In which Alisa is completely overwhelmed and procrastinates (what's new?):

I'll probably (maybe) delete this entry once I'm set to leave because it's just going to be a really boring list of all of the stuff I need to get done in order to you know, actually leave.

So, list!:

1. Send passport off ASAP
2. Finish aspiration statement of doom ASAP
3. Fill out legal paperwork
4. Fill out press packet (joining Peace Corps is a little like becoming a minor celebrity, except for the part where it's totally not)
5. Clean up files at work
6. Do all the work stuff I was planning on doing as a "learning exercise" with my replacement since there will be no time to train them.
7. Write a document that tells my replacement how to do everything
8. Find my lease and see if I need to pay rent for February or not (let's cross our fingers for not)
9. Further look into U-haul/storage/movers stuff
10. Start buying some of the crap on my epic packing list
11. Make photo albums of all your lovely faces and my ugly mug
12. Organize my stuff so I know what to get rid of/pack
13. CLEAN ALL THE THINGS
14. Burn some awesome cds --
      -- side note: I found the best local DC band EVER and of course this is right before I leave.
          http://www.myspace.com/themoderate - listen to Chapel Hill or any of the songs listed
          really and you're welcome.
15. Take some self defense at some point?
16. LEARN ANOTHER FOX NEWS LANGUAGE. Darija why are you so difficult... and guttural sounding? 
17. Get student loan deferment forms
18. Do something with my one bajillion Bikram passes. Hi there, Stanley. :)
19. Fill out the power of attorney stuff and make a living will. Don't freak out, Mom. 
20. Cancel subscriptions (tanning, netflix, I think that might be it...)
21. Oh! Go tanning (shuttup! I don't want to deal with a sunburn on top of having to poop in a hole).
22. Change address for everything ever, dear lord.
23. Stuff my face with bacon and alcohol. I'm like 100% sure this one will get done.
24. Get addresses! Send me your addresses please?
25. Other stuff I am sure I'm forgetting...

In which Alisa is a neurotic sap monster:

First, I cannot belive how amazing everyone has been. It really makes this whole Peace Corps thing a little bittersweet. From the notoriously grumpy old man at work who did a little dance when he found out I got in, to the old co-worker who now works for Peace Corps getting to process my invitation and write me a good luck note in my info packet (how many other Volunteers can say that?!), to my wonderful, wonderful friends who have been the definition of support (I know, so sappy!), and to my parents who are trying their hardest to be excited for me despite their many reservations. I honestly thought people would just be like, "Oh. Okay. Peace out!" and I have been proven so very wrong. And it helps so much to have this support to think back on when I have my occasional moments of "Oh, god. WHAT HAVE I DONE." Because this is for real, y'all. Like for real, for real. Like I have officially quit my job and gave notice on my apartment real. Ohmygod, you guys.

Second, I made a packing list in Excel. It has 3 tabs and over 120 rows. I spent 4 hours on it. I also left off underwear. I am terribly afraid this will be indicative of my time in Morocco.

Third, I've been reading up on Health Volunteers in Morocco and it kind of sounds like they get the short end of the stick. While most Moroccan Volunteers can expect electricity, internet access, or running water if not all three, Health Volunteers are warned that will probably not be the case for them. This explains why I can find no blogs written by Health Volunteers. They're too busy pooping in a hole (like I'd forget about that) in the dark to walk the however many Fox News (see what I did there, Mom?) miles it takes them to get to a village with internet. So this blog might come to an abrupt end come mid-March. I've decided I'll poop in a hole if I have to, but after only three posts I've become a little attached to this blog writing business. Here's hoping I won't have to give it up.

Fourth, I am apparently expected to already be working on my Darija. So fair warning, I will probably be harrassing you all with my pathetic Southern-girl attempts at Arabic in the coming weeks. Enjoy!

In which Alisa is officially Moroccan and a rollin':

March 16th, 2011, a tbd village (fingers crossed for Essaouira) in Morocco, y'all.

Edit: Haha, Peace Corps was just kidding. They really meant March 15th, with me flying out to staging on the 13th. No biggie, PC. I didn't need those extra three days or anything. It's not like I have to pack, move, unpack, buy a bunch of crap, pack again for two years, and say goodbye to all my friends and family in less than two weeks. Oh, wait....

In which Alisa is (finally!) accepted into the Peace Corps:

After one failed application, three years of waiting, and six years of wanting, I have finally been accepted into the Peace Corps. I'll be leaving either the second or third week of March to (most likely) Morocco and will be doing some kind of health education work.

I am excited. I am. But I am also freaking the f out. Mid-March is a mere 59 days away. That's less than two months, less than nine weeks, 59 DAYS to quit my job and help my boss hire/train a new assistant, pack up and schlep all my crap from DC back to Bristol, and try to pack for 2+ years. Like I said, freaking the f out.

I've also done a little research and discovered I will most likely be staying in a wee village as opposed to a cosmopolitan city like Casablanca or Marrakesh. Wee villages mean turkish toilets and bucket baths. Like I said, I am excited for Peace Corps, but this has pretty much been my reaction since finding out I've been accepted: "Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. I'm going to have to poop in a hole. Can I poop in a hole? Okay, I can poop in a hole, obviously. But can I poop in a hole for two years? Ohmygodohmygodohmygod... I'm going to have to poop in a hole." I may or may not have started doing squats in preparation (hint: I am totally doing squats in preparation).




Umm... I think that's it for now. I'll probably write more when I get more details and probably also to continue freaking out about pooping in a hole.

PS
Stan, if you're reading this, I apologize for offending your fragile sensibilities.

PPS
Mom, if you're reading this, f stands for Fox News.