I just got home on Thursday after having been away from site for almost three weeks. I realized before I left that it would be the last time I left Novoazovsk with the intention on returning back to it. The next time I leave, I won't be coming back. The end of my Peace Corps service is near, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
First, let me back up a bit. Why was I gone for three weeks? The first week was spent in Prague with Jesse, my school director and some of my students. The next week was spent partly in Kiev and partly in Chernigov where Group 41 (the people I came to Ukraine with) had its close of service conference or COS. The beginning of the next week was spent in Kiev where I had my final medical appointments which is policy for all volunteers on there way out. It has been an overwhelming few weeks filled with a plethora of emotions ranging from excitement and awe to anxiety and sadness. I fully intend on breaking down the past few weeks in other posts complete with pictures and more details about my adventures. However, right now I just want to use this blog as an outlet for all of the things that have been running through my head lately and to update you all on what is coming up next for me.
So, the COS conference. This is a time when the group of volunteers you arrived with are all brought together to discuss there experiences with each other and Peace Corps staff as well as learn about all of the benefits that we as Returned Peace Corps volunteers get (Funny. I remember there being a whole lot more of them when I first signed up.). It was a chance to see all of the good friends that I have made over the past two years as well as some people that I haven't seen since swearing in. There was a lot of "How has the past two years been?" and "Are you ready to get out of here or what?". These standard questions were immediately followed by the question that I have personally come to dread a little bit: "So, what are you plans after Peace Corps?". Each time I talked with someone, I knew it was coming. It's not there fault. It's a normal question that any acquaintance should ask in a situation like this.
It's just so happens that I am a little bit self conscious about my answer. It's hard to give an answer of "I don't really know yet" to the person who just told you that they have been accepted to Harvard or NYU or that they have an amazing job lined up with the State Department. Honestly, responding with "I'm just not sure yet" makes me feel like the biggest slacker in the history of slackers. Don't get me wrong. I'm not the only one in this boat. Plenty of my PC pals are also playing by it ear. It just so happens that having a plan is deep rooted into my bones. I've always had a plan. Always. And now, here I am a little over a month from the end of this journey and I find myself jobless and grad school-less. So, what's a girl to do?
Well, this girl is going to try her best to enjoy it. Seriously. As much as I love being productive and as much as I know I will begin to feel like a bit of a slacker after one week of being home, I'm going to try to enjoy it. I'm going to sleep late and exercise. I'm going to stay up late and write. I'm going to cook for my family and play and make up for lost time with my niece. I'm going to go for coffee dates with friends and walks with loved ones. I'm going to go on real dates with my boyfriend and finally get to be a real couple complete with brunch dates and day trips.
So, it turns out that I do have a plan. My plan is to enjoy life and take it one day at a time. I'll start the job/grad school hunt when I'm ready. Until then, here's to taking each day as it comes and enjoying my last month as a Peace Corps volunteer.
