Here Goes Something

Moving Across the Country (2): Mess with Texas

May 11, 2019May 11, 2019 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

Driving across East Texas mile marker after mile marker and being hosted by friendly strangers

Moving Across the Country (1) | Atlanta to Marshall, Texas

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

Since yesterday I’ve been nervous. A pit in my stomach and a glob of feelings in my throat. On my last official day in Atlanta, I had to get my tires rotated, finish packing my[…]

Ready or not, USA (1)

April 26, 2019April 28, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

Now, I imagined this day a million ways (my departure) and none of them could have prepared me for what it actually was. Dropped off by friends, then up ’til the last second in the[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Ringing That Bell

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

I’ve imagined the bell-ringing since the third week of service. An RPCV (return Peace Corps Volunteer) finished her service as we were starting ours, and she had a ceremony and she was kind enough to[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Despedida Lunch and Hiking a Volcano Through The Night (Never Again)

April 8, 2019April 8, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

I moved out of site on Wednesday. The last hour was the most horrible, a weeping host family, heavy bags and an honorable Lic. Enrique (the educational superintendent) who picked me up in his red[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Taking My Chances on the Border of Guatemala at the Border of Service (1)

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

As of today, I have 18 days left in service. My Peace Corps days are numbered.. ‘son contados’ says my host sister Clara. And many magical things are happening between the moments of uncertainty and[…]

My Weekend with Brócoli

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

On this quiet Sunday afternoon, I was sandwiched squarely between an older, sleeping man and a younger woman in bright coral and pink traje with plastic beading shouting across the neckline. I don’t love this[…]

Maestra de Inglés

September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

Maestra de Inglés, English teacher. I’ve always wondered if the word Maestra and Master are related. Either way, I’ve never had such a title. When I gave a diplomado in early 2018, I wanted to[…]

Somewhere Between Lights Are Out and Light At The End of the Tunnel

August 17, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

Once I reached May, the feeling of momentum changed. It felt like the end of my second trimester because I had a lot to do (CAMP in June: always capitalized as it is one of[…]

A Day as a PCV

July 12, 2018July 13, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

At the end of this day, I lay in bed and looked up at my fairy lights and thought: “yep.” This is how one day as a PCV unfolds (a Peace Corps Volunteer). Join me?[…]