Monday, June 25, 2012

It's May...

**I just found this post in my drafts from two years ago. I thought I'd publish it for fun :)

With my final language interview and COS conference just days away, I can't help but perpetuate a cliche: time flies. As a Peace Corps volunteer, years pass quickly as you count down the months from 27, the days from 803. Each second can feel like a lifetime (especially without electricity or running water), but it really does seem like just a month ago I picked up my entire life and moved it from Chicago to Ocotal.

And now here I am, the group that entered before mine is gone leaving Nica 47 as the next group to finish our service. I do feel like I've been here for 2 years in terms of personal growth, language abilities, relationships with counterparts etc., but I can't believe my time is almost done.

I'm very happy and fulfilled work-wise right now, and I'll hate to see that disintegrate as I re-enter the States looking for a job. Although my duties haven't changed much in the past couple of years, I'm feeling more settled and much more effective. I'm teaching high school students invaluable skills, working on a world map in the Casa Materna, planting a vegetable garden, and also teaching pricing strategy for products produced by my solar women. I love my life down here. The cold showers still get to me sometimes, the mosquito bites still itch, but it's been a great couple of years that I'll never take for granted.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Nica 47 volunteers, my amazing bosses and all of my friends and family that have supported me on this epic journey. I can't wait for the next.