Truth or truth game

[Reganon]

CLOSED- locked if I could

Do you prefer to listen to music through headphones or speakers?

[Nikita]

speakers by far...I love to turn up the sub woofer :cheesy:


What do you do when listening to your favorite song?

[Reganon]

I'm usually pretty still. I like to concentrate on it.

Do you prefer music for the melody or the lyrics?

[Nikita]

if the melody doesn't grab me, the lyrics rarely will


Describe your bed.

[Reganon]

A double. Dark blue comforter. Light blue sheets. Extremely comfortable...too comfortable in my opinion.

Yours?

[Nikita]

the one i'm in at the moment (at my mom's house) is a queen, brass headboard and footboard, red comforter, 2 pillows


What is your least favorite color?

[Reganon]

Orange

What can you see if you look out the window?

[Nikita]

(really? i love orange!)

front window: the front lawn, trees, and the neighbors' brick houses
side windows: neighbor's house and deck, the fence
back window (in the bathroom): trees and a bird's nest


You?

[Reganon]

The back yard- trees, a rotting/rusting swing set, it's getting kind of dark

Do you have a favorite movie sound track?

[Nikita]

not really


If you could be any animal, which would you want to be?

[Reganon]

a wolf- I always liked them

Do people ever hassle you about not letting them touch you?

[Nikita]

all. the. time. - my family thinks it's weird and tells me there is something wrong with me


What is the most interesting thing someone has said to you today?

[Reganon]

(I get some of that too. Some people joke about it. One of my closer friends keeps accusing me of being a lesbian because I won't let him touch me. I shouldn't have to justify not wanting people invading my personal space, but...)

Not on this forum: my sister asked me why I needed friends- an interesting topic, but the conversation was poorly executed.

You?

[rara avis]

There were several things... let's go with: someone asked me if my boobs are real.


What have you eaten today?

[Nikita]

(rara - LOL)

comment: my mom told me I was like a cat, something about the way I was driving in making a turn before the other car caught up with me

eaten: a clementine, some pineapple, chicken, and some cookies at the blood donation center


What are you serving tonight for the NYE celebration?

[rara avis]

Oh right, the big celebration. I'm drinking Pouilly-Fuisse, there's mac & cheese ready to go in the oven (not my own, though) and I have dulce de leche ice cream, for later. (wine and ice cream - insulin, anyone?)

Do you make NY's resolutions?

[Nikita]

never


Do you? If so, why?

[Reganon]

not officially but... I just resolved to live a more spirited life because the last year felt extremely dead to me. It was filled with a numbness I couldn't escape. New Years might be an arbitrary date, but it's still an excuse to reflect on what's gone wrong and how to improve life.

What do you find most bothersome in the outward appearances of strangers?

[ClydeB]

The "I am homeless and want some money to keep the drunk going" look.

What do you think of the concept of having a twin soul in the world somewhere?

[Reganon]

I think it's wishful thinking.

What makes you feel mentally unclean?

[ClydeB]

Knowing state secrets I can never tell anyone short of my deathbed.

What do you think about President Obama?

[Reganon]

I loved him before he ran for president. I still think he'll make a great president, but he's not a god, and in time people will come to dislike him.

You?

[ClydeB]

I don't think he can do worse than Bush did when he made that left turn into Iraq during the "Afghanistan" war.

What are your thoughts on caffeine?

[Reganon]

I don't consume it. I don't care if others do.

Do you have any houseplants?

[ClydeB]

Had an onion that spouted on me once. That's the extent of it. Plants are those things that happen outside the house. Like neighbors, only quieter.

Ever feel like there's just not enough hours in the day? That it would be nice if you never had to sleep?

[Reganon]

Not really.

What's your favorite color?

[ClydeB]

Blue, the specific color of blue LED christmas lights. I could stare at it for hours.

What is your favorite fruit flavor?

[Reganon]

Watermelon

What is your favorite beverage?

[Elfrun]

Couldn't live without water, wouldn't want to without red wine.


Most annoying sound to you?

[azelismia]

baby crying


merlot or cab

[Elfrun]

Ironically I'm drinking a Cabernet-Merlot as we speak... I pick that ;D


Least favourite holiday?

