Where Shall I Go? What Shall I Do?

When I originally applied to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village, I had to list three international trips I wanted to go on. My first choice was New Zealand. Second was Papua New Guinea and my (very distant) third choice was Thailand.

Right away, I was contacted by the team leaders for New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, asking to arrange phone interviews. The New Zealand team leader was headed out of town on another project for a couple of weeks, so my first interview was with the girls for Papua New Guinea.

I was nervous. I had no idea what to expect from the phone interview. I didn't know what they were looking for, what kinds of questions they might ask, or how competitive it is to get onto a Global Village team.

My first choice was still New Zealand, but I decided to read up on the Papua New Guinea trip before my interview, just so that I would be as prepared as possible. As I learned about the history and statistics related to Habitat for Humanity's work in New Guinea, I felt overwhelmingly like that was the trip I needed to be on. New Zealand was quickly demoted to second choice. The phone interview went very well, I felt really comfortable with the team leaders, and was offered a spot on the team immediately. I accepted.

I'm not someone that believes EVERYTHING happens for a reason. I believe some things just happen. Papua New Guinea and traveling with Ashely and Angela and the rest of the team felt really right. I know I would have had a great experience working with them. And so, I don't believe that my fund raising efforts fell short for a specific reason. I don't think my missing this trip means that this wasn't the right time for me.

Because I really believe that it was.

But, some things just happen. We have to accept that and move on.

I'm disappointed that I missed the mark. Disappointed in myself. I was so close. I know there was more I could have done. I waited too long. I procrastinated. I didn't do absolutely everything possible.

It's time to learn from my mistakes and move on.

So many people, so many of YOU donated to help make this trip happen. I feel bad that I didn't make it. I feel guilty. Like I've let you all down. And I really hate feeling that way.

There is good news, though. The funds that were donated to my Papua New Guinea trip are transferrable. I have a year to use the $1200+ that you all so generously gave. And I intend to do so as soon as possible.

Here's the solution I came up with. I really want to get onto another team as soon as possible so that I keep my focus. I really want to work with Global Village and I want you all to have that experience, right along with me.

I've chosen five Global Village trips that I would REALLY like to be a part of. The list is pretty long, but I picked my top 5. Now, I'm putting up a poll that will be available for the next week. You get to vote on which I apply for. I'm including links so that the curious and thorough among you can read up on each project and decide where you'd like to send me.

Applying for a trip does not guarantee that I'll be invited to participate, so I'll apply in the order of highest to lowest votes.

I do, personally, have my favorite on this list, but I'm not going to influence you by saying which it is. And the choices are listed in no particular order.

(If you REALLY want to know my personal favorite, email me and I'll tell you, but I don't want that to influence your vote!)

So, here are the choices:

Botswana, April 3-16
Egypt, May 14-22
Mongolia, May 14-29
Nepal, May 14-29
Thailand, April 2-17

All right. Give it some thought, read up on the trips, think about where you might like to go. Whatever. Just vote! I'm leaving the poll up until November 30, because I really want to apply right away.

Thank you all so much!