Nicaragua: People, get ready

Well, my friends, we have completed another journey around the sun. 2014 was challenging, empowering, difficult, joyful, sorrowful, and everything in between.

Reflecting on the past year has allowed me to recognize the highs and lows of my Peace Corps life. During our first few months in country, we were told about the "mood swings" that we were likely to experience over the forthcoming 2-year experience, and were even given a chart that mapped it all out. How did I fare during months 11-22 of my service? 

January (month 11)

Boredom - School was out, everybody spent all their money during December, and life was slow.

February (month 12)

On the upside - I explored new parts of Nicaragua, organized a leadership camp, and school started again.

March (month 13)

Anxiety - I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what my role would be with my counterpart teachers throughout the school year, as well how I would contribute to the Peace Corps committees to which I was appointed a member.

April (month 14)

Heat exhaustion - The well went dry, the rain stopped, and it was simply too hot to accomplish basically anything.

May (month 15)

Climbing up - A re-connection with my fellow volunteers helped to refocus and define my goals for the remaining year of service.

June (month 16)

Life's good - The rain started, I could properly bathe again, I started teaching piano lessons, and felt confident in my relationships with my counterparts.

July (month 17)

Frustration and escape - Feeling unsupported in many aspects while doing committee work left me beyond frustrated. Then I went back to the States for the first time in over 16 months to celebrate a couple of weddings.

August (month 18)

Lowest - Adjusting back to life in Nicaragua after being home for a little over 2 weeks brought a bought of unexpected homesickness. Even though I had an established routine and enjoyed my work, my heart took longer than expected to return to Nicaragua.

September (month 19)

Still low but getting through - A million school interruptions occurred due to the Independence Day celebrations. Then my Grandpa Ray passed away, and I went home for his funeral.

October (month 20)

Getting better - After properly saying goodbye to my Grandpa and spending time with my family, my second trip back to Nicaragua was easier than the first. Then along came business competition season and "work mode" picked up.

November (month 21)

Work it - The month of our National Congress and Competition meant a lot of work for us members of the organizational committee. I somehow found time and energy to study for and take the GRE this month as well.

December (month 22)

Breathe - Competitions over, school out, and people in celebration mode. 

I am now entering month 23 out of 27, and according to the "experts," the next months are likely to be low due to trauma of departure, concerns about social re-entry in the U.S., bridging my new and former identity, redefining my career goals, and redefining my host country based on relationships. All this could result in fright, confusion, alienation, anxiety, panic, giddiness, impatience, and obsession with planning and scheduling. 

You know what I have to say to that? Whatever. Highs and lows will come regardless, and they will continuously result in wisdom gained, lessons learned, and stories to be told. 

2015 is full of so many opportunities and countless unknowns and the potential has me giddy with excitement. I'm just going to hop on my surfboard and keep riding the waves.