Daily Inspiration

The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you’re not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any jobs; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don’t take it personally when they say “no”—they may not be smart enough to say “yes."

~Keith Olbermann

I first saw this quote on a Starbucks cup during college, it has stayed with me all these years. The takeaway message: we are all good enough. Yes, you, even you, you are good enough. 

The Most Excited I Have Been In A While!

When I started the process of applying for law and graduate school in April, I wrote an arbitrary date on my calendar, October 28th, and covered it with the words "ALL APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED". Today is indeed October 28th, a full seven months after writing that date down, and while my beloved St. Louis Cardinals are playing in Game 7 of the World Series, I am celebrating something of my own.

I am done with applications. I have to type this again just to prove how excited I am about it, I AM DONE, YES, DONE.

Eleven law school applications and one graduate application are submitted and complete, ready for review.

Now comes the hard part, the inevitable wait. Hopefully I hear some good (or bad, I guess) news by February/ March. For now, I wait, and work on other pressing stuff since I AM DONE.

Since no one is really around to celebrate my good news, I am having a dance party in honor of my accomplishment, please don't judge me.

Wanna see what it's like to volunteer in Morocco?

Moses in Morocco

Feeling Content

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."

I found this quote on Pinterest, my new addiction, (thanks Brittany) and thought it was quite fitting of my time here.

One of the craziest phenomenon I have witnessed while living here is the cycles of moods and feelings that Peace Corps Volunteers from my group go through. There is an infamous paper Peace Corps handed to us on one of our first days in country called "The Life-Cycle of a Volunteer". I think I have even quoted it in this blog a few times, but essentially the paper is a written and pictorial representation of the way most volunteers feel at any given time. This paper is dead on. Yes, dead on.

I could be one of those crazy physics principals which explains it-- because we observed the paper and understand it, our moods have changed because of it-- but frankly, I doubt it. It just seems that whenever I am feeling a certain way, my fellow 2nd year Environment and Health volunteers are feeling pretty much the exact same way. People who see themselves feeling more negatively than everyone us usually use that as a cue that it might be time for them to re-evaluate their options about living here.

This month is no different. Today, I read two blogs from two friends, both touched on the same point. Then I talked to two friends on the phone, same exact sentiment. We are finally happy here. We finally live here. We are not as anxious to leave or desperate to get out. We finally feel content.

I agree with this sentiment entirely and it's finally a good place to be. Eighteen months in, things are going smoothly. I speak enough of the language, understand enough of the customs/ cultures/ way of life and am less surprised by out-of-the ordinary things. The roller coaster of life here seems to be on one of those flat parts, where we are moving quickly but nothing is changing to suddenly.

I only have about six months left here, I am hoping to leaving mid-April so it's that strange mix of being anxious to leave but not quite ready to go.

Most of my fellow PCV's are applying for schools or looking for jobs. I am included in that bunch. With eight applications and only four more to go, I am on the downhill slope of that as well.

For those of you who have been asking, I will explain my grad/ law school situation a little better. The gist is that for as long as I can remember I have wanted to go to law school. When senior year came around and I should have been applying, I hedged and applied for the Peace Corps. Then when Peace Corps came around, I needed to confront this life-decision again, only this time with a little more perspective.  Frankly, I am grateful I waited. In college I was too near sided, too focused on the present which involved parties, being President and class. I didn't have enough perspective to think long-term. Now, two years later, my life has changed dramatically for the better. I have a better idea of what I want and expect out of life.

Now that I have had the time to come to this epiphany, I have decided that what I should be doing is environmental policy. Whether that be at a local, state or national level I am not sure, but I know it's the right track. I have always loved environmental work and have a great passion for the science. I guess it's what I always thought I should be doing, without, in the past, being able turning the abstract concepts into the tangible.

I am applying to eleven law schools and one graduate program. Both are means to an end. I can do environmental work with either, just two paths leading similar ways. Frankly, I want the graduate program bad, really bad,` but I don't know where life is going to lead and I am just happy to be along for the ride.

