Peace Corps Ukraine Group 38!

Hello All!

So, I have had some time to digest my invite for Peace Corps Ukraine group 38 and I couldn't be more excited! Whoohoo! This is going to be awesome! I will be working in the area of Community Development which means I might end up doing just about anything which is just fine by me. I also don't know where in Ukraine I will serve which is strangely ok with me. At this point, I am down for whatever. I just can't wait to start experiencing new things, learn a new language, meet awesome people, and just start living life to the fullest (as cheesy as that sounds). Working at Fidelity investments over the last 3+ years has made me realize how easy it is to slip into a routine and become content with life even though you might not be doing what you want to do with your life. I am done with that. Never again! That's not to say that I don't value my time spent at Fidelity - its just past due for some change.

Right now I just got home from buying a new laptop for the Peace Corps. Awesome. Now I can Blog-a-log all I want. Who knows, maybe someday I will tell my friends and family about this blog. lol So far I have not told anyone because I was not sure how I felt about blogging. Post a personal journal on the web for everyone to see? huh...kinda pretentious. But strangely cool. Good way to keep in touch anywho.

I don't leave tell March 29, 2010 but I have already started to study Ukrainian and Russian so that I am not a complete idiot when I arrive. Wow it is tough though. Spanish was a walk in the park compared to this. But considering that I will need to help and work with a community that will expect a lot from me, I better get started now. Anywho, I am off watch a Ukrainian movie.

Cheers!

-Conor

Wow!

Wow! Ukraine! ... Wow...little overwhelmed at the moment. I need some time to digest this then hopefully I will have something more to say on this blog than simply "Wow"!!!

Things are going to get very interesting. Hello adventure! How's it going opportunity? What's up "next chapter of my life?"

Awesome!!!

Patiently Blogging

Well...nothing new from the Peace Corp at the moment but I thought I would post for the hell of it. A lot has happened this summer while I have been patiently waiting for the Peace Corp to come to fruition. So far this summer I have visited my sister, her husband, and 18 mo old baby in Montana - which was awesome though for the life of me I cannot convince my sister that I had a great time because she seems to think there was too much idle time because her baby (Logan) was a bit sick so we couldn't go out much. Erin - if you are reading this, I sincerely had a great time and I will always enjoy spending time with you guys regardless of what we do.

After Montana I visited my Bro in San Diego for his birthday and to support him in his first Marathon. Another great time tho I was surprised how expensive San Diego was - for 2 beers downtown it cost $16. Shiza

After that, I flew to Kansas/Missouri to spend a week on a lake with my family which was also awesome to see some family members that I have not see for quite a while and nice to have a full week away from work and the stock market. We will have to do that again real soon.

Then to get away from the riggers of spending time with family jk : ), I drove up to Wyoming to camp for 5 days with some old friends from college for July 4th. Always great to spend time with those guys - It makes me realize how much I have changed and forces me to just cut loose and be myself which usually gets me a few cuts a bruises along the way. Truely an unforgettalbe time and if any of you guys are bored out of your mind and reading this post(you must be bored if you have read this far), I miss all of you. We need to get togeather more often. Make sure you comment so I know someone is actually reading this thing.

It has been an awesome summer so far even if work has kinda got me down lately and virtually all of the 3 weeks of vacation is used up- it was worth it. : ( The constant daydreaming of serving in the Peace Corp will hopefully be enough to get through those long days at work. How can you possibly beat having a job description of like that of a Peace Corp Volunteer? Absolutely awesome. Come on PC! Lets get this ball rolling!

Well, other than the last few trips that I have taken, I have still been kickboxing a few times a week which I am really enjoying despite the sore Jaw, burst ear drumb, and bruised ribs, legs and feet. It is a good time and I absoluetly love being in a ring with a buddy and seeing what I am made of. Good stuff. I have also been volunteering with the IRC (International Rescue Committee) and have been enjoying it emencely though it is making me want to be in the Peace Corp right NOW! I have been working with a Bhutanese family helping them with whatever they need or want. I has been really fun - expecially learning a little bit of their culture. I am teaching the Mom and Dad how to drive and will be going to a Hindu temple with them tomorrow. They are great people and I look forward to getting to know them better.

Ok, well I have rambled on long enough for one post. I will try and attach some pictures.

Peace!

-Conor

Conor Status

Hello all,
Well, nothing much to report at this time. I mailed the results of my medical and dental evaluations on 3/11/09 and am waiting to hear back from the PC at this point. It took a good 5 weeks to complete the medical exams - complete with 10 hours of dental work. Ouch! I have pretty good teeth however my dentist wanted to fill everything just to be safe. Definitely a good idea. I was nominated for Eastern Europe/Central Asia with an estimated departure of 3/2010. Awesome! Though far too long to wait : ( So while I have been waiting for the PC, I have moved into a new place and will soon be studying for the GMAT so that I can go into grad school after the PC. I have also been progressing nicely in kickboxing and am getting in pretty good shape. Well, that is all for now. I just wanted to give an update and hopefully I will hear back from the PC soon. Reading blogs from current PCVs is making me very anxious to start my adventure.

The Beginning

This is my first blog। My intentions are to document my travels, experiences, and to post whatever is on my mind - nothing more nothing less। I hope this will keep my peeps up to date on what I am doing and perhaps more importantly it will help me weave a more consistent strand of thoughts throughout my experiences. Last week I applied to be a volunteer in the Peace Corp. I see it as an opportunity to live life to the fullest, leave a positive note in someone's reality, and to grow as person. The application process is a long long process and it typically takes 9 - 12 months before you are actually serving in a foreign country. So in the meantime I will continue working as an International Trader and do whatever it is I do - which at the moment is Kick Boxing at http://www.thaiboxutah.com/ Hopefully I get accepted into the Peace Corp cuz if not, this is going to be a pretty lame Blog.