I just finished my resume and aspirational statement. Those were pretty tough to narrow down what expereiences to include, or what exactly to say. Most of the questions read something like list "all professional and volunteer experience relevant to your proposed assignment..." I do know what, in vague description, I will do on a daily basis, but how to I verbalize my past life experiences that I believe will aid me in the Peace Corps. Once I am serving, I'll be able to list more than enough information; because I will know more in depth what my job will consist of.
In any case, here is my answer to the final section of the aspirational statement. This part asked "how (do) you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends."
My answer:
If I had not decided to join the Peace Corps, and was not accepted to serve, I would have pursued a position as a federal law enforcement officer, or a state police officer. I have worked since 2003 as a bounty hunter, pursuing criminals across state lines, and returning them to Oklahoma to face charges in the court of law. I earned a degree in Criminal Justice, and own a private investigation/armed security agency. This has been the only career path that I have had any interest in for almost 10 years now. I have always wanted to help people that are in need, and have used my positions of leadership in my communities to do so. Joining the Peace Corps has been a dream of mine since 2003, and I decided that I should follow this dream at this point in my life; before I begin a career in law enforcement. The only variable that I cannot account for in this plan is how much serving the Peace Corps will change my values, or core motivation in life. I am open to the idea that I may decide after service that volunteer or humanitarian work is exactly what I want to spend my life doing. It is also possible that I decide to pursue international politics in an effort to aid the people of the world; or I may even want to return to the United States and continue my original plans of a career in law enforcement. I expect the next 27 months in Mozambique will have a huge impact on my life, but at this point I do not know how great the impact will be. So, post-service, I will have to see where life takes me based on the changes I experience during service and decide at that time what the next chapter in my life will be.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Cofee and Conversation
I emailed my Grandma last night and asked her to give me a call this morning so we could just run around together. Being in college and so active on campus for so long I haven't had much down time to just follow grandma around.
So, what does my grandma do on a semi-typical day?
Phone call at 8:20 am. "Hi Greg, I'll be there to pick you up at 9." I giggled and groaned because I wanted more sleep, but my ride was coming, so it was time to get moving. Well, after a 20 minute snooze. No rush right?
Gma has had problems with her left eye, so we went to get a cat-scan on her nasal passage for the Dr. to evaluate, and hopefully find a way to eliminate the pressure builing up behind her eye. After that we went to the track on Tinker AFB. She said she walks the track 2 or 3 times a week. Just one lap around, but she was tired after that one lap. Its just enough to keep her joints and muscles working properly. While walking, she told me that today was Gpa's 74th birthday!! So I suggested we surprise him for lunch. We went to Target to get a card for him, and had about 2 hrs to burn before noon. So I asked gma if she wanted to grab coffee at Starbucks. We went there and had coffee and went over my peace corps packet together. We talked about a lot of stuff while sitting there. We made our way to see gpa, but he already had lunch, so we stood and chatted, gave him the card, and headed out for lunch at Pearls. Then, back home for a nap. I was pretty tired.
That was the first time Gma and I have spent time sipping coffee together and just chatting. It was really nice. I often have coffee and conversation with friends or to get to know a new aquaintence, but not often with my family members. I think I'll do this as much as possible from now on. It's a very simple, slow, and great way to spend your time. Try it.
I have three more USA trips planned outside of Oklahoma before Mozambique. Saturday I'm taking the train to Dallas and will spend the weekend with JP. Monday I fly out to CO for a week to see Travis, and then September 10th I'll be in San Diego with Janelle and Donna until the 13th. I'll have my plane ticket booked for staging for peace corps around the 1st week of September. I think I'll probably fly out on the 27th, because orientation is on the 28th. I'm not possitive, but that makes the most sense to me.
I'll have a going away party with friends, and then probably one last BBQ with the family right before I go. My cousin Toya is supposed to be planning something for me with her side of the family, and I also will meet up with www.aswedolife.com once more after returning from San Diego.