[azelismia]

Christmas

best day of your life

[Nikita]

I hope it hasn't happened yet.


Yours?

[Reganon]

Every day.

Describe your favorite piece of writing (of the things you have written)

[rahdam]

I've written some essays about The Count of Monte Cristo in college that I really enjoyed.

Preferred physical embrace?

[Nikita]

generally? handshake, lol


You?

[rahdam]

Fist bump.

Least preferred physical embrace?

[Nikita]

anything more invasive than a handshake


Yours?

[rahdam]

I don't like hugging most people.
It feels awkward; I hold back my body to avoid giving the wrong impression.
Which probably makes it awkward.

If someone walked up to you at a party and kissed you, what is your gut reaction?

[Nikita]

PUNCH him


What was the most uncomfortable recent physical experience you've had?

[Wapiti]

Someone I haven't seen for a while came up and hugged me in front of others who didn't know who she was.

Yours?

PUNCH him
You're assuming it was a HIM.

[rahdam]

I can't post it on the forum.
Last night, **** grabbed me rather sexually and pulled me in front of her to block the camera.

You?

[Nikita]

You're assuming it was a HIM.
a lesbian grabbed me once and received a titty twister for her efforts - most people know to keep their hands off of me - i almost broke the finger of a guy who touched my breast once

You?

my mom's husband hugging me and rubbing my back


What was your favorite part of the holidays?

[rahdam]

Seeing my family and old friends I had not seen.

What was your least favorite part of the holidays?

[Nikita]

being bored out of my mind at my parents' houses


Yours?

[rahdam]

Not seeing people who are away.

What was your favorite part of the holidays?

[Nikita]

catching up with a few people and singing a LOT (ironically b/c I've been so bored and have had a lot of free time)


How much luggage did you bring with you?

[rahdam]

One suitcase.

If you could, would you give it all up for a career in music?

[Wapiti]

Hell ya.....no not really. It'd be nice to play the guitar well though.

Whats the worst part of returning to work after the holidays for you?

[Nikita]

if I had the opportunity, I'd take it...plus, if I were successful at it, I'd have a springboard for doing a lot of the good I already plan to do

worst part of going back to work - the stories of my potential clients are really very depressing...it can be difficult to hear that day in and day out, especially when it is often coupled with a feeling of entitlement by those people


Who has inspired you most in your life?

[rahdam]

I look forward to it. I get to see some of the people that mean the most to me in the entire world.

You?





rahdam added to this post, 6 minutes and 55 seconds later...

No one has inspired me.

You?

[Nikita]

I've never been one for heroes or external inspiration.


What is your favorite musical?

[rahdam]

Wicked is the shit. You know why.

You?

[Nikita]

I've always had a soft spot for The Phantom of the Opera


Would you ever attend an opera?

[Wapiti]

Yes.

Would you?

[Nikita]

I volunteered with an opera once and got to see a show for free...I kept humming along trying not to sing along...it's probably not a good idea


You?

[rahdam]

I'd be down. I'd rather go to a concert though.

What is the last concert you were at?

[Nikita]

hmm probably Lilith Fair back in the 90s, my mom had the tickets...i don't really like to go to concerts


You?

[rahdam]

I went to the Tool concert with a friend, it was off the chain, we ended up in the most pit.

What is your preferred form of public entertainment (opera, theater, concert, etc)?

[Nikita]

out of those, concert - I just prefer to listen to music at home or at a club

(*mosh pit)


Yours?

[rahdam]

Concert, though I do enjoy theater.

Supposing you did actually go to a concert, would you engage in the mosh pit?

[Nikita]

no idea, never have before - it's not something I think I'd do on my own, but I wouldn't avoid it if someone I was with wanted to do it


Have you ever gotten into a fight in a mosh pit?

[rahdam]

Not a bona fide fight, but you could argue the mosh pit is one large fight.

What is your attitude about fighting out of emotion?

[Nikita]

it depends on the type of fight and the attitude of all involved


Yours?

