I MADE IT TO ONE YEAR!!!
I am happy, excited and proud to say I have been living in Belize for ONE YEAR! There were many days, weeks and even months where I was not sure I would not make it to this day...but here I am looking back and smiling, exciting for the opportunities that lay in front of me and treasuring the memories behind me in this humid and diverse country of Belize.
I think back to a year ago:
I had an amazing Farewell Party at my childhood pool. My Mom pulled out all the stops to throw me a 5 star get-together. I was surrounded by my greatest friends and closest family, what a wonderful event and great way to say good-bye.
That night the "rats" (you know who you are) traveled up to Baltimore and celebrated Koches' 22nd birthday!
The weekend before I left I went to Amy Carasella-Datoc's Wedding with Sydney Shapiro.
Road tripping with Layla Shahidi we stayed the night in Richmond at Laura Garrett's and had some quality girl time. Also in Virginia Beach said a quick farewell to Ashley White.
The last few days before departure are a blur; friends/family stopping in to say bye and last minute packing. My family taking me to the Holiday Inn in Georgetown, dropping me off, tears all around.
It has been a wonderful year. Full of growth personally for me. Here are some highlights:
Climbing tons of Mayan Ruins, they are so much fun if you go to the top!
Making new friends! It sounds like I am 5 again, but wow I have met some awesome people!
Working each day with Mayan Women, they are driven to do more and try harder.
Mom and Dad visiting Belize!
Keeping some old friends! Thank heavens for internet!
Being adopted by my Belizean family! <3
Scuba certification, watch out underworld.
Visit from Devon and having awesome beach time in Placencia!
Adopting, raising, loving and losing a precious pet. Who ever thought that would happen! RIP Piglet
Living alone for the first time. Independence suites me...most days. (downstairs is my house)
Daily adventures of fighting little creatures from scorpions to spiders to geckos...all in days work here in PG.
Family trip to Hawaii!
Amanda Heien's Wedding
Library Camp 2010
Irene's awesome trip to Belize and Mexico!
These are obviously just some snippets but definitely highlights. I am happy and healthy and that is really all I could ask for. My life is pretty great. My Peace Corps experience is nothing like I thought it would be but everything I could ever want, who ever thought that could happen? I hope to continue to grow and find my place within Belize.
Thank you all for the support and love along the way.
Here is to the next year!
It has been a wonderful year. Full of growth personally for me. Here are some highlights:
Mom and Dad visiting Belize!
Keeping some old friends! Thank heavens for internet!
These are obviously just some snippets but definitely highlights. I am happy and healthy and that is really all I could ask for. My life is pretty great. My Peace Corps experience is nothing like I thought it would be but everything I could ever want, who ever thought that could happen? I hope to continue to grow and find my place within Belize.
Thank you all for the support and love along the way.
Here is to the next year!
