Hey guys! Here’s a real quick update on my life happenings and stuff!
The last day of school was on a Thursday, the 10th. I woke up that morning, confused. My world-band radio is set to go off at 6:30 am. The last several weeks i’d just gotten static, but for some reason, the BBC was coming in loud and clear. Strange. I forced myself out from my covers and took a peek out the window to get my answer. About 3 inches of snow had fallen.
The snow was a nice novelty…if it’s going to be freezing cold…there might as well be something interesting to come along with it. Turns out, though, when it snows all the transport to my site stops. Tarsha says she’s been stuck here for a week while the shop supplies slowly start to diminish in the villages. This time it was just two days before traffic started coming through the pass like normal. Lucky for me it didn’t interfere too much with my world cup plans.
I went to see Greece vs. Nigeria on the 17th. It cost me an arm and a leg but it was well worth it. Getting back into civilization was a strange feeling. Bloemfontein has malls, bookstores, McDonalds…it was just like being back in the States. Advertisements…restaurants…people. I loved it.
I’ve been back at site now for a couple of days…soaking up the down-time. I’ve been reading like a fiend, really trying to use this time to learn. I’m also starting to study to maybe take my MCAT again.
It’s been really nice to slow things down and have time to think…to assess what i’ve done, where I am, and where i’m headed. Thus far, i’m really pleased with my decision to join the Peace Corps. I got lucky, I have a great home, a school that has lots of room for improvement, and a beautiful village. Talking to other volunteers, it sounds like my situation is a bit of an exception in all the right ways.
I can also see that i’ve learned and grown so much in just seven months. Of course I was expecting ‘growth’ in the sense of overcoming challenges and working hard. Surprisingly though, i’ve grown more in a spiritual and psychological sense than a work-ethic sense. I’m feeling passionate about my work, sympathizing with others, and learning a lot about myself…some old gears in my brain that i’ve been missing…they’re shaking off the rust and starting to turn again. It feels good.
As much as I miss home…as much as I miss family, friends….and wal-mart, I’ve no doubt that I’m right where I belong…Peace Corps is really bringing me towards where I want to be as a person.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Walmart ..really?
Glad you had a good time at the world cup: and enjoyed a bit of civilization ..