It’s a prime number year, and because of that, I am convinced 2011 is going to be great, or at least a drastic improvement from 2010. Not that 2010 was horrible, but it definitely had its challenges, and I am definitely excited and relieved it has ended. My brother and sister-in-law will welcome a new baby boy at the end of this month, and just with that 2011 might be the best year ever. My mom and oldest brother will (hopefully, fingers crossed) come visit in March, which I am already way too excited about. Remi too is thinking about coming for his 3rd, yes I said 3rd! visit to the DR, and on a personal note, I come home in 2011. I’ve been waiting for this year since 2009, and now that it’s here, I think I should take time to think about 2010, so I can truly appreciate 2011 in all its prime number glory…
Things I am grateful for/learned a lot from in 2010, and also things I hope to improve/change in 2011.
1) Science and Technology: because without them, and more specifically medical advancements, 2010 would have been a much worse year than it already was for my mom.
2) Airplanes: how great are airplanes?! And with this, the geographical location of the DR. Coupled with airplanes, the DR’s location was never far enough to get me home when I really needed to be.
3) Family: for obvious reasons. Being away from my family, I just… well I love and miss them more than I can say. I have also learned that family grows and grows and never stops unless you are unwilling. Not only do I have my amazing, wonderful family at home, but I also really do have family here in the DR. Silvia, Juan Ramon, Angel, Anji, Mercedes, Masop, Francia, Lidio and Rosa- they have all taken me in as one of their own.
4) Remi Warren: why he puts up with me sometimes, I’ll never know. But I am really grateful, even when I forget to show it. The Warren Familia as well: they are the most generous, caring people on the planet, and nothing you could do would ever make you feel like an outsider with them.
5) Variety in Seasons: yes, having a “cold winter” in the DR makes me remember what cold actually feels like, and how happy I am I don’t have to live on this island forever. Why people would ever choose to live in this kind of climate is beyond me.
6) Ambar, Yociairy and Bethania: the three teenage girls who have made my girls group possible (and actually show up to most of my meetings). They have really made my PC service what I was hoping it would always be. They have impacted my life more than they’ll ever know, and I will never forget them.
7) The Dominican Republic in general: We all knew it was coming… the obvious statement of how “the Peace Corps changed my life.” Well, let’s be serious, it’s true. But more than that, the Dominican Republic has changed me and my life. I’m not the same person I was when I left in March 2009 and I don’t think I’ll ever be that person again.
I feel like the DR, Peace Corps; living daily life in a developing country has literally slapped me in the face. Whether it was from the heat, the lack of creature comforts from home, being sick way more than I ever could have imagined or just being away from all the people I love, especially my family- the DR has taught me a few things about this world.
Sometimes I can feel myself being negative, pessimistic about it all (okay, admittedly, I notice that about myself way more than sometimes). Pessimistic about people and their ability to follow through, about people’s intentions and expectations, about luck never being on your side and the rain never letting up so I can have a meeting.
The world, the DR, has slapped me in the face, because it has shown me how people outside of the 1st world live. It has shown me the cruelties and realities of life, of people being hungry and uneducated, and of people trying to take advantage of the system (yes, I am part of that system now and again) to help themselves and their family, because the government or anyone else sure as heck isn’t going to do it.
I have been witness to hilarity, joys beyond belief, awkwardness and unfortunately, some of the most depressing things about our human race. I feel like I’ve grown up. And the truth is I thought I was so mature and ahead of the game when I arrived back in March 2009.
That is my biggest lesson from the year 2010. Just when you think you know, when you think you’ve got it all figured out, everything around you changes. The clouds open up, the sun starts to shine and that meeting about buying books for a town library you were sure was going on your “doomed” list, actually happens.
We as humans have much to learn from each other, and any country that thinks it’s ahead of the game has many of the same lessons to learn that I have. In the highly anticipated, prime number year of 2011, I hope to remember a few of the the things that matter:
1) Family
2) Friends and all loved ones- both new and old.
3) Being a humble and grounded person, because this world we live in sure has some things to show and tell us.
4) Kindness to strangers- especially those who look nothing like you and do weird things that are not part of your culture norms like show up on time or refuse to eat chicken feet.
5) Openness to everything: people, places, food, experiences (good or bad) and love.
6) Love. At the end of the day, at the end of my time with the Peace Corps, here in the DR, I just want to give love. Because I think we live in a circle, a hoola-hoop if you will. If you put love into your hoola-hoop motion, it will have no choice but to circle around you and find you once more.
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