Good Night and Good Luck

Two years. Two years filled with never ending days that flew by in a blur. Its crazy to think that it is over. Its been amazing and frustrating, and usually just amazingly frustrating. As a result I am drained, mentally and physically fatigued from a culmination of two years in a very harsh environment and culture. It is mentally exhausting to live here and emotionally I am so looking forward to going home and not having to analyze every comment or action and constantly be on guard against sexual harassment and abuse. I am tired of thinking the worst of people as a means of self preservation.

It has been challenging, but I definitely would do it again if only to have the experience and understanding of myself and the way this part of the world works that i have now. For all most every moment when I wanted to pull my hair out and scream at someone, I can recall and even more vivid memory of moments spent with my favorite children, joking around with friends, being taught how to cook or farm or the community turning out in full force for a celebration. People ask me to sum up my experience in a word or a phrase, but that is impossible. The journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns, but I have passed them and now I can look back and say I've done it. I will always have these memories and valuable life experiences to fall back on wherever life takes me. I had no idea what was in store for me when I got on that plane two years ago bound for West Africa, nor could I have ever begun to imagine. Now I am in the reverse position, anxiously awaiting the next chapter of my life back home, almost equally as nervous about the unknowns but perhaps a little more confident in my ability to tackle them. This experience has changed my life and taught me innumerable lessons and for that I am deeply thankful to these people and this place and also to myself for finding the courage to let go and jump.

But there is no way I could have done it on my own and for that I want to send out a huge thank you to my friends and family, both in American and here in The Gambia, for the encouraging words, open ears and sound advice. The support has been amazing and I couldn't imagine getting through this journey without it. My service has been so shaped by the amazing friends I have made within the PC community. This journey would have been much harder without them. I want to thank them and I hope we will all continue to keep in touch once we are stateside and flung to our own destinies.

To all of you, your amazing and I'm lucky to have you in my life. God bless and catch you State side!