(over analytical moment)*
Now, I can't help but think...are they moving super quick on my application?
Am I going to be a candidate for an earlier assignment?
Should I/Would I go sooner? (even though I have debt that I gotta pay off)
What if its Spanish speaking!? That's totally what I want!
Did my calling help speed this thing along?
Cause if it was then that would be some more advice to nominees, stay on OMS...
*(moment over)*

Well what does '09 look like for me?
Getting my house in order.

Getting another part time gig, maybe two...
Ideally work around the clock...
The more I work,
the sooner debt is paid off,
The sooner I'm a free agent to leave up outta here and start my Peace Corps Adventure!

Happy New YEAR!!!!

***Post realizations***
1) My Dental Clearance Update came on Christmas Day...awww
2) I cannot take an assignment that leaves before June because I'm under contract with my dance school and I personally would not want to leave before our recital.

After the first week in June '09 I'm fair game...
2009 in going to be an interesting one indeed....

Dental Packet Complete

December 9, 2008

Sweet, just came from the dentist and I got my paperwork completed (for free mind you!). The x-rays she gave me are not of the "panorex" variety which Peace Corps requested, but my dentist said that what she gave me will work. At this point I just want to send my stuff off and if there is a small tiny problem that I need to follow up on, I will. I just don't want these piles of papers here half completed. I also spoke with the OMS office this morning about who can sign my OBGYN papers (did it need to be my old doctor or new one?). Since I received the paperwork I need from my home city with all of my history, I can just take that into my OB's office and have her sign off on everything. So I need to follow up, but I believe her office said I can come in on Friday between 7 AM and 2 PM...however, its gonna cost me 40 bucks! Suckers! It's okay, hopefully that is the.last.dime. I spend on getting medically cleared and now I can just pay everything off!

If all goes according to plan I will be able to send my paperwork off no later than December 15th! Yay! Then it will be the holidays so I know my packet is just gonna sit AND again, I'm not due to leave until Fall '09 so I don't think they will be in a big hurry. However, it will be another milestone completed in this year long process. I can't wait!

Small Insignificant Update

November 26, 2008

This week I have been trying to secure all paper work. Once I get my work schedule I'll be able to make an appointment with my dentist to get my final x-rays. I contacted my OB office in Saint Louis and they have to mail me a release form that I have to sign before I can get my past records. I spoke with my OB office here and I'm getting my results from my PAP this summer sent, but I still need to have her sign the my paperwork as well. I have a feeling I'm going to have to just roll up on her one day. I can try to make an appointment but they can be so flaky at that office, I think the sneak attack maybe the best way. I think other than that my medical/dental packet will be complete to send off! I hope I can complete all of these things by the end of the year!

2009 is going to be all about paying off debt so that I am free to sail to wherever I am sent. I also decided that I am going to start studying some Spanish and go to a language center to test myself, just in case I could be sent to a Spanish speaking area.

That's all for now, hopefully in my next few posts I'm announcing that I got my medical packet off on time!

Dental Almost Completed/Legal Clearance

November 17, 2008

So this weekend I got my impacted wisdom tooth pulled. I was soooo super nervous, but it was okay. I'm still on meds though for the next few days. Since I had so much to do that day I completely forgot about my paper work. So I am going to have to go back and get my final and official x-rays that are required by Peace Corps. So Dental is almost completed! Whew. (now I just have to pay for it all!).

I received an email today saying that I have Legal Clearance. WHOO HOO! I couldn't be more pleased, mainly because I had NO clue why there was a hold to begin with. I wonder if that means my student loans are going to be taken care of... I only have about $3,000 of student loans, but if I could use that money to pay for...I don't know, my dental costs...that would really help.

I must admit I have been being pretty slack on my medical journey. I must kick it into high gear so I can have everything sent off by December.

POAL (Plan of Action List)
Still gotta hunt down records from my OB in the Lou
Call my OB here and get my paper work from my pap this summer
Get final X-Rays from Dentist

I'll give myself till the end of November to have those tasks completed... Wish me Luck!

Moving Right Along...

October 28, 2008

This Saturday I got the fillings I needed on my right side.
It turns out my insurance covered a small fraction of what I paid the first time, so my bill is still pretty high. I think with my insurance my wisdom tooth extraction is going to be virtually free... Finally something free from the dentist.

