Epilogue

The end has come!

I've been trying to write this post for quite some time, but it's been hard. How do you sum up two of the most critical and formative years in your life? It's impossible. And that's how it got to be February before I could finally close out this blog.

Leaving Mozambique was a very strange feeling. Put every emotion from excitement to fear to regret to hope in a blender, blend it all up, and that's what it's like. Mavudzi was my home, my world, and my life for two years, and I will always remember it fondly. However, it was also a struggle, and after two years, I was ready to move on -- with both my life and my career.

I'm back in Texas now. (Possible new spin-off blog: "From Tete to Texas: Readjustment Woes of an RPCV") Every day, I enjoy a warm bed, no bugs in my room, hot showers, and home-cooked food. I'm working, too -- I teach an adult ESL class here in San Antonio. However, on a daily basis, I miss my people -- my students, Quizito, Laura, Redi, Páscoa, other volunteers... I don't think that will ever go away.

Mozambique seems very far away to me now, both spatially and temporally, but it will always be close to me in my heart. I think it goes without saying that I am eternally grateful to everyone who was a part of my life in Mozambique.

And thus, two months late, I officially declare an end to this blog. There were so many things I never got around to writing about, but I hope that it accurately portrayed the ups and downs of my life as a Peace Corps volunteer anyway, and I hope that it will help other people make the decision to do something positive with their lives, whether that's joining Peace Corps, doing a mission trip, or volunteering in their home communities.

Thanks for reading. It's been fun.

Até a proxima!

Closing out my last few days of teaching.

My neighbors threw me an awesome goodbye party.

Moz 23, who replaced us, waits to hear their placements.

Coming full circle to say goodbye to Mamá.

Getting my "R" and hanging out with JFK.

We made it through together!

Some photos of our travels: Swaziland

Riding 4x4s in the desert of Namibia.

Namibia: Absolutely stunning.

Cape Town. One of my favorite cities in the world.

Merry Christmas from Germany with the family!

And Happy New Year!

At 10:45 a.m., I officially became a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer!

Closure

It's been a whirlwind few days! Last week, I was in Namaacha, helping to train new volunteers, and this week I'm in Maputo, the big city, getting poked and prodded and going through mountains of paperwork to officially close my Peace Corps Service.

I have so many things backed up to write about. They're all written in a little Moleskin notebook that I've been carrying around with me so I don't forget all these experiences/feelings. Unfortunately, it's just too hectic to blog properly right now. Plus, I sold my computer!

Tomorrow morning, I'll 'get my R', as Peace Corps volunteers call it -- going from a PCV to an RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer). Kind of a big deal! The next day, Lisa and I head out directly on a trek through Swaziland, South Africa, and Namibia. Eventually, I'll show up dirty and exhausted 

Expect many photos/blog posts to follow!

In the mean time... it's been real. Peace.