[rahdam]

Excluding situations where I am defending someone, I would never allow my emotions to overcome me and instigate a fight. I will, however, finish.

What is the last sports event that you [were forced to watch/watched]

[Nikita]

lol nobody can force me to watch a sports event - some college football game was the last that was on tv while i was within eyeshot, but i didn't watch it


You?

[rahdam]

Play football. Playing overshadows watching. But damn, that would be close.
If it were a big fight, like Penn/GSP 2, I would choose to watch the UFC.

Would you rather listen to music or go play football?

[Nikita]

at the moment, listen to music


What is the most unusual thing in or near your bed?

[rahdam]

Hahaha, there is nothing unusual in or near my bed. Really. My guitar is across the room.

You?

[Nikita]

lol there's a ladybug in my bed...they won't leave me alone!


What is in your trunk?

[rahdam]

I have no trunk.

Where are you right now, within the room?

[Nikita]

I'm in my bed

(your car doesn't have a trunk? i thought you drove an accord)


What is in your car trunk?

[rahdam]

(I thought you meant a physical trunk, a box. My car trunk has some windex, towels, a mag lite, chains).

From where do you do most of your intjf posting?

[Nikita]

if i'm home, bed - bedroom is the only private place i have
did a lot from the balcony overlooking the water at my dad's:
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 15 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


You?

[rahdam]

At my desk.

Do you mind if other people read your posts while you are posting?

[Reganon]

Not at all.

Do you?

[Nikita]

yes, I do


Do you?

[rahdam]

Yes

Would you rather give up this forum or your e-mail?

[Nikita]

forum, email keeps me in touch with more people


You?

[rahdam]

Forum.

What is your preferred method of communication?

[Nikita]

email


Yours?

[rahdam]

E-mail.

Do you turn yourself on? That is, does the appearance of yourself turn you on?

[Nikita]

LOL i can't say I've ever thought about that


Do you?

[rahdam]

Yep.

How much time do you spend in front of the mirror each morning?

[Nikita]

about 10 minutes


You?

[Reganon]

Sometimes no time at all.

How long does it take you to get ready?

[rahdam]

2 minutes, while I brush my teeth.
about 30 minutes to get ready for work.

Do you floss every night?

[Nikita]

get ready - 10 minutes

floss - not every night


Do you have any weird grooming or hygiene habits?

[rahdam]

I trim my pubic hair fairly regularly.

You?

[Nikita]

i don't think i have any weird ones


What is your favorite musical instrument to play?

[rahdam]

Piano and guitar. I like to sing/dance when no one is watching.

You?

[Nikita]

voice and piano...i've tried to learn guitar, but damn it hurts


What is your favorite song to play on the guitar?

[rahdam]

Oasis - Wonderwall is a fun one.

What about playing the guitar hurts?

[Nikita]

fingers on the strings...takes time to build up the callouses (the only song I can play is House of the Rising Sun)


What is your favorite type of bird?

[rahdam]

Peregrine falcon. I promise you have I answered that before.

You?

[Nikita]

oh yeah, lol - Phoenix (or the rara bird ;))


If you had a job like the rescue one I've told you about, and it involved violent contact with terrorists and such, would you prefer to have permission to kill them, or would you prefer to arrest them and bring them to justice?

[rahdam]

I'd prefer to have permission to kill them.

You?

[Nikita]

there is a part of me that would really like to just kill them, but i think that in order to still maintain a sense of honor and nobility in my actions, I would need to arrest them and bring them to justice - if I kill them, am I not a terrorist of sorts myself? whereas if I arrest them, I am an agent of justice


Has anyone (other than family or friends) ever been surprised by your sense of self?

[Reganon]

Not surprised, but they do take a while to get used to it and realize it's not arrogance.

Do you ever question who you are and why you're here?

[rahdam]

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. You effectively kidnap and extradite them, as they see it.

edit: no and no.

Clarify.

[Nikita]

I once had a college professor ask me, in the middle of class (disrupting the lesson) where I got my sense of self from, how I developed the way I did. She pointed out my extreme vocal side in class, how I was never afraid to tell a professor (s)he was wrong and back it up (often winning), that I had insights which seemed bizarre and yet helped to clarify the material for the other students, and that I didn't seem to need the approval of anyone, being completely impervious to peer pressure, and all of this outside the context of any religious system. It was weird and was the first time I really looked at myself in that light.

