As 2011 is finally behind us and the end of my Peace Corps service is in sight (just over two weeks) I can't help but wonder about what the future holds.
Reflecting on the last 3 years of my life there are various things that stick out in mind:
* My first few nights in Kenya: traveling and seeing elephants on day2
* Getting arrested in Kenya
* My home in Garissa
* My companion, friend, and pet Baraka (English: Blessing)
* My Peace Corps family
...As time wraps up and I know I will soon write up the last three years of my life into the description of service (the only official document of my Peace Corps service) I can't help but feel that a short document can't hardly capture what the last three years of my life.
At this time I certainly am feeling a bit sad that this chapter in my life is ending, and yet, I am also very hopeful for the next chapter of my life. Before long, I'll be visiting my good friend and current PCV Chad in South Africa. From there, I'll head off to Peru where hopefully I will also be able to connect with other PCVs and continue growing as my life of service continues to unfold.
I see the end of this chapter in my life fast approaching and I also see the door that lies behind the closing of this one. What will I find behind the next door? Only time will tell.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, September 26, 2011
There comes a time...
There comes a time when a Peace Corps Volunteer begins to think maybe they've done as much as they can.
Sometimes this time comes during the first year of service.
Sometimes this time comes during the second year of service.
In some occasions, when a volunteer extends, this time even comes during the third year of service....
There comes a time when a PCV begins to think about plans after Peace Corps:
What am I going to do? Travel? If yes, where? What about a job? Where? What type of job? And what about that non-competitive eligibility after finishing PC? Do I really want to work for the government?...
There comes a time when a PCV feels proud of all the small accomplishments he has had in his term of service.
There comes a time when a PCV feels the need to stop time and be able to continue living as they are for the rest of time.
There comes a time when a PCV needs to get a taste of America (pizza, cheese, stable electricity, a flushing toilet) and have a short break (read vacation) before continuing their service.
All these times comprise the ups and downs of Peace Corps service. In any given month it I find it possible that I may feel proud of what I've done one day and the next day I'll feel like I've done as much as I can. And then the next day I have another idea of something more I can give of myself to Kenya before my term of service is up.
It's hard to put the idea I'm trying to express into words - but there comes a time...
There comes a time when a PCV feels "old" in the country - when he doesn't know half of the PCVs in country any more; or when the PCV can provide detailed corrections to the information printed in a tour book (like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide)...
There comes a time when a PCV feels like he's a great asset to the community and feel like on top of the world.
There comes a time when a PCV feels like he's wasting time not really accomplishing much in the community.
There comes a time, near the end of service, when a volunteer realizes that all the downs of the roller-coaster of service were nothing compared to the ups.
There comes a time when a volunteer realizes that the true impact of the work he has done in the various communities in Kenya is not going to be visible during the short amount of time he is here..Yet he knows that his time here has been well spent and has been to the benefit of the various communities and community members who've been in contact with him.
There will come a time when it's time to say "Well Kenya, it's been a good run. I'll keep you in my thoughts and in my heart. Both of us have grown and changed over the last few years. Until we meet again..."
There will come a time for me to say farewell to my home these past few years...But I shan't be sad when that day comes because when one adventure ends, another adventure begins. And who knows, maybe the main characters (friends/colleagues/etc) of one adventure may end up being in another adventure later on.
Sometimes this time comes during the first year of service.
Sometimes this time comes during the second year of service.
In some occasions, when a volunteer extends, this time even comes during the third year of service....
There comes a time when a PCV begins to think about plans after Peace Corps:
What am I going to do? Travel? If yes, where? What about a job? Where? What type of job? And what about that non-competitive eligibility after finishing PC? Do I really want to work for the government?...
There comes a time when a PCV feels proud of all the small accomplishments he has had in his term of service.
There comes a time when a PCV feels the need to stop time and be able to continue living as they are for the rest of time.
There comes a time when a PCV needs to get a taste of America (pizza, cheese, stable electricity, a flushing toilet) and have a short break (read vacation) before continuing their service.
All these times comprise the ups and downs of Peace Corps service. In any given month it I find it possible that I may feel proud of what I've done one day and the next day I'll feel like I've done as much as I can. And then the next day I have another idea of something more I can give of myself to Kenya before my term of service is up.
It's hard to put the idea I'm trying to express into words - but there comes a time...
There comes a time when a PCV feels "old" in the country - when he doesn't know half of the PCVs in country any more; or when the PCV can provide detailed corrections to the information printed in a tour book (like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide)...
There comes a time when a PCV feels like he's a great asset to the community and feel like on top of the world.
There comes a time when a PCV feels like he's wasting time not really accomplishing much in the community.
There comes a time, near the end of service, when a volunteer realizes that all the downs of the roller-coaster of service were nothing compared to the ups.
There comes a time when a volunteer realizes that the true impact of the work he has done in the various communities in Kenya is not going to be visible during the short amount of time he is here..Yet he knows that his time here has been well spent and has been to the benefit of the various communities and community members who've been in contact with him.
There will come a time when it's time to say "Well Kenya, it's been a good run. I'll keep you in my thoughts and in my heart. Both of us have grown and changed over the last few years. Until we meet again..."
There will come a time for me to say farewell to my home these past few years...But I shan't be sad when that day comes because when one adventure ends, another adventure begins. And who knows, maybe the main characters (friends/colleagues/etc) of one adventure may end up being in another adventure later on.
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