Friday, December 30, 2011

This Year

I feel like everyone says it every single year, but seriously, I cannot believe another year is coming to an end. So much has happened this past year, it's hard to capture it all in one blog post. Hopefully I have been doing an okay job of that since I started this blog. My friend and fellow PCV, John, posted a blog listing a few of the things he had never done before coming to Suriname. I think it's a neat way to reflect on all of the new experiences that were brought to me this year as I prepare to bid adieu to 2011. I am stealing his idea, but you can click here to read his blog. Sorry if it is more interesting than mine.

While most of the things I have experienced since being here are new and different, these are a few that stick out in my mind.
Before I moved to Suriname, never had I ever...

  • eaten a mango fresh off of the tree (or ground)
  • bathed in a river or with cold water
  • been to the jungle
  • eaten a pig's tail or a piranha
  • spoken anything besides English on a daily basis
  • had such a great tan in December
  • used a latrine
  • held a baby sloth
  • held so many babies
  • washed clothes and dishes by hand
  • lived without refrigeration and running water
  • lived alone
  • gone a week without washing my hair (Bonnaroo is 4 days, people)
  • been to South America
  • owned a machete and given it to children to use
  • had to deal with bats and rats helping me inhabit my house
  • seen a tarantula in person
  • not freaked out when I saw any size or type of spider
  • tied and slept in my own hammock. outside. in the jungle.
These are things that I did not resolve to do in 2011, but I am incredibly thankful that I have experienced them. Isn't that the way it usually is? I think so.

I think I have to give 2011 the credit for being one of the biggest and most defining years of my life. It has been huge. I was invited to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer and I accepted. I spent so much wonderful time with the people I love in preparation for not being able to spend time with them for a little while. I said goodbye to my dear family and friends knowing I would not be able to hug them for a while. Without knowing it, I also said goodbye to Mexican food and the joy it brings to my life for equally as much time. (Honestly, this year could have turned out totally differently had I know there was none to be found in this country). Finally May arrived and, despite being terrified, I boarded a plane bound for Miami.

Almost eight months later I sit here reflecting on the experiences I have had and the people that have been a part of them, and despite not being filled with Mexican food, I am filled with gratitude for the life I lead and the folks in it who make is so much sweeter.

The coming of the New Year is always a little sad for me, and that's because the current year is always pretty rockin' for me. I'm sad to see 2011 go. It has been a tremendous year. Good luck, 2012.

As I look forward to the many adventures, challenges, and experiences 2012 is sure to bring, I want to wish all of you a very happy New Year. Thank you for supporting me and keeping up with my life in 2011.

"And surely you will buy your cup and surely I'll buy mine and we'll take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne."

Sunday, December 25, 2011

I'll Be Home for Christmas If Only in My Dreams

Today is Christmas. It's my first Christmas away from my family. This Christmas I treated myself to a nice hotel room with a really comfy bed and a tv. Last night I took a hot shower for the first time since May 2. All I could do was smile, like an idiot, the entire time. Although I have to admit, like most experiences I've had in this country, it felt foreign. I am staying at this nice hotel with my friend and fellow PCV, Jamie. We had dinner by the pool last night and a delicious breakfast this morning. I have spent the majority of today in my room, watching tv and taking advantage of the hotel's internet. It has been super relaxing, and I will not judge myself if I cry when I have to check out tomorrow. 

Being away for the holidays has been an odd experience. However, I have not been as sad as I thought I might be. I know my family members are having a great holiday, and that makes me happy. I miss them and completely wish I could be there, and obviously they wish the same. 


Christmas love. 

I Skyped with the family this morning and we opened presents. Santa made it to Suriname and I am so very thankful he did. 

The Hawaii Bowl was on ESPN here today. Southern Miss to the top! 


This Christmas I traded peppermint mocha and time with my family for Peace Corps service and bug bites. I traded scarves and gloves for a really great tan, and traded turkey for pizza. I am where I should be this Christmas and, as always, I am overwhelmed with the love and support from those who mean most to me. 

And so, this Christmas I will remind myself (as I sweat and scratch bug bites) that I am here because I believe in a world governed by love and peace. I will remind myself that it is this way because the world was given a Savior, and that I am saved because of Him. On this night divine I will rejoice with the weary world and do so because of the love, joy, and peace, that lives within me because of the love that is so freely given to me. 

Happy Christmas! 

Friday, December 23, 2011

Polly Wants Nothing to do With Me

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with one of my neighbors and her bird. This woman's house is behind mine, and her bird wakes me up every single morning at about seven o'clock. Other than this bird, things are relatively quiet around my house. I had been sitting with her for a few minutes when she asked if I could write papers (like a passport) for her bird and take it to America. I did not want to be rude and ask if she was crazy, so I said, "Maybe." She then proceeded to tell me that the bird will talk to me and ask me questions and I need to answer him when he does. As I was looking in the tree above us for the bird, I asked her where the bird was. Her response was "Ma sabi sei. Kande hen go a pei ma hen o ko bakka." Translation" "I don't know. Maybe he went out, but he'll come back." I had to hold in my laughter for the duration of this conversation. 

A few days after our conversation I went back to try and talk to the bird. The lady was wrong. The bird did not ask me questions, so I tried talking to him. I wish I could say that the bird was simply ignoring me, but that's not true. As I stood under the tree talking to the bird, the bird climbed higher and higher up the branches. To which my neighbor said, "Oh he's scared of you because you're white." This cannot be real life. An animal is afraid of me because I am white. I've already had to deal with most children crying at the site of me, and now a bird? Geez. I would like to say that the babies and toddlers of Malobi are making great strides in accepting my white skin. I get more hugs than I do screams, and that is a huge improvement.

Now, if only this bird weren't hurting my ego. 


I literally had to sneak attack this bird for this picture. It kept running away from me. Not kidding.