One Year

As I sat saturday on the steps of the bank, waiting for Alyssa and Colin to get their money, my only thought was "how the hell am I going to make it through another year?"

Don't worry, this post gets more optimistic. However, my thoughts for the last week have definitely run the gamut.

One year, This time last year I was living in a little rondaval with another trainee, across from a married couple, spending days in long sessions and nights handing out with other trainees. I didn't even know was isndbele was, having no idea about the language that would continue to befuddle me. I remember meeting Sbongile for the first time, not yet knowing I was going to be the one to replace her. She looked impecable in a long flowy skirt and a tanktop while I sweated profusely in my business casual.

It's been a year and I haven't been able to replicate Sbongile's style or sense of calm or ease. However, I have made my own style in bundu, my sweaty, goofy, terrible isndebele, goofing with kids style. Bundu is my home. I teach, I run my gogo's group, I do random projects. I help in the garden. I talk. I have coffee. I play with the kids. I try to find new stuff to do.

Its pleasant and nice and fun and feels like life. I'm not the best or most hardworking peace corps volunteer, but I've done a bit. All but two of the students in my grade 9 english class passed. My gogo's are trying to get their group registered as an NPO. We are working on the IGA stuff. I'm teaching life orientation this term. My boyfriend is coming to visit in 17 days.

I'll make it through this year like I did the last. One day at a time.

After about a month of leave, I am finally home in Bundu. Will describe the leave by all the different types

Administrative- Took the GRE. Did pretty decently. Looking into getting my master's of public affairs/policy or urban planning. Spent my downtime in Pretoria hanging out with friends who were passing through. Saw many of my friends who started PCSA a year ahead of me go through their Close of Service Conference. Some have left already. That's going to be me in a year...eish

Holiday- Met up with my friend Emily and took a 12 hour bus ride to our friend Dan's house outside Richard's Bay. It was wonderful, we went to St. Lucia to see turtles (saw one lay a hundred or so eggs), went to the beach everyday, saw the hobbit, met many of Dan's friends and coworkers and had a ton of really wonderful meals with wonderful company. The last day I boarded the plane and headed home

Annual- America. What can I say. I spent time with my family, friends and boyfriend, ate delicious food, explored wonderful places, enjoyed being with the people I loved.
I felt a little out of sorts in America. I realize that in South Africa I always have a purpose to my life there. In america, I felt somewhat lost. It was a vacation, but I missed knowing what I was there to do. It reaffirmed my decision to stay in Africa...I just wanted to bring some people back with me. Thankfully my family is visiting in June and my boyfriend even sooner so I'll be able to see as many people as I can.

When I got back, I spent some days in Pretoria, getting over jetlag and clearing up some medical issues (Mango Schisto Sunshine...now Acid Reflux?) I still felt a little out of sorts until I got to Bundu on Sunday, when as soon as I saw my village over the hill, I felt like I had come home.

In about ten days I'll hit my year mark, which will be followed in a month by the halfway mark and the less than a year mark. Makes me contemplative, wondering what I have done this last year and what will I do after Peace Corps. Whatever happens, I'll try to enjoy the ride