« | Main | The Peace Corps »
May 24, 2005
Purpose
As of this moment, my plan is go into the Peace Corp after college. That is assuming I actually finish college. Currently, I have no aspiration for a career in any field whatsoever. I'm interested in many things; children, media, history, writing, people, law, nutrition. But my heart is not set on any one thing. Right now, my only dream is to be a part of the Peace Corp. This revelation is pretty new. In fact, I had announced my newfound plans to all but the two most important people in my life: my parents. Oops.
My whole logic with the Peace Corp ordeal is that I don't want to be like everybody else--- graduate, get job, get apartment, make money, buy a car. It's not what I'm about. If I follow the standard, I am not working for anybody but myself; I won't have a family of my own, I won't have children, or a husband. In which case, I am only being selfish. Why not do something with myself? I want world peace and I want to save the world. And there is only one way I know how.
Back to telling my parents...
I live in Dinkytown. With the strain of school (in general), finals and work, I hadn't had the time or oppurtunity to talk to either of them. I finally went "home" last weekend.
Moments before my parents picked me up, I thought, okay I want to go into the peace corps...what will my parents think about me getting into the peace corps?! Having to tell my parents was completely overlooked. Mom sort of freaked, she called me crazy. And then, she got kinda sad because she was like (and these are facts), "Julie wants to live in Japan, Chris wants to join the Navy, now you want to go to Africa" and my dad butts in with, "no it's South America" so mom continues, "South America...What did your father and I ever do to you guys?" My dad butts in again with, "Liz wants to go to a farm." It was so random, I seriously couldn't stop laughing. But I found out later that the "farm" was refering to the philosophy camp that Liz is going to this summer. And in reality, Liz hasn't revealed that she wants to move to Australia yet. I should add that Liz, Julie, Chris and I are all siblings.
Then she went on...
"You don't even like spiders"
"It's not like I'm gonna live in the jungle mom. I could end up in a dessert"
"Dessert? you don't even eat meat what kind of greens are they going to grow for you?"
"Uhhh....guess I will lose a lot of weight"
And she it doesn't stop. "Sylvie's going to live in the jungle or dessert and get a disease, she's already can't see well or hear well, and when she comes back all of her friends are going to be married already, she will never marry and she will never have children, who's going to hold your hand and take care of you when you can't anymore?" So here goes my dad again, he says, "Sylvie's elephants from the jungle will hold her hand"
I have the most random father in the world!
I should also add that I am a vegetarian.
Sadly, my mom has a point. My dad makes good points too. My dad told me, "you can't even go without your cell phone...life is very different anywhere." And, it's true. But in the case that I do go into the Peace Corps, I won't need money, a car, make up or a cell phone for that matter. My mom said I would probably regret it; by the time I returned, I would see that friends and peers have jobs, cars, experience, are getting married, and I will find myself catching up way behind.
Overall, the purpose for this blog is to find a medium here. I want to be near my family, yet, I want to explore all of the possibilities that the Peace Corp has to offer.
Could you and I save a life? A liter of gas per day? The ozone from deteriorating? One hungry orphan? Support AIDS awareness? Walk for a cause? Mentor a youth? I have a kind heart. So far, that is all I have to offer.
Posted by thao0226 at May 24, 2005 11:36 PM | Reflections
Comments
The story and parental dialog really sets the scene. Keep the kind heart open to possiblities.
Posted by: Tim G. at May 25, 2005 10:19 AM
It seems like your are taking a personal journey through your writing, and I suppose in some ways we all are.
Posted by: Kyle C. at May 25, 2005 02:06 PM
It seems to me that the Peace Corps could be a good idea for you. It could be a way for you to do something for others. While your Mother has a point there are ways to get around her concerns.
a) the Peace Corps is a resume builder
b) you will gain life experience
c) when you come back to the U.S.- you could be thankful for your phone, makeup, car, etc. or you could continue a simpler life without them.
d) maybe being veggie won't pose a problem- after all, a lot of countries get protien from another source.
Plus, it sounds like you don't want to work for someone else- cubicles are BORING
JenSieveking
Posted by: Jen Sieveking at May 25, 2005 02:26 PM
I think that in the end, it is up to what you want to do with your life, if you live by what your parents want, you won't really be happy with yourself. It sounds like a once in a lifetime possibility. I say do it! Your parents may disagree and it may be hard to deal with being away from them, but it is YOUR life. Though, living without even a cellphone doesn't exactly sound very appealing to me!
Posted by: Dawn at May 25, 2005 02:52 PM
wouldn't it be more rewarding to make a real difference in someone's life than just joining corporate america like everyone else?
Posted by: Dawn at May 25, 2005 02:54 PM
The way you described the randomness of your dad's comment about the "farm" was priceless...I could totally see you cracking up thinking, "WTF"?
Posted by: Jen Tschida at May 25, 2005 03:09 PM
Your parents sound like they're straight out of a sitcom. It's great.
Posted by: Sarah at May 30, 2005 08:18 PM
Damn straight, you sound like me! Only it's Japan and geisha for me, and Peace Corps for you.
*do it*
Posted by: Aaron Denk at May 31, 2005 12:08 PM