Reg: I do sometimes question why I am here, though I think I already know the answer. But then I question my answer.


Does that help to clarify?

[rahdam]

Yes. People are surprised. They know that I have an indomitable will. I generally mask it for social coherency, which leads to the surprise.

How strong is your will?

[Nikita]

"Strength does not come from physical capacity [or religious authority]; it comes from an indomitable will." (Nelson Mandela...with my own twist)


Which of the 7 Deadly Sins do you think you most embody?

[rahdam]

Lust. You allowed Lust this time.

You?

[Nikita]

Pride, Lust, & Wrath


Are you circumsized? :evil:

[rahdam]

Yes.

What do you prefer?

[Nikita]

I don't have a preference, lol, no experience with the things.


Would you have your son(s) circumsized?

[rahdam]

I have no idea.

Would you?

[Nikita]

I'd leave it up to the father because he's the one who has the equipment and would understand the benefits and ramifications of it. I'd tend to say "yes" if the decision were wholly mine.


What would be your preferred way of killing said rapist?

[rahdam]

Take a hot iron pike and ram it up his ass. After generic beatings, etc.

You?

[Nikita]

(nice!)

Tie him to a chair and very slowly and with serrated blades and spoons remove various body parts. Blend up his penis with some voda and a touch of tomato juice and make him drink it. Then I'd give him a shot of adrenaline, carve open his chest and see how long I can squeeze his heart before he dies.


Where and when do you do your best thinking?

[rahdam]

At night, or in the shower.

You?

[Nikita]

in bed before going to sleep


What do you think of baths?

[rahdam]

I don't mind, but I prefer the shower.

What do you think of bloodbaths?

[Nikita]

theoretically fun...not so much in person


You?

[rahdam]

Generally opposed.

Left brain or right brain?

[Nikita]

balanced, tending towards the right


You?

[rahdam]

I suspect I am very evenly balanced...I even show ambidextrous tendencies in some sports.

Do you have a six-pack?

[Nikita]

not at the moment


Do you have an 8-pack?

[rahdam]

I do, actually. I changed up my ab workout a bit, adding some things to add definition to the lowest sections of the abdominal muscles.

Are you flexible? (can you touch your toes, etc?)

[Nikita]

yep, i can put both ankles behind my head, too


Are you?

[rahdam]

Yes.

Are you strong, physically?

[Nikita]

yes


Do you prefer sprints or long distance running?

[rahdam]

I prefer long distance running to train my cardio.
I prefer sprints to train my speed.

This is an odd question, but at my core, I hate working out.
But I do it so that I will able to physically overcome anything before me.

You?

[Nikita]

sprints are fun, long distance is draining


If you had to give up your friends and family to follow your dream, could you do it? And if you could, would you?

[rahdam]

I could do it. And I would.

You?

[Nikita]

Same. (This has been on my mind a lot lately...I don't know why.)


What are you listening to right now?

[rahdam]

Nsync - Pop

You?

[Nikita]

Defying Gravity


What is your favorite type of dancing to do?

[rahdam]

Hip-Hop/break.

And you?

[Nikita]

i'd like to learn to Salsa


What belt do you plan to achieve in BJJ?

[rahdam]

I want my black belt. This will take a very long time.

Supposing we fight, predict the ending.

[Nikita]

well you're more technically skilled, but i'd probably fight dirtier...i think it would come down to how willing you'd be to hurt me


You?

[rahdam]

Rahdam via submission. No strikes necessary.

Supposing you do win, knockout or submission?

[Nikita]

knockout, lol, you wouldn't submit to me


Which do you think more likely?

[rahdam]

Most likely is my victory via submission. And by submission, I mean choking you unconscious. I really doubt you have the skill to submit me, and I think you'd have to knock me out...My sub defense is very good.

How often do you clean your room?

[Nikita]

umm, lol, when it gets to the point where the clutter drives me nuts


You?