There is a ton of stuff that I need to make sure I have for Africa. I bought a hiking bag, and a pair of Tevas, but I still need to pick up some good hiking shoes, and a pair of athletic shoes. Other than that, I'll need to buy a few new pair of jeans, jean shorts, button up shirts, t shirts, socks, undies, and other clothing that will be durable and able to last for a good ammount of time. My clothes have to be practical and able to withstand the elements. Things will all fall into place soon as the countdown to Mozambique gets smaller.
So, what does my grandma do on a semi-typical day?
Phone call at 8:20 am. "Hi Greg, I'll be there to pick you up at 9." I giggled and groaned because I wanted more sleep, but my ride was coming, so it was time to get moving. Well, after a 20 minute snooze. No rush right?
Gma has had problems with her left eye, so we went to get a cat-scan on her nasal passage for the Dr. to evaluate, and hopefully find a way to eliminate the pressure builing up behind her eye. After that we went to the track on Tinker AFB. She said she walks the track 2 or 3 times a week. Just one lap around, but she was tired after that one lap. Its just enough to keep her joints and muscles working properly. While walking, she told me that today was Gpa's 74th birthday!! So I suggested we surprise him for lunch. We went to Target to get a card for him, and had about 2 hrs to burn before noon. So I asked gma if she wanted to grab coffee at Starbucks. We went there and had coffee and went over my peace corps packet together. We talked about a lot of stuff while sitting there. We made our way to see gpa, but he already had lunch, so we stood and chatted, gave him the card, and headed out for lunch at Pearls. Then, back home for a nap. I was pretty tired.
That was the first time Gma and I have spent time sipping coffee together and just chatting. It was really nice. I often have coffee and conversation with friends or to get to know a new aquaintence, but not often with my family members. I think I'll do this as much as possible from now on. It's a very simple, slow, and great way to spend your time. Try it.
I have three more USA trips planned outside of Oklahoma before Mozambique. Saturday I'm taking the train to Dallas and will spend the weekend with JP. Monday I fly out to CO for a week to see Travis, and then September 10th I'll be in San Diego with Janelle and Donna until the 13th. I'll have my plane ticket booked for staging for peace corps around the 1st week of September. I think I'll probably fly out on the 27th, because orientation is on the 28th. I'm not possitive, but that makes the most sense to me.
I'll have a going away party with friends, and then probably one last BBQ with the family right before I go. My cousin Toya is supposed to be planning something for me with her side of the family, and I also will meet up with www.aswedolife.com once more after returning from San Diego.
There is a ton of stuff that I need to make sure I have for Africa. I bought a hiking bag, and a pair of Tevas, but I still need to pick up some good hiking shoes, and a pair of athletic shoes. Other than that, I'll need to buy a few new pair of jeans, jean shorts, button up shirts, t shirts, socks, undies, and other clothing that will be durable and able to last for a good ammount of time. My clothes have to be practical and able to withstand the elements. Things will all fall into place soon as the countdown to Mozambique gets smaller.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Peace Corps Assignment
Posted on Facebook Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 6:30pm
It's almost completely official now. I have to call in and accept my assignment! World Cup in South Africa..party at my Peace Corps house and road trip down! Anyone want to come?
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Country:
Mozambique
Program:
Health & HIV/AIDS Capacity Building Project
Job Title:
Community Health Promoter
Dates of Service:
December 13, 2009– December 13, 2011*
Orientation Dates:
September 28-29, 2009*
Pre-Service Training
(in Mozambique): October 12, 2009 –
December 12, 2009 *
*dates subject to change
http://www.peacecorps.gov/
The Right Thing
Posted on Facebook Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 8:06pm
On my way back from Little Rock, my brother and I stopped at a gas station/McDonalds. I found a wallet in the restroom. When I came out, I couldn't find the owner of it, but I had his driver’s license and knew I could find him. I drove home with it, and as soon as I unpacked, I called him. He had $350 in his wallet and a ton of other id cards that are extremely important. The conversation was brief, but he was very excited to know that I was going to mail him the wallet and that none of his money was missing.
In the envelope, I wrote him a note that I believe one act of kindness can inspire a 2nd; and that the 2nd act can inspire a 3rd, until we have a ripple effect across human kind.
Here is the email he sent me today.
