(November 20, 2012)

So I have been back about a week and a half. I am definitely adjusting. This weekend I began to wonder if my decision to continue working at my school was the right one. Everyone from my group of two years ago is leaving, and I am remaining. That feels weird. Then, those of us who are staying, most went to work with NGOs.  As well, after Peace Corps, I am thinking I would like to work for an NGO after being in the States and having the time to think about what I want to do next year.  However, none of the NGOs were a fit for me. So I decided to stay at my school.  So here I am.  So, I am going to sit back and see where this year takes me. Hopefully, my gut instinct was right.

Also, I have finally got the inspiration to actually feel like doing some things from more time to do than think! THANKS! So what do I have planned for the upcoming year:

·         MATH MEET: I am hoping to start working on this in December, and maybe get it going in February for an O-level Competition with my school and two local schools.  If that goes well, maybe try a second O-level competition and the first A-level competition in late April. If all goes well, try a second A-level competition in beginning of November

·         RUNNING: I am going to run the Kili Half Marathon Again in February

·         GET BETTER AT KISWAHILI, MAYBE LEARN XHOSA

·         WORKING ON START UP VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL

·         STUDYING FOR GRE, APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOLS?

·         LOOKING FOR A JOB?

·         FIGURING OUT HOW I FIT INTO AFRICA

·         MOST IMPORTANT….WHERE AM I GOING TO TRAVEL IN A YEAR??

·         ENJOY MY LIFE!!

Continued Later…So I just got back from visiting a friend, and I am now listening to “Give Me Everything Tonight”. I feel like last year I always waited for the moment in that song and forgot the everyday normal things. So many times, I feel we look forward to those nights that we forget the in between. Yeah, I enjoy those nights, but those nights are best when they are not expected. Lately, I look forward to things, and yeah they are fun, but not as much as I build them up to be. However, when I am not expecting them, they are always always the best. So, maybe I am not going to give everything to just one night.    

But, I am really excited for Thanksgiving. Although, I will not celebrate it with many of you on Thursday or with turkey, I am going to celebrate Friday with a chicken.  Also, for those vegetarians and vegans out there, just fast forward to the next sentences. I am going to kill a chicken myself and make it from scratch. Picture will be to come.  So, we are going to roast chicken, mashed potatoes, maybe some fruit, wali (rice), ugali (stiff porridge), bananas, maybe pineapple. It is going to be amazing…if you are going to be in Moshi... Karibu! 

Since, I will not be posting before Thanksgiving. I want to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for every one of the amazing people in my life! Each person is such a blessing and is an important piece in my life! So this year, I am thankful for amazing people, the opportunity to figure out where my passions truly lie, and an amazing year ending and another to start. Though don’t be mistaken, I will be thinking of all you celebrating on Thursday and wish I could be with you