[rahdam]

About the same.

What is the preferred method of listening to music: Sound system, headphones, etc.

[Nikita]

sound system with a subwoofer, i'll get lost in the bass


You?

[rahdam]

Same. I've got one hooked up in my room, it's pretty sick.

What is the one thing you want most in life?

[Nikita]

(mine's in storage :()

it's stupid, but I really just want to be happy...granted, what makes me happy is not what would make most people happy, but there it is


You?

[rahdam]

I want to touch lives.

What is your New Year's Resolution?

[Nikita]

i don't make those


You?

[rahdam]

None.

What was the bets NYE resolution you heard this year?

[Nikita]

(*best)

I haven't heard any, I don't ask people about them because I don't make them


You?

[rahdam]

"I'm going to have the most sex I can this year"

If you could be the President, would you?

[Nikita]

no, it's too limiting, I couldn't stand living under that microscope


You?

[rahdam]

The more I reflect on this, the more I know that I would not like that life.

Opposites attract?

[Nikita]

To an extent...the oppositions have to be complementary


You?

[thatfox]

No, that is only true with magnets.

If the moon could be transformed into a life sustaining place, would you move there?

[rahdam]

Too much to do here.

Why are you religious/not religious?

[Nikita]

because i just am, i can give you a more well thought out answer another time a bit earlier in the day, i don't have the patience to think about that right now


You?

[rahdam]

Because I am. It's about that simple.

Do you remain relatively constant, or do you change with time?

[Nikita]

i'm always changing, though my core, as to who i am, remains the same


You?

[rahdam]

I am very dynamic in my personal development.

Do you believe it is possible for someone to exist without a core?

[Nikita]

what do you consider a core?


Do you?

[rahdam]

I think the absence of a core would define a core.
A core being the internal system of values that one uses internally to determine external action.

Do you have any doubt in what you are doing with your life?

[Nikita]

i'd like to say no, but if i'm honest with myself i always have doubts, mainly b/c I question everything all of the time


You?

[rahdam]

I do, but they are not really doubts so much as thoughts of what I give up to do what I do.

What is the biggest sense of defeat you have ever felt?

[Nikita]

i lost some of myself in law school...a lot of myself, but i also realized something very important about myself that I think would have taken me decades without that experience


You?

[rahdam]

I can't say I ever have. And I thought hard about this.

When is the last time you yelled?

[Nikita]

a few years ago, one of my cousins pushed another one into the street with an oncoming car - I scared the shit out of them, and out of myself


You?

[rahdam]

I got in a nasty war of words with a roommate.

When is the last time you considered giving in to craving?

[Nikita]

i really don't know


What is the last craving you had?

[rahdam]

Sex, obviously.

You?

[Nikita]

same, but I didn't consider giving into it


What is most crucial to your understanding of your self-imposed ethics?

[rahdam]

Produce the best possible outcomes for others.

You?

[Nikita]

I know myself. If I step over that line, I'll fall into a deep abyss and will be a very dangerous person. I need to maintain strict control over myself ethically for my own sake and for the sake of others.


How often do you have violent impulses?

[rahdam]

When I see injustice. As regularly as that occurs.

How could you become a dangerous person? In what way?

[Nikita]

let's just say I realize that I am one bad decision away from a death sentence...I have deeply ingrained morals and ethics of my own design for a reason, and they are sacred to me...I think that part of why I have access to my dark side is so I can understand those who succumb to their own


Do you examine your dark side?

[rahdam]

I still think about a career that would allow me to embrace it fully.
To the point that I still consider applying for this particular position.

Would you rather die or adjust your morality to suit the situation?

[Nikita]

adjust


You?

[rahdam]

Die.

To put this in perspective.

Would you rape someone if someone else ordered you to do so at gunpoint? You will die if you do not.

[Nikita]

given that, I would die


Would you rather child soldiers face possible execution for their crimes, or give them new lives?

[rahdam]

Give them new lives.

You?

[Nikita]

i'm torn...this actually goes to your adjust or die scenario - child soldiers were put into that position only as to murder instead of rape, and chose to take an innocent life, or two, or five


Do you function better in a structured environment or making it up as you go?