Greg,
My wife and I are so thankful for your honesty. We ourselves are believers of good deeds inspiring others. I have a story to share with you that confirms our beliefs.. We were out eating and had finished our meal. Asking for our ticket the waitress informs us that it had been paid already. She then showed us were the couple had been sitting. Neither one of us had known or even spoken to them before. We sat a minute and then felt that we should pay for the next couple that sat there, so we did. The young waitress was in total shock and the look on her face was worth it all. She couldn't wait to see if the ripple of kindness would continue after we left. I believe it did and has returned to us in this very situation.
In my line of work I have the opportunity to help alot of people and love doing it. It is my passion and is what I've wanted to do my whole life. In situations like this you can only hope that all the sowing of good you have done will produce a blessing. It definitely has this time, a great one. It is an awesome feeling knowing that there are still good people among all the corruption in society today. Again we are so grateful and pray that God bless you today and everyday.
Sincerely,
Brad A. Foster
P.S. Our three children thank you lots.:)
http://www.aswedolife.com/my-lost-wallet
Hope: Found around the world
Posted on Facebook Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 8:55am
Lebanon is much different than what anyone from the states could imagine. The people are friendly for the most part (i say for the most part because they cant drive worth a crap). The food is amazing, the atmosphere is pretty laid back. To the west is a beach, to the east is a mountain, both are within a 29 minute drive from pretty much anywehere in the country.
The one thing that I did not expect from the people is the political stances and engagement. What I mean by this is that in the USA, Hizbollah is depicted as a terrorist organization. That is not exactly the way they are viewed by the people of Lebanon. When Israel bombed Beirut, the Hizbollah went and paid for peoples rent, gave them food, rebuilt schools, and did a lot for the people that were innocently harmed. I guess it goes back to the age old saying that one mans terrorist is another mans hero. It just depends on the side fo the fence you stand I suppose.
The political engagement I have witnessed is in the youth. There is the Orange party (supported by the Hizbollah) and the Red party (Pro-american). Both sides have capitilized on the support of teenagers and young adults. They show their support by driving in convoys of cars 20 plus deep, waving their parties flag, playing music, chanting different things or honking their horns to two specific melodies. Vice-President Biden was here durign my first week in the country supporting the 14 (red party). The Hizbollah mocked him coming here. US policies in dealing with Lebanon will be shaped based on the outcome of the elections tomorrow. I'll be there with a camera. It should be interesting.
Of course we went out several times in the first couple days we were here. The clubs that we've gone to are more lounge/pub type settings. Groups of friends go out together and basically stick together the entire night. A few times we went with groups, a few times just the two of us. For the most part though, the bar and club scenes here are exactly what you'll find in the USA. Nothing really amazing. The people try to live classy, and the clubs reflect that.
Driving in this country literally makes me sick. The roads are all up and down, sharp left and sharp right, honking every 5 seconds, a relentless amount of pullution, stop and go traffic all across the streets (highways especially). Im used to driving an hour on a smooth wide open road. Here, you'll drive an hour and maybe travel 30 miles, and the entire time you're enclosed by buildings or seconds away from being in a wreck. Literally, I can recall seeing about 3 stop lights that work. This of course does not mean that the people obey them, because they don't. Street lines, maybe a dozen of the roads we've driven on have those. Again, even if they were all lined, the poeple would not obey them.
The police that I have witness stand around or sit on their motorcycles. Sometimes you'll see them at an intesection directing traffic. Maybe half of the people follow the police officers commands. The police force drives Dodge Chargers that were donated by the US government. Apparently we donated an extra 200 recently, and our government demanded that they be distributed this last week, along with a large ceremony. It's a political ploy to gain support from the Lebanese towards the Red party.
The reactions I get when talking politics are that we (the US) has a very bad reputation here because of Bush. The people here literally hate George Bush. President Obama gives them hope. They are sceptical, but realize that he is not like any other president we have had. They like him and say he seems like a good president and a nice man. "Down to earth" is actually one remark I heard. I have a renewed sense of hope for peace around this region of the world, with President Obama. He's new, fresh, different, articulate (which is very important), and he is a hell of a politition. I hope that he can find the happy medium that everyone wants. It is like he'll be walking a mile of tight rope 80 stories off the ground without a safety net. There is no room for mistake. If he offends one country, that could be it. If he takes sides with another country, it could upset a third country. Time will tell, but the report I'm getting from this part of the world is that there truly is hope.
