To infinity and beyond...

So here's my status so far:

Tonight - Peace Corps application about to be submitted

Wed. Jan 28 - meeting with my professor to get some advice about establishing Our Voices, the refugee organization I 'proposed' last semester

Feb 7th - Taking the Foreign Service Officer Test


Back-up plan: Traineeship


I think it would be an incredible challenge to establish Our Voices, and amazingly rewarding if I pull it off, but part of me feels it might be better to get some more field experience before I start creating something potentially controversial in potentially dangerous and/or unstable locations. (hence the peace corps option)

These next two weeks will likely have a significant influence as to which direction I'll decide to commit to. Commitment of this nature has always been an issue for me. The Foreign Service is something I've always debated with myself, whether or not that's the avenue I really want to go. It was my initial career goal in studying international affairs and still holds some appeal, plus taking the test would be a helpful experience. I doubt I'll pass, but who knows?

All I know is that being stuck in a cubicle, biding my time with menial tasks, is not someplace I want to be. Not unless I know it's a necessary step toward a long-term goal, which is not yet the case.

"We'll see," said the Zen Master

New Year's Resolutions:

1. Establish Our Voices, the organization I proposed last semester
2. Get a well paying job this semester to earn and (more importantly) save money
3. Use said money for travel and/or OV (or perhaps travel for OV)
4. Reconnect with old friends
5. Stay focused

Entering 2009 is very different from 2008. In 2008 I knew where I would be throughout the year, or at least where I would end up. 2009 is very open-ended. It's exciting and unnerving at the same time, but I guess that means that this is going to be a very pivotal year in terms of starting down a new path. The OV project is definitely my goal, there is too much behind it and too much potential not to try now. That is the only thing that has really been clear.

That and more traveling. There are so many places I still want to go to, so many I really want to experience. It's going to be a challenge to decide when, where, and how long I can give to each place as well as finding the means to do so. But like most of my traveling, at least travel for travel's sake, the opportunities will present themselves as they come.

PS I just saw Slumdog Millionaire. It was fantastic, like super fantastic. SEE IT!