Teeth Cleared Quickly

So, by tracking our medical packet, I know that it arrived at the Peace Corps office at 9:33am on Thursday the 26th. By the end of that same day, the PC had not only recorded our submission, but had actually reveiwed and cleared our dental! Not bad for the utimate bureaucracy. Of course it's the medical component that seems to cause the greatest grief for applicants. Still, it was nice to see that they had really moved on it.

I'm optimistic that the medical will get reveiwed quickly, I just hope there are no items that limit or make us cleared with contingency. In the coming week I'll probably call the medical screening assistant just to ensure they aren't going to need extra stuff from Katie... It would definately slow us down if they ask for something after she has left for Guatemala.

Peace Corps Medical Sent

Well, it has been a month in the making, but this evening we finally sent the reams of paper back to the Peace Corps medical staff, so that they can review and decide if we are fit. Mostly, it was all another test. Not that they don't need to know all of this stuff about their volunteers, they just do it in such a way that it provides ample opportunity to make small, seemingly insignificant mistakes.

Trying to get your doctor to actually read directions, or follow them, is apparently a highly sought after skill for PC volunteers. Better yet, just try to get them to fill in information (or at least an N/A) about things that don't apply to you. Thanks to our managed health care system, they enter the room like a quick order chef looking at the next ticket... getting them to pause and write an explanation...not part of what our insurance companies want to pay for.

The advantage you have is that most doctors are apparently under the impression tha the PC is a "noble" thing to do, so they are willing to pay a bit more attention to you. Actually, all sarcasm aside, my doctor really did go out of his way to help me. He had done a lot of overseas volunteer doctor work early on in his career, he was excited to help me on my way.

So, finally, the proverbial ball is out of our court, now in the capable hand of UPS (we wanted a tracking number, so the business reply freebie envelope the PC provides was not an option). On Thursday morning, the medical staff will have it...and the clock starts ticking on their end.

Quit Jobs, Check. Sell House, Check.

So, it seems appropriate to start out our official BLOG with a post documenting the actions that start the new life. Katie gave her notice last week, I gave mine yesterday. The house was put on the market on Saturday, January 14th, and we got an offer the following Monday, countered on Tuesday, they signed on Thursday...and we are in escrow!

I know it could all still fall apart, but I don't think it will. It feels like a sincere offer, and the house is a good one, and shouldn't have any unexpected deal breaking items. If it all goes right, we will be homeless starting the 23rd of February. With that in mind we made another purchase today, a cellular phone. Big deal most will say, everyone else already has one, but for us it is a big deal...really...

Also created a new e-mail account, since we will lose our Comcast account soon, as well as creating our BLOG. So, I guess this is the first day that it is all really starting to feel like it is all happening.