Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!

December 27^th

                I want to take a second or two to thank everybody for a wonderful year. I have been able to do many things but only because I had a lot of help! The last year of college, lots of ups and downs and confusion about the future. Graduation, somehow I made it happen! I had a great summer full of adventures and seeing everyone I love.  Joining the Peace Corps. Leaving for Ghana to live and learn from some of the most friendly people in the world. None of this would have happened without the support and love of my family and friends. Thank you.

                I thought leaving for Peace Corps in October would be a wonderful time to leave, school started, summers over, but then it’s the holiday season right off the bat. It’s a bit difficult to be so far from home and so early on in this process knowing that the holidays continue back home. I love calling home and saying hi to everybody congregated at my home or grandma’s house but it’s hard because I can remember what it’s like to be there myself surrounded by my family and enjoying good food. I think part of what makes it a little difficult is that I have not been able to settle in, call a place my own, which is something that is fairly important to me. I feel comfortable here, I can handle myself here, but I haven’t had the time to settle into my site. The holiday has only made it worse, banks are closed, markets are packed, my counterpart is busy and there are a bunch of extra people staying at my house. I cant say enough how much I love my site, my counterpart, my site mother, but guys I need a table chair and desk! At the moment Im sitting on the floor on my yoga mat with two legs that have completely fallen asleep, not really comfy.

                I was able to do one thing that has definitely made me feel much more at home. I painted my room with a “Christmas tree” and ocean!  It’s a Christmas tree because I did it on Christmas day to help fill my time. It’s probably exactly what you expect from me, a tree with flowers and an ocean with sea stars and a fish. I want to add a heart and a quote in the corner I just haven’t picked the right one yet (I’m starting a poll). The family was amazed by the painting, the little ones sat and watched for a good hour… I’m actually starting to get used to the watching. Painting really released a lot of stress for me. I’m beginning to realize how much the small art project I do really help me balance my life. For three months I didn’t do much at all, I definitely needed a little craft time!  I’m really happy with how it turned out although I couldn’t figure out how to make purple, it’s a lot harder than you think! I hope to continue this outlet of creativity once I get a desk/table/ way to organize my thoughts, I want to get my hands on a chalk board but I don’t know how possible that is going to be.