[rahdam]

(That assumes that my morality with respect to murder does not consider the root cause of said murder)

Making it up as I go.

You?

[Nikita]

same


Under what circumstances would you justify murder?

[rahdam]

This depends entirely upon the case, specifically the actions or the murdered and the motivation of the murderer. In cases where these compete, the motivation of the murderer must bear reasonably greater weight because he is still alive and subject to rehabilitation.

You?

[Nikita]

absent the target being a terrorist or similarly chronically criminalistic person, I wouldn't justify murder


How would you feel about a vigilante killing criminals?

[rahdam]

Permissible, dependent upon which crimes the criminals were guilty of.

You?

[Nikita]

for me it depends on whether the criminals have first been subjected to the full range of what can be done legally...some slip through the system and should be dealt with


When there is some kind of crisis in your family, but there isn't anything you can do directly on the matter, what does your role tend to be?

[rahdam]

I am the rock upon which they can lean.

You?

[Nikita]

I'm given the children, I calm them, I care for them, I just make sure they're all okay and understand what's going on while everyone else does their thing (i've had as many as 11 to tend to in situations like that) - as to the matter itself, I'm only called in when softer methods aren't effective


On work days, what time is your alarm set for?

[rahdam]

6 am.

At what age do you think you will find your soulmate?

[Nikita]

at whatever age I do - I'm not premonitory, though I have experienced some weird coincidences


You?

[rahdam]

I'm not certain, but I feel within the next couple years I will find her.

What is the case for your belief in the potential for a significant other above all others?

[Nikita]

I know myself...that's enough.


You?

[rahdam]

I know that there is someone out there for me.

What physical feature are you most uncomfortable about?

[Nikita]

i'm not that uncomfortable about anything


You?

[rahdam]

I'm pretty happy the way I am.

Can you imagine yourself liking a massage from your SO?

[Nikita]

oh yes...he's also the only person that wouldn't make me cringe at being touched


You?

[rahdam]

Definitely.

Would you rather give him a massage or recieve one from him?

[Nikita]

ha, receive one...i give a lot of massages


You?

[rahdam]

I'd rather give her a massage.

Favorite [hypothetical] sex position?

[Nikita]

haha i know yours (doggy) - lap or vertical against a wall


Second favorite hypothetical sex position?

[rahdam]

Woman on side, legs scissored, I am on top of her bottom leg.

Vertical against the wall with rear entry or forward entry?

[Nikita]

forward


You?

[rahdam]

Against the wall, forward.

Least favorite position?

[Nikita]

would there be one? i guess i won't know until i try them all


Yours?

[rahdam]

:laugh:Any one without physical contact

To shoot back an old question of yours:
Position dice or your own creativity?

[Nikita]

creativity


with an audience, or without?

[rahdam]

No audience. I fantasize about that, but in reality, I prefer the additional intimacy afforded by privacy.

you?

[Nikita]

privacy


What is the most public fantasy you've envisioned?

[RetroRick21]

upside down hanging from a ceiling fan.

[rahdam]

On a public beach.

What is your favorite fantasy?

[Nikita]

in a fountain of holy water...


Yours?

[rahdam]

Just going for it, finding a secluded spot in public and going for it, unable to wait to even remove our clothes entirely.

Why holy water?

[Nikita]

because it's blasphemous


Why not?

[rahdam]

(I knew that was coming!) No reason.

How was the Peace Corps interview?

[Nikita]

it was fine, it's a structured interview so they ask the same questions of everyone and you have to wait for them to type in the answers...they offered me the nomination on the spot and we discussed geographical location and picked a work area then, too


In your heart, not considering anyone else, do you think that your future is in medicine or politics?

[rahdam]

It's medical; I need to be in the field.

Do you think it wise to forgo medical school temporarily?

[Nikita]

That's a decision only you can make because it is your path to walk. If you went to Africa for two years first and then went to medical school, what do you think you would bring back from your experience, and how would it affect your dedication to and interest in medicine? If you chose to do medical school now, thus forgoing the other option, would you later regret not having gone to Africa? Which path would best fit into your ultimate dreams and goals?


