Here I am, the eve of my COS conference.
Wasn’t I writing this same bit before staging, February 2011? I was scared then. I might be scared now. It’s funny how weird it feels to have to
assimilate back into my own culture.
Wow. I did it. At some points in time I didn’t know if I
could make it, but then I proved to myself I’m stronger than I know. I’ve changed in a lot of ways, I’m sure. Looking back on my journal entries I know for
a fact I’m less naive. I also know that
I have acquired a snappy temper. I have
found the joys in simple moments. I have
befriended many with fewer than 10 words shared between us. I have sung, danced and laughed my way
through Malawi. I have experienced great
loss. I lost family, friends and once I
even lost myself. I have witnessed
birth. I have witnessed death. I have fallen in love with life, only to lose
it in a few short months. That’s where
the desperation comes. Am I ready?
Of course I am. Overall, I am
completely satisfied with my service. I
taught, I learned. I won some, I lost
some. I can cook with ease and I
understand how spices work (huge accomplishment for life). I can truly say I have done everything I
wanted to do in my 2 years and I am ready for the next chapter in life. My proudest moments are with the amazing
people I have met on my journey and I hope to never forget any of this. Saying good-bye is never easy and if you
remember correctly, I do not do it well.
Cheers to a mind-blowing, sometimes challenging and always inspirational
Peace Corps service. I couldn’t ask for
more.
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