Updatezzzzz

After a long hiatus since my last post, I’ve found my muse in a swift kick in the ass from a dear friend, Ms. Samantha Aguilar.  “Update your blog, woman!”

It’s been a hell of a couple of months.  I haven’t written much because not only did it not seem like much had happened but it was also incredibly difficult getting adjusted to life in site.  It’s nothing like training where you’re surrounded, nay babysat, by loving training staff, host families, and fellow volunteers.  Once you leave training, you’re on your own.  It’s up to you to make this experience everything you want it to be. 

So, that’s what I’ve been doing.  I left my first host family and have since found shelter with my lovely new family.  They have been quick to welcome me into their family.  I have shown my gratitude through very coveted care package loot used to make Reece’s and Butterfinger milkshakes.  

We had our first in service training a few weeks ago.  In it, our phenomenal volunteer support leader showed us a thing or two.  He surveyed the group of Peace Corps Volunteers that had just left.  He found that they rely most heavily upon host family and each other, which is to say other Peace Corps volunteers.  

In our last few moments of staging in Washington, our facilitator had us stand in a circle facing one another and told us that this would be our family for the next 27 months.  Good God was she right.  There are daily frustrations and celebrations that we share with one another.  In these past 3 months, my “family” has become invaluable. 

A good friend of mine in country and I have been checking in on one another and making sure we are tending to our respective self-care.  Whether that means taking a day off to visit your friends at Laguna de Apoyo (one of the most beautiful places in the country), taking your time to drink your coffee on an abuelita as you finish one of the many books you’ve picked up from the Peace Corps Library, or advocating for yourself in confronting a problem. 

That support and self-care have become invaluable has much to do with what you miss.   There are moments when you miss home so much that it physically hurts.  You can’t believe it’s been 6 months since you last saw your family and friends.  Since you last had a hamburger from Kincaid’s or Hopdoddy’s.   There are days when you don’t wanna get out of bed.  But, you do.  You put your feet on the ground and you start your day because you know that this experience is equal to the amount of effort you put into it. 

Dirty Roz (our training towns).  Cocktail 2013.

The self-care committee.  Cocktail 2013.

Health 61 at our 1st In Service Training.