I hope you all forgive me if this note was random ramblings. I just had a minute and thought that I should scratch my thoughts down.
Hope all is well back in the States,
Lebanon is much different than what anyone from the states could imagine. The people are friendly for the most part (i say for the most part because they cant drive worth a crap). The food is amazing, the atmosphere is pretty laid back. To the west is a beach, to the east is a mountain, both are within a 29 minute drive from pretty much anywehere in the country.
The one thing that I did not expect from the people is the political stances and engagement. What I mean by this is that in the USA, Hizbollah is depicted as a terrorist organization. That is not exactly the way they are viewed by the people of Lebanon. When Israel bombed Beirut, the Hizbollah went and paid for peoples rent, gave them food, rebuilt schools, and did a lot for the people that were innocently harmed. I guess it goes back to the age old saying that one mans terrorist is another mans hero. It just depends on the side fo the fence you stand I suppose.
The political engagement I have witnessed is in the youth. There is the Orange party (supported by the Hizbollah) and the Red party (Pro-american). Both sides have capitilized on the support of teenagers and young adults. They show their support by driving in convoys of cars 20 plus deep, waving their parties flag, playing music, chanting different things or honking their horns to two specific melodies. Vice-President Biden was here durign my first week in the country supporting the 14 (red party). The Hizbollah mocked him coming here. US policies in dealing with Lebanon will be shaped based on the outcome of the elections tomorrow. I'll be there with a camera. It should be interesting.
Of course we went out several times in the first couple days we were here. The clubs that we've gone to are more lounge/pub type settings. Groups of friends go out together and basically stick together the entire night. A few times we went with groups, a few times just the two of us. For the most part though, the bar and club scenes here are exactly what you'll find in the USA. Nothing really amazing. The people try to live classy, and the clubs reflect that.
Driving in this country literally makes me sick. The roads are all up and down, sharp left and sharp right, honking every 5 seconds, a relentless amount of pullution, stop and go traffic all across the streets (highways especially). Im used to driving an hour on a smooth wide open road. Here, you'll drive an hour and maybe travel 30 miles, and the entire time you're enclosed by buildings or seconds away from being in a wreck. Literally, I can recall seeing about 3 stop lights that work. This of course does not mean that the people obey them, because they don't. Street lines, maybe a dozen of the roads we've driven on have those. Again, even if they were all lined, the poeple would not obey them.
The police that I have witness stand around or sit on their motorcycles. Sometimes you'll see them at an intesection directing traffic. Maybe half of the people follow the police officers commands. The police force drives Dodge Chargers that were donated by the US government. Apparently we donated an extra 200 recently, and our government demanded that they be distributed this last week, along with a large ceremony. It's a political ploy to gain support from the Lebanese towards the Red party.
The reactions I get when talking politics are that we (the US) has a very bad reputation here because of Bush. The people here literally hate George Bush. President Obama gives them hope. They are sceptical, but realize that he is not like any other president we have had. They like him and say he seems like a good president and a nice man. "Down to earth" is actually one remark I heard. I have a renewed sense of hope for peace around this region of the world, with President Obama. He's new, fresh, different, articulate (which is very important), and he is a hell of a politition. I hope that he can find the happy medium that everyone wants. It is like he'll be walking a mile of tight rope 80 stories off the ground without a safety net. There is no room for mistake. If he offends one country, that could be it. If he takes sides with another country, it could upset a third country. Time will tell, but the report I'm getting from this part of the world is that there truly is hope.
I hope you all forgive me if this note was random ramblings. I just had a minute and thought that I should scratch my thoughts down.
Hope all is well back in the States,
Greetings from the Middle East / Peace Corps update
Posted on Facebook Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 5:56am
Landed in Lebanon last night. Alain and I went to the airport Tuesday morning US Central time at 10:30 am. We had to fly from OKC to Denver, Denver to Chicago, Chicago to London, London to Beruit! We finally landed here in Lebanon (Lebanese local time) Thursday morning at midnight. Well, it was about 20 minutes till midnight, but midnight sounds better.