^my answer poses the question(s)

[rahdam]

A. More experience with even more people.
B. Absolutely.
C. The Peace Corps

You see, this revelation occured last night, and I already knew the answer to my question. What you see is merely the rationalization of this desire.

Do you ever hear someone say something to you, and it hits you like lightning?

[Nikita]

yes, but it's rare

I honestly think that you already have your answer, and you know it, too. I think you have to try.


Why are you hesitant to take the step?

[rahdam]

Perhaps I am reminescent of what could have been.
I can think of no rational reason to hesitate.

How many letters of recommendation are needed?

[Nikita]

oh! 3 I think, but you do it through the site - go start an application, you'll see all of the steps


Do you want to go to Africa, or are you open to going anywhere?

[rahdam]

Africa, or Brazil.
I won the high school spanish award, and I do the whole BJJ thing.
I know they speak portuguese in Brazil, but South America sounds like a good fit.

That said, Africa would be a greater challenge in my opinion.

What is the most difficult part of the admission process?

[Nikita]

(PC isn't active in Brazil at the moment, but there are other places in South and Central America that are active)

Getting through medical after a car accident, without health insurance, and without having a dotor because you'd relocated to another state


Would you want to do health work? (given your time with TFA you'd be a great candidate to work with at-risk youth)

[rahdam]

Absolutely, that would be nearly non-negotiable.
What is the average time for the application process.
Assume a very healthy individual with excellent experiences.

[Nikita]

6-9 months is typical


Have you pulled up an application? There isn't a commitment while you're working on it.

[rahdam]

What do you mean no commitment while you are working on it?
I'm starting it tomorrow, I had a look around today to gather information.

[Nikita]

I just mean that while you're working on your online application you haven't committed to anything. It's only after you've submitted it that you're moving forward in the process. You'll also have to write a personal motivation statement and cross cultural essay...and the cross cultural, I believe, has word parameters.


Are you excited or nervous to get started?

[rahdam]

Excited. How long does the application take to fill out?

[Nikita]

I agonized over my essays, so it took me awhile...I did at least 10 rewrites of each. Getting the LoRs in can take some time depending on the schedules of the people writing them. I'd imagine you'd have it done in a month at the most...I took a lot of time doing mine.

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Are you wanting to do HIV/AIDS work?

[rahdam]

Yes.

LoRs can flow fast, I already have that system established from the medical school application process. Do you mean to say that the majority of the time is spent on the essays? It sounds like I could do it in a week or less to be honest.

[Nikita]

You probably could. You'll also need info. on all of your financial obligations with you. It took me a week alone to get that (my P side really comes out with stuff like this...I'm great at helping other people, but horrible at helping myself).


What do you think would be the most challenging part of joining?

[rahdam]

I have no financial obligations beyond my credit card.

In talking with my friend, given my teach for america experience, we forsee absolutely no problems. She said, when asked which was more difficult "Peace corps is more difficult physically, TFA is more difficult mentally".

The most challenging part would be taking my MCATs over again. They were very good, but they could become great when I put effort in.

What % are you through the process?

[Nikita]

well the only thing i'm waiting on before final evaluation is medical clearance...if i had to guess...98%? I've heard that Peace Corps is mentally challenging due to the cultural adjustment...that being the reason that a lot of people ET (early terminate).


Do you think you'd bring MCAT study books with you?

[rahdam]

In all likelyhood.

What are you most nervous about in your Peace Corps experience?

[Nikita]

(grrr *likelihood)

contracting giardia without having a toilet, lol - i've heard it's a rite of passage (though at this point I'm more worried about not getting in)


You?

[rahdam]

Nothing comes to mind. Leaving at the end could be rough.

When do you anticipate recieving your assignment?

[Nikita]

i really don't know


What first made you think about PC?

[rahdam]

****** talked about it, and the more I thought about it, I knew that THAT was the type of experience I wanted to have abroad. And then I knew, if I did not do it now, it would not happen.

What made you think about it?

