Poked, Prodded and Learning French

When I decided to join the Peace Corps, I figured that I would be more than eligible. I have good grades, an eager desire to help, I learn quickly and I have a lot of international experience. The only section I was really worried about was the health section. As some of you know, I have mild asthma and some breathing issues. I was happy to learn however that I easily passed the initial health evaluation… and then comes the tough part. I had to complete a crazy atrocious in depth health evaluation. I have never been so violated in my entire life. I had to have a TB test where they inject stuff into my arm, leave it there for two days, and then check it to see if there was a reaction. Then I had to have three vials of blood drawn, and just my luck, she poked me two times on the left arm, and no vein (apparently I miraculously circulate blood throughout my body without the luxury of veins) then poked me two times in the right arm, and on the second poke, decided to fish around a bit, take the needle for a joy ride along the "vein" in my arm. Finally she found some blood…and took it. Then I had to visit the Gyno, and ladies, you feel me I'm sure. Just one question, why on earth do the nurses always feel like they need to chit chat when they have large, in this case plastic duck lips spreading you open? It's like, "So, you went to Cal right? Are you a basketball fan? (Poke, prod, poke, prod, discomfort, irritation) They have such a great team this year. Do you go to the games? (Feel, scrape, poke.)" Ehhhhh. Just stop. Please. Please stop. I also had to have a complete physical, do breathing tests, and lets face it, the worst part, having my weight taken 15 times! Fuckers.

So now I am waiting to find out where it is that I will be off to. I know that it is a French speaking West African country, and I am starting the long process of learning French. I am fully confident in conjugating about 5 verbs (plus all normal –ER verbs) and I have some basic vocabulary down. Don't be too harsh; I am only on the second lesson. The major issue I am having is that my pronunciation is atrocious. I am learning from CDs, the "Living Language" series and I would like to have some basic French down before I go into the intense language program that I will have before I am dropped off in who-knows-where. So…if you speak French fluently, and would like to help me with my pronunciation, please feel free to let me know so we can talk on the phone.

That's all for this update. I just can't wait until I find out where I am going for sure! I should know in the next 1-3 weeks.

All my love,

Nicolette

PS. At least as a result of all the tests I had to do, I can now bring lab results and medical documentation into bars where I can pick up guys by saying, "Look, I have clear documentation, no STD's of any kind, no HIV, no Hep C, TB.... and I also have psych clearance!" Now how many other women at any given bar can say that hmmm?