We were received with hugs and kisses from his mom and dad. We loaded up and came straight to their house. The airport was relatively slow, so there wasn't much hustle or hassle for us t get through the airport. I got my visa to visit, went and waited for our luggage. Luckily my one suitcase came through. All of Alain's luggage came except his golf-clubs. No biggie though. When we left the airport, I looked over to the (I think East) and saw these lights as high as the sky, and as wide as the horizon. I know this makes me sound really small town, but I was lost. I asked him "Shoo Hayda?" <--probably not spelled right, but I can pronounce it right; it means what's that. It's their mountain, and the street lights and house lights all across it. Very beautiful
This morning, we woke up and went to get traditional Lebanese breakfast. It was really good. Lebanese bread with, well, one with cheese, one with this herb, and the other with tomatoes, olives, mint leaves, and some kind of cottage cheese.
More to come. Today will be a slow day, because we both need to recover, and because Alain has been gone so long that it's very necessary for him to relax and be in his home atmosphere. It's always good to come home. Even if you do nothing other than sit and stare at the walls that you grew up in, it's still and always will be a feeling unlike any other.
Side note, and last thought on Lebanon for now. It is not a terrorist muslim country like portrayed on the news. Yes, there is the Hezbollah, but in the USA, we have the KKK and many many other hate groups that can be found. Imagine if this was the image of USA to the world. There are many Christians in this country. They are not an overrun and quiet minority of people. I've heard that in some middle eastern countries Christians are few and far between, and (as I was told) found in smaller groups. This is not the case in Lebanon. More to come on this as I further discover the culture, beauty, heritage, and people.
The government just turned off the electricity over here. It will be off until 6:00pm. Right now it is 2:00pm. The Feghalis have a generator though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace Corps
So I'm trying to finish my medical clearance so that I can make the September ship program that I've been nominated for, but I'm having some problems so far.
First issue:
I was expecting to leave next year between March and May of next year (2010), so I made many travel plans, and even had to cancel others. Some of my plans I will not cancel, (IE, Lebanon, road trip with Tony, and visiting friends in CO, Cali, and possibly Canada) but others I had to eliminate all-together. I was going to see Byrd in Japan, but I can't now. So the problem is that my last month of college was extremely busy, and I did not have time to work on my medical paperwork. I didn't even fully read through it until the week after finals. I finished my physical part, and need to get 17 different tests done (lipid panel, hiv, hepatitis, etc). My main point is that I have many many tests to do, and a very short period of time to complete them all. Keep in mind that I'm out of the country until the end of June. Peace Corps paperwork takes a good amount of time to process.
Second Issue:
I set up the tests, and went to the building to take them all the Friday before I left. As I spoke to the receptionist, I asked, "how much will all these cost?" She added it all up and it totaled $1200!! I told her I can't offord this. I have no insurance, just finished college, and really don't have $1,200 that I can just toss towards some tests that I'm doing so that I can volunteer (not make any money) for the next 3 yrs. I called their customer service and explained my situation (no insurance, no money, joining peace corps), to which the lady responded, "we can put you on a payment plan." Umm..think about this please, I said I'm joining the Peace Corps, which means no job, which means no money..what good will a payment plan do me? She gave me the number to their corporate office, thinking that they might give me a reduced rate or possibly test me for free. I call corporate and the refer me to the local office that I just spoke to. That did me no good at all.
So of these two major issues, the first one I can rush and get the tests done, but what about the money that is not going to magically appear from nowhere? How in this country can healthcare cost so much? I know if something major happened my family would all pull together but what if I didn't have money? What if there was nobody for me to fall back on in serious times of need? That would be an unnerving feeling to have. No family or safety net, mixed with a government that has set our people up to fail when it comes to medical expenses. Lovely right?
I'll figure it out one way or the other. I asked my medical contact with the Peace Corps, "what will happen if i don't get all my clearance done in time for my September program?" If that happens, I will still be nominated, and placed in the next open program, which would likely be 2 months after that. Wish me luck with it all.
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