Once the applications are submitted, I am just going to cross my fingers and pray someone, anyone accepts me so I can start this next phase of my life. If it doesn't work out, maybe it wasn't supposed to and I can do something else. Things work out the way they are supposed to.

I hope this clears up any confusion and believe me, you will be the first to know if/ when anyone accepts me, so don't worry about that.

In other news, my work project is coming along great. I am currently in the process of writing and submitting my proposal for funding to build the water tower. As it turns out, it is larger and more expensive than we originally thought so we are partnering with other NGO's (non-governmental organizations) to get the rest of the funding. The tower should start construction the middle of November, right after Eid El-Kebir (the biggest Islamic holiday). I am excited.

Alright well I am off to make some chickpea burgers, that is if the chickpeas ever finish cooking. Bye for now.

Oh yeah, only 2 ish months until Danielle and Claire get here and we go to Rome. My ticket is bought and I can't wait. I literally can't wait.

Twenty Months Down

Oh man, life has been insane here recently. The last eight weeks have consisted of a trip to Spain, three trips to Rabat and three trips to Fez. Each trip is 12+ hours with the trip to Fez nearing 17 hours. I feel like I have been doing nothing but traveling.

Granted, it has been a blast. With lots of meetings, an English teaching training workshop, a concert from my dear friend Socorra and applications due, my life finally has a "to-do" list. I haven't written a to-do list in years.

Now I am back in my village for another week or so, then back to Fez for a training session I am hosting with the newest group of volunteers. My applications are nearing completion and will be done before Halloween :) Four down, eight to go.

My flight to Rome in January is booked, finally. Claire, Danielle and I are going to have a blast, I just know it.

My hometown redbirds (the St. Louis Cardinals) are in the World Series and I couldn't be more excited. Go Cards.

I know this is random, much like a brain fart but I wanted to give you an idea of where I am now, both mentally and physically.

Only about six months left, yes six months. Then it's back to bills, car payments, social obligations and school! I couldn't be more excited.

Socorra rocking out at her concert at Cafe Clock in Fez.

Our super-nice hotel where Sarah-Kate and I stayed in Essaouira with her family.

My delicious breakfast (and my new purple plate). Sweet potatoes are in season here, so I eat them as often as I can. Jancy Morgan also taught me to grow my own bean sprouts out of lentils. 

Colin, Maggie, Mina, myself and Socorra at Socorra's concert at Cafe Clock in Fez.

My homemade black bean burger. So yummy. One of the benefits of internet access and too much time means that I can spend my day searching for new recipes. This burger was amazing!

Daily Proverb

Last Christmas I got this great day-by-day calendar from the Kuhn family and today provided an especially profound proverb. I thought I would share.

M-I-Z-Z-O-U!

This weekend the University of Missouri (Mizzou) will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the invention of Homecoming so I have decided to decorate my blog in the distinct black and gold that defines and embodies my fair alma matter.

In 1911, Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited Missouri fans to "come home" for the game against our arch rival, Kansas (kU). Over 9,000 people attended the game and Homecoming was born.

For the last 100 years Mizzou has been celebrating Homecoming in style. With one of the largest blood drives in the nations, a huge parade, and house decorations which take months to prepare, Homecoming is the highlight of the school year for students and alumni alike.

This year will be no different.

I am sad, frankly devastated, I can't be at the 100th celebration. I am sure it is going to be a blast. I am expecting lots of pictures, so be prepared.

Every true son, so happy hearted, the sky's above us are blue. There's a spirit deep within us, Ole Missouri here's to YOU!

GO TIGERS. 

Morocco, via CNN

This week Morocco has been featured as an 'Destination Adventure' travel destination. There are some great articles, great photos and even better quotes. 

Here's my favorite:
 "Whatever exotic dream I had of Morocco before I went was more than confirmed.  It was way better than I ever expected, and by far the farthest thing from our life in the U.S. that I have ever visited."


Yes, Morocco is fun, beautiful, and tough. I love it.

My Ole Missouri Home

I saw this really nice bus outside our hotel in Fez. Awesome, right? It reminded me of home.