Happy New Year!

I cannot believe it's a new year. But isn't that always the case? I said in my New Year's post last year that I am always a little sad to say goodbye to a year. That's because my years are so wonderful and full of great things. Twenty-twelve wasn't different in that regard. Wonderful things happened and I learned so much about life and where I want to be and the things I want to do. I also learned that sometimes I am not completely sure of any of those things, and that is so totally okay too. Twenty-twelve was different though. This was a full calendar year of Peace Corps service. If you've been keeping up with my blog, it's not a surprise to you that while I continue to learn and gain so much, Peace Corps service is hard. I have never lied about that, and maybe sometimes I make it seem like it's only hard. It's rewarding and great in so many ways, but it's been a struggle some days. And that's okay. I think a lot of things in life that are worth doing and learning from are not always easy. The fact is, I love Peace Corps. I love the goals and mission of the organization. I love that I can call myself a Peace Corps Volunteer and be a part of that mission. I am honored that I was chosen for this position. I love the work my fellow PCVs and I are doing and have done. I love knowing that I have the ability, and have been given a unique opportunity to change lives. I love that my life has been changed so much by people I have grown to cherish. Regardless of the struggle and tough days, I do love it. 

Having said all of that, I'll admit it, I am so happy to welcome the year twenty-thirteen. I am okay with twenty-twelve being over. I will finish Peace Corps service this year. In so many ways I truly cannot believe this year is here. I've lived in the jungle for almost two years. That's insane. I am overwhelmed when I think about finishing up service and the fact that the majority of the work I'll do during service is coming in these last few months. That's Peace Corps though. I truly did not have the tools and resources (or language skills) to do these upcoming projects a year ago. I am thankful to be busy in these last few months. It will take my mind away from the States and wanting to be there, because I do want to be there. I am looking forward to all of my upcoming projects, but I am also looking forward to finishing my service. And I think that's a good thing. I don't want to be afraid to go back to the U.S. I want to be ready for the next chapter. I think I am. I think I know I am. I'm going to rock it in twenty-thirteen. I mean, I think I'm rockin at life pretty much all the time, but maybe I get cocky. Seriously though, I love my life, and it's a pretty good one. 

This time of year is always one of reflection, so here are the wonderful things I see when I look back at 2012:

New experiences. New experiences when the shiny wears off and they become life. Turning twenty-five in the jungle and having friends there to help me celebrate. Hugging my parents after almost a year of not seeing them. My parents on a boat in the middle of the Amazon. My parents sitting in my tiny house and hugging those I love most in my village. Youth in the interior of Suriname becoming leaders in their villages. Eating monkey and toucan in the jungle. Yet another Fourth of July and Thanksgiving celebrated with an ambassador. Curacao. Babies being born. Babies learning to walk and talk and say my name. Falling more in love with those twins I just cannot get enough of. Heartache as the big project I was working on came crashing down. Joy that my village found what they were looking for. Parasites. Dengue. Another delicious mango season. Mexican food. The U.S. of A. Mississippi, y'all. Old friends and their new babies. The most amazing and supportive family anyone could ever ask for. A Mexican restaurant in Hattiesburg, MS packed with hugs and love for me. A forgiving and faithful God. 

Let's go, 2013. I'm so glad you're finally here.