[Nikita]

law school led me to it...it's not something i'd heard of before, but one summer while I was visiting family in Nebraska I was researching international humanitarian opportunities (UN among them) and discovered PC. The more I read the more I liked it. I attended a LOT of seminars and stuff near campus, asked a lot of questions, attended chat sessions at local coffee houses. I just fell in love with it with everything I continued to learn about it and the experiences that the RPCVs (returned PC vols) had.


What makes you cry?

[rahdam]

I really don't cry.

When did you graduate law school?

[Nikita]

06


What would keep you from going into PC?

[rahdam]

Timing issues.

Can you be very specific about the timing of the whole experience? Is there any flexibility at the end? And if not, are there other PC related things one can do for 9 months?

[Nikita]

PC is a 27 month commitment. The first 3 months are language and culture training in a larger city in the country of service. The remaining 24 months are your actual service months in your assigned village/town, which you won't know the location of until you get there. During that time, you have a primary project to complete and are required to pick up at least one secondary project, though many people end up with 3 or 4 extras. At the end of your 24 month period, you have to leave unless you have some project in the works that needs your continued attention, in which case you can apply for an extension. Extensions can be up to one year, I believe, but they are difficult to get.


Why do you need the extra 9 months?

[rahdam]

I'll end somewhere between Sept. and Dec. Too late to start med school in that year. Ergo, I will need to kill about 9 months at the end.

What do you think of this dilemma?

[Nikita]

you're assuming you know when you'd get in...you might be right, you might be wrong - I'd try to come up with some kind of work (perhaps a medical internship) you could do in the interim


Do you think that's attainable?

[rahdam]

Absolutely.

Give an example of the types of projects you might work on?

[Nikita]

the primary one could be, say, HIV/AIDS awareness...maybe i'm tasked with conducting surveys to gauge current awareness and have to develop an educational program for the community...say we need funding for this, I may have to write grant requests. i'd have to elicit community involvement in implementing the program and in gauging its effectiveness. let's say that X woman comes up to me and says she has an idea for a business making beads from local materials. i could help her devise a business plan, find a steady supply for her materials, come up with a marketing strategy, and open up a line of credit at a local bank. then let's say Y man wants to have a fish farm, but needs to dig a pond. i could help him with the manual labor of that. then say Z woman points out that the roof of the orphanage in town is leaking. i help to procure labor and materials to patch it. I've just worked on my primary project and 3 secondaries.


Do you think you'd be ok with not having plumbing or electricity?

[rahdam]

Personally, yes.
Is the internet absolutely unavailable for the duration?
Additionally, do you work alone on projects or with other PC volunteers?

[Nikita]

internet: well, some people have internet, others don't...it depends on your location. that being said, there are mandatory meetings every 3 or 4 months with your regional director and other PCVs in the region. those meetings take place in larger cities where there is plumbing, electricity, and often internet at least at cafes. because i'm a health extension volunteer, i'm likely to be put in the most remote location available in whatever country i'm sent to. the type of work can determine your isolation.

projects: the idea is to facilitate communication with and involvement from the community. really, you're supposed to work in tandem with the locals. at many posts, you'll be the only PCV in your village. in more remote posts (such as the South Pacific Islands), they may have 3 or so of you in the same village due to the extreme isolation. but still, your projects are your own. there are also limits on visitors. and you have to get any trips out of your village approved by your director. this is for your safety because if you disappear on a side trip, they need to know where you were to try and find you and figure out what happened to you. also, you are not allowed to drive. it is grounds for immediate expulsion.


Would you rather work on projects with others or alone?

[rahdam]

I'm more effective alone.

why is driving grounds for immediate explusion?

[Nikita]

because the rules of driving are very different in other countries, road conditions are vastly different...PC has very strict rules about PCVs driving. often, a bike allowance is given. that, or you're taking buses, trains, taxis, etc.


Does that bother you?

[rahdam]

Not at all.

What are your plans immediately after you get back from PC?

[Nikita]

contact JAG to see about going that route and applying to positions with the UN, the government, and other areas i may think of at the time


Does language at all factor into where you want to go?

[rahdam]

No. I'm confident in my ability to pick up language.

Did it play into yours?