Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - , , , 0 comments

Dental Clearance!

I love waking up to an email from Peace Corps saying that my Application Toolkit has been updated :)


Medical Packet has been received and Dental and Legal Evaluations are complete (“There are no holds on your account at this time.”)


Just waiting for the rest of my Medical Packet to be cleared and then it’s on to the next step! Crossing my fingers!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - , , , 0 comments

New AIDS prevention drug shows promising results

shortformblog:



Headway in the fight against HIV: A drug called Truvada is effective in preventing AIDS contraction up to 73% of the time, according to two new studies carried out in Africa. The drug has been tested before with less stellar results, but researchers now suspect the earlier study may have been flawed. The catch with preventative drugs, of course, is that you have to remember to take them before the risk presents itself, but still, this is great news. source


Read ShortFormBlogFollow


Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 0 comments

peacecorps: A public service message from President John F. Kennedy in the oval office to help recruit Peace Corps Volunteers in the early 1960s. (Thanks, ourpresidents, for the nice shout out! This one’s for you.)

[youtube=[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOQ85OEZhWg&w=425&h=349]]
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - , , , 0 comments

Medical Packet has been sent in...

I had my mom look over the whole packet just to make sure that I got everything I needed.


HOPEFULLY I did everything right the first time and I’ll be getting my Medical, shortly followed by my Legal, clearance ASAP!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 - , , , 0 comments

June 27: Peace Corps Tumblr

June 27: Peace Corps Tumblr

hardcorpscarli:



The Peace Corps officially has a tumblr! They are sharing PCVs’ stories, posts and photos as well as some upcoming events that they will be hosting. Join in :)


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June 27: National HIV Testing Day

June 27: National HIV Testing Day

hardcorpscarli:



Go to the link to see how you can get involved:


  • Find a testing center near you

  • Learn about awareness campaigns

  • Become involved in fighting against HIV/AIDS

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June 5: 30 years of AIDS moments to remember

June 5: 30 years of AIDS moments to remember

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the CDC’s announcement of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This is a slideshow of the disease throughout the years. Also, feel free to browse the website to see organizations that you can donate to.


As always, I’m a supporter of the Colorado AIDS Project, a non-profit that helps those living with HIV/AIDS, and those at risk, to make healthy choices for a self sufficient, enhanced quality of life. CAP provides innovative, individualized services to those most in need, educates high risk populations, and advocates for social and health care equity.



CAP empowers those living with or at risk of HIV to live healthier, enhanced lives by providing two different sets of services.

May 24: Volunteering, Volunteering...

It’s GREAT so far! Everyone here at CAP is super nice and very helpful. At the time being, I’m working front desk.


This is going to be the start of a great experience for me! :)


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May 23: Limiting the Options...

After some research on the Peace Corps Wiki website, it looks like I am probably going to be going to Guatemala or Nicaragua for my service. In years past, the missions leaving in January go to those two Spanish speaking countries.


Cool! 


(I’d have preferred South America, but I’ll take what I can get!)


Now…let’s keep our fingers crossed for Nicaragua!!!


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May 10: OFFICIAL NOMINATION!!!

As I was leaving my second to last final today (my LAST is on Thursday), I looked and saw I had a missed call from a number I did not recognize, as well as a new voicemail. 


“Hello, this is Linda calling from the Peace Corps. We just want to congratulate on your nomination to a health extension program leaving in January 2012 in South and Central America!”


YAY!!!




I’m so excited :D


Now the anticipation: What will I be doing? Where will I go? 


Let’s play the waiting game…

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hardcorpscarli:



!!!!!!!!!!!


Such a nice thing to wake up to on a Friday morning :D


April 19: AIDS Walk Colorado

April 19: AIDS Walk Colorado

As you may recall, I have participated in this event before, but only as a community event for the dorms as a Resident Assistant. This time, however, I’m participating not only as a volunteer, but as a runner, and I’m trying to raise $500 for this organization.


I am volunteering with the Colorado AIDS Project for the Peace Corps, but this cause has grown into something I will and continue to fight for. Not only do I strive to help people raise money, but I personally want to raise money myself to make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. 

This event is August 13, 2011 (116 days)


If you would like to donate and help sponsor me for AIDS Walk Colorado and join me in the fight just click HERE to visit my personal fundraising web page.


ANY AMOUNT WOULD BE APPRECIATED! 

Can’t make an online donation? Download the Donation Form 
HERE and send it to:


Colorado AIDS Project
Attn: Chris Parrish
2490 W. 26th Avenue
Suite A300
Denver, CO 80211 


Thanks everyone :D


April 8: I'm Officially CAP Volunteer Certified!

hardcorpscarli:



Bring on those volunteer hours!



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March 18: My First “Peace Corps Journal” Blog Post

March 18: My First “Peace Corps Journal” Blog Post

I have previously posted about my thoughts about the Peace Corps on my main blog (in which I mostly discuss health/fitness/randomness related posts) and what my future may hold.


Here’s the first and last (aka my only two) posts about my interest in the Peace Corps.


Upon looking at the Peace Corps Journal website, I figure I should start my own blog about my process and experience of hopefully becoming a PCV. 


My process up till now:


✔ Application Form Complete
✔ Health Status Review (HSR) Form Complete
✔ Fingerprint Forms
✔ Agency Check Form
✔ References Forms
✔ Volunteer Interview 


Based on my interview, according to my recruiter, I may be best suited for health or youth/community development based projects. Honestly, those were the two programs I was most interested in! I have to do a few more community service hours with the Colorado AIDS Project to be a competitive applicant for the health program, which I’m hoping to complete sooner rather than later. My recruiter said that he’s ready to nominate me NOW but I want to finish my hours with CAP so I can be a more, all-around competitive applicant. 


Other than that? I know Spanish, but I’m really flexible and can go anywhere. It’d be cool to be placed in a country that spoke a language that is completely new to me, I feel like that’s part of the experience! Whether that is in Latin America or Eastern Europe, it’d be exciting!


Here’s to anticipating and taking the next step!