January 9, 2009: This is my first attempt at creating a blog of my own, but I thought it might be a good way to stay in touch as my life unfolds over the next two years. So please bear with me as I learn the finer points of this new-for-me medium.
This story begins about 18-months ago when I saw an article in the Kansas City Star announcing a Peace Corps recruitment meeting at UMKC's Linda Hall Library that evening. The article went on to say that the Peace Corps was actively recruiting senior level people (which I decided I was) as volunteers because they had a wealth of experience, were mature and reliable, and people with a few years on them are held in esteem in most countries around the world. At this point I really hadn't made a decision to give up my job at the ATTC and "transition" into something new, but there was something that attracted me to this meeting.
As I listened that night, I could visualize myself as a Peace Corps Volunteer somewhere in the world doing the work that JFK called young Americans to do when he first instituted the PC in the early 60's. Peace Corps work was intriguing to me then, and it still is today.
So, that was step one in a process that has taken over a year, reams of paperwork, doctors' appointments, recommendation letters, and finally retirement from the University and the ATTC. I heard on Wednesday that I will be leaving on Feb. 13th--that's FRIDAY the 13th--for my two years of volunteer service in Uganda!
Stay tuned! The fun is about to begin...
8:05:00 PM
by Mary Beth Johnson
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