Being Present

Being present has become more relevant to me as my days in the DR are numbered.  I can already feel the stress and pressures of American society tugging on me as I’m mired in grad school decisions, financial considerations, and questions of the future.  But I have to keep reminding myself, “Stay here.  You are here now, so relish every last moment.“

I look forward to the exciting life I have ahead of me—reconnecting with old friends and family, starting graduate studies with a new “worldly” perspective, searching for my life partner, eating good food, looking good and wearing fashionable clothes, going to museums and concerts and professional panels.

But I’m going to miss a lot here—the food, the warmth of the people, all my amazing Peace Corps friends, bachata, la pasión, Spanish all the time, the beautiful untouched beaches, smoke from a fogón, climbing mountains, horses and chickens, swimming in the ocean, making up stuff, reading and drinking tea in the afternoon, enjoying the sunset, and taking it easy everyday.  I’m not looking forward to a stressful, hectic life.

This experience has been transformative for me.  I’m more open-minded, less scared of looking foolish, used to failing then trying again, and more realistic.  I want to maintain the idealism I had when I started service, but I now know that things don’t change overnight; they don’t even change over two years, but you have to be persistent and not let anything get the best of you.  You must be strong but kind.  You must be present and appreciate what you DO have.  You must enjoy your life and breathe and laugh.  Peace Corps has indeed changed my life, and I’m so glad I did it.

I imagine I’ll be stuck between two worlds when I return to the States.  It’ll take some time getting used to the rigidity, the notion of timeliness, the over-stimulation of American culture.  I’m glad to go back, but it’ll be awkward--again.  But I’m an expert at embracing the awkward. 

Stephanie and I enjoying the beach -- while we still can.

This is real and not a postcard. 

We went to the beach on horseback.  This is Camaron, or "Shrimp."  We had to ride (slowly) for an hour through the campo and it was gorgeous.