27 Months in Costa Rica: December 2013

So, what have I learned during the past two years? Number one: Blogging is NOT one of my strong suits. Number two through ?: a lot of other things that I am not going to write about now (refer to “Number one”).

It has been about eight months since I last documented my movements and while I can’t go back and recount everything that has happened, I can tell you that this year was incredible. I am so happy to be living in Costa Rica, in Liberia, as a TEFL Peace Corps Volunteer. While things really never went, or go, as I planned them in my head, like getting placed in urban Costa Rica instead of rural Africa, every moment has been a learning experience and a joy to be a part of.

Both of my schools ended their academic year last week with kindergarten and sixth grade graduations. And while I still have a few more months as I volunteer, I kind of wanted to get up on the stage and walk across it as a successful PCV who completed another year of hard work, successful projects, and endured great distance from family and friends. As 2013 comes to a close I am proud to say that I feel great accomplishment in the work that I have done. It definitely hasn’t been perfect, or easy, but I couldn’t be happier. Between projects realized and personal relationships developed, it is clear to me that Peace Corps was my path.

I was able to go back to Michigan for Thanksgiving and I am kind of in a mushy mood after getting home from a graduation ceremony so I am going to share a few things that I am thankful for. I am so thankful to have family and friends, both at home and in Costa Rica, that support me in my endeavors. I couldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have their love and encouragement. I also know how lucky I am to have had so many visitors and the opportunity to share my volunteer life with them. It is one thing to write or talk about Peace Corps life, but it is a “ho ‘nudda lebbel” of understanding to experience it. Between family, Meg and Kait, and John visiting, the distance between home and here shrunk for a moment. Lastly, I could not be more grateful that I was able to make it home twice to reconnect with cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and families of friends. To be able to go back and be a part of weddings, Thanksgivings and birthday parties is a gift that makes being away for two years a little less difficult.

I have a few more projects on the way but, with the end of the school year a lot of my work came to a close. Here is a little taste of what I was up to during 2013 and I’ll think about making better blogging habits my new year’s resolution.

I love you all and Merry Christmas!!