Friday, February 21, 2014

Close of Service Conference... What's Next?


 So the past few weeks have been pretty loaded with new activities and life events. I was able to bring a kid from my town to a plastic surgery medical mission two weeks ago to fix a cleft lip that she was born with.  She is healing wonderfully and I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to do this in my life.
I've also been spending lots of time with my awesome project partner... working a little on trying to develop a community website... we've managed to explore new parts of the river and plan to see more potential tourist attractions.  I am also happy to say that she has started running with me in the evenings, which allows me to go down my favorite road again with safe company.
Finally the most emotional and overwhelming experience in the new year is here... it's time that my group is preparing for their close of service.  This is the first time that our entire group has been reunited for a conference since we all left for our sites close to two years ago.  In an uncharacteristic turn of events we are in a classy hotel, with our own private beds, hot water, all you can eat buffets, and a gym... Needless to say we're all happy this day has come.  We've worked on updating the all important resume and trying to figure out how to describe what we've done with the past two years of life.  We've started to come to terms with the idea that even though this experience is coming to an end, we are going to have to adapt and readjust to another lifestyle all over again.  Alas while most my peers are preparing for this journey home, I am preparing for my new job as Regional Leader.  I will be extending 6 months until November.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Reflection

Well I know I have to keep this up because Jessica keeps on me when I'm slacking... It's nice to know that someone reads it at least.
February 2, was groundhog day... which doesn't mean much to most, but it reminds me of my dad's birthday every year.  He was born 57 years ago in a black out, and was the 500th baby born in the hospital.  I still tell people that matter-a-factly, as if it's their pleasure to know.  I miss my dad dearly and can't wait to be home for his next birthday!  (It's been too long)
On his birthday I think I had the biggest impact that I will in this country on an individual's life.  I took a 13 year old from my community to the Capital to be operated on for a cleft lip, at a medical mission from the United States.  It went well and she is recovering really well!  It was a long trip and made me exhausted.  Sunday I was able to help with the initial intake day by translating, and it reminded me that I need to remember to always bring comfy shoes to the capital because I can't stand all day in flats...

Then Monday my stomach returned to it's upset ways and threw me back a few days in training for this 1/2 Marathon in April.  I semi calculated in on my phone today the amount of miles I will be running to train for it if I run 4 miles, 3x a week, and progressively do long runs, by the time I get to run day I will have run over 220 miles starting this week alone... holy cow was my response :P  Let's see if I can make this happen... I'll try to keep you updated.  Also I agreed to run a 10k on my birthday in Puerta Plata with Simona, which will keep me going after april...

Finally I have to say something about this, as it's been on my mind a lot lately.  My family in the states told me last week that they're moving soon to a new house.  While I'm so excited for them, and I know it's what they want it makes me sad too.  I knew things wouldn't stand still at home when I came here... and I wasn't even hoping to live there much longer when I return, but I will always cherish that house as the home I grew up in.  I have been blessed all my life with amazing family, both at home and here I know I'll never be without family.  There goes another chapter :)... not that we won't still dig up the time capsule in the backyard someday.