The surgeon comes in only every third Thursday of the month, or something like that. So my next appointment is November 13th. Then I should be good to go.

That day I will get my tooth pulled and more x-rays (crap is that gonna cost me?) with my updated dental work, and I will be that much closer to turning in my medical packet.

Once I get my life more settled I will start harassing my OB.. I really should do that sooner that later...

A-O.K. and OMS

October 16, 2008

My doctor visit was a breeze!
He said everything was 100% A.O.K.
I am so relieved!

Maybe my medical packet will be completed before '09
I guess I could bite the bullet and get my wisdom tooth pulled soon after my fillings next Saturday...like days after since as it looks now, my weekday are going to be open.

I will also need a day or two to straight up surprise attack my OB and get her to sign off on my "normal" status. I will also need copies of that lab work...I hope she has all that stuff!

I also plan on calling my OMS sometime just to make sure everything is filled and complete before sending it off and just waiting.

We shall see...probably won't have an update until after my dentist appointment(s)

Many Blogs, TMI and POAL

October 14, 2008

Have I mentioned I'm a Peace Corp volunteer blog stalker?

Surely I have, that is why I have started one...to serve back into the Universe information that I am currently feeding off of...

Anyway, today during my daily feed of a new person's blog (from 2006 mind you...) He keeps mentioning how he had his MMR shot, but the PC Med office wants verification. First of all it took him 3 months to get this information and now he has to find the paperwork. My paperwork is going to be in St. Louis with my Pediatrician. I wonder how hard that is going to be to find. I thought I was in the clear since my Doc was so cool and took my word for it...but oh the thorough ladies and gents of the PC want cold hard proof. I just want to turn in a complete packet so there doesn't have to be a lot of back and forth...waiting months and months only to hear you need to turn on something else is going to stress me out, I already know.

One of the Returned Volunteers from the dinner on Sunday said it took her 2 years to go through the medical clearance cause she kept sending her stuff incomplete and one thing at a time instead of sending it all together and completed. So I def do not have two years to be going through this!

So, I'm going to have to do some digging on the Plan of Action List (POAL)
1)I need to find my long lost pediatricians office to see if they have records of my immunizations...if not worse case, just go back and get another shot, my doctor rocks and his shots don't hurt. See I sound like such a G, being all nonchalant about getting another (this would be my 5th) shot! This is definitely a first. Maybe I am hardcore enough for the Peace Corps

2)I did email my recruiter and immediately got an away message she was out thurs, friday and monday....so she definitely has more important things to do than to respond to my rather wordy email. Especially since I don't really ask for any type of response necessarily, only if she has suggestions or insights...so yeah...probably won't hear from her...but I'm hope I do...

3)I need to also find records of my past 3 PAPs to show they were normal... (is that TMI? Sorry, I'm just trying to give helpful info!) I also need to get my OB to sign off on my PAP for two months ago... She's really flaky and may not do it (like in the same fashion as her not returning my phone calls in the first place about this...) In fact that's going to be a real headache its going to be itemized as #4

I could do it today, but my phone is broken...I at least have my Dr. follow up appointment Thurs and Dentist on the 25th...

Keepin it movin...

Easy Breezy Dr. Visit

October 13, 2008

Alright, so today I had my most dreaded doctor's appointment. It just snuck up on me! When I had set my goal weeks previous, I was just settin appointments left and right...well golly gee whiz man, who knew the dentist was going to be so much drama and now this!

Well how wrong was I, praise God! This visit was pretty seamless! I couldn't believe it! I went to see my sister's doctor and he's AMAZING he is so funny and cute and focused, he was just the absolute best. I was aaallll jitters about getting all of those tests and blood drawn... he didn't hurt me a BIT! It was awesome, he drew my blood so fast, he was so patient going through all of my paper work with me, and he was so quick to sign off on all of it! lol I was so happy. He's my favorite...what am I going to get him for Christmas...hmmm...not sure..but something he's the best. So I got my TB shot, Polio shot, all the blood drawn for all the tests (at least I hope, I have heard horror stories), I have had my MMS test already so I'm good there..(again I hope), had my urinalysis and I think that's it. He said I'm in excellent physical condition (finally some good news!) and that I am to come back this Thursday to go over the results of my TB test and so we can send of the correct lab results (he took my sugar and cholesterol as well). The only thing about coming back is he's going out of town, so I had to make an appointment with his son, who seemed totally and completely unenthused about the whole thing. It's okay though.

I'm hopeful because, not only did it go smoothly, OH my insurance paid for everything, I didn't come off a DIME! (Imma need my dentist office to Get.it.to.geth.er!) Man, now I forgot what I was saying cause I'm trippin off how much moolah I spent at the dentist..oh oh being hopeful..right..happy thoughts.. I'm hopeful because I know that you have to bug your doctors a lot to sign something they missed, or D.C. may want more information or more tests, or what have you, my doctor is really patient and kind and gets it and knows I'm in good condition, so I can picture myself running to his office getting something signed and being able to send something out the same day. So I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly that went. Maybe I will set the goal to get all my dental work completed by the end of this year so that I can send off my paper work by January.

Next steps...
I really should email my recruiter to keep her up to speed with my progress...aaannnddd maybe drop some hints about Spanish speaking... (if it's meant to be it'll be)

I have another Denstist appointment on the 25th (I'm looking at it as appointment 2 out of 3..so that's good)

Oh I still need to holler at my OB to fill out some paper work, I just had an exam at the beginning of the summer so I'm hoping she'll just fill out the paper work that everything came out normal.

In other life related news, my job that I have been temping for the past year and half is ending this friday...Holy Unpaid Medical Bills Batman!

Yeah, it'll work out, all at the right time (which is aaaannnyyy minute now, looking at naked wrist where watch should be...)

So, excited to see what's around this next corner....

Appointment and Cavities and Costs! Oh MY!

October 11, 2008

Okay, so even thought I wasn't sure where the money was going to come from, I set my dentist and doctor appointment pretty much right after I got my packet. I gave myself the deadline of having that task done by the end of that week...

So my dentist appointment was today and I have my doctors appointment on Monday.

Well lets back up..

2 things...I hard that the medical clearance is expensive so I had to ask my dad if I could use my emergency card (the card we share that are strictly for emergencies only) for these medical expenses. He said okay, even though he is having a tough financial time right now. I was feeling bad about it, but really I shouldn't because I shouldn't be expecting him to pay a penny of it! Right? Right! Well, I just found out MY assignment at work could possibly be ending next week...hmmmm...so I have no clue where my money is gonna be comin from if that really happens....so that's just some background...

NOW, today, I go to the dentist knowing that I will probably need a tooth pulled eventually and that was going to be that on that....

Um how bout no...

Why did I have 9!!!!!!! 9!!!! NINE Cavities!!
What in the?

I mean I brush!!! twice a day!
I know weak teeth run in the fam a bit..and I know I have been killing the sugar this past year...seriously my job keeps the candy bars flowin and I always come back for more..

Granted my dentist said some of these "cavities" are not real cavities and are more or less surface grooves...but in the interest of joining the Peace Corp I should get them all filled so I'm set for the next two years...

Oh and he agrees my third impacted molar...while painless....should come out...

So I don't even want to talk about what my bill is going to be..

Insurance you ask? Yeah I believe I get a free cleaning and that's it...We'll see...
Because on top of everything, they couldn't pull up my insurance information so I had to come out of pocket today...and then on Monday they will have to file with my insurance and then refund me. The most I may get refunded is 70 bucks for the cleaning... a VERY small dent in the grand bill! I will most definitely be applying for the reimbursement that Peace Corp offers for this.

So today I ended up getting all the work done on my right side which was...what...five cavities or something ridiculous like that...a cleaning and headache!

Charged it to the game and now I gotta see how I'm gonna pay for it...It'll work out...

I have an appointment on the 25th to get the other cavities taken care of and then I don't know sometime after that I will get my wisdom tooth pulled..it may not even happen before December...but we shall see....

This really has me diving in deep ya know?
I was still considering myself a person still "deciding" on whether or not I'm going...
but man when you drop this kind of dough...you're going...

We'll see, I still have that legal hold...and I have not been given any further information on that.

Tomorrow is a Peace Corp Potluck dinner so I can't wait to pick the brains of all the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers! I hope everyone else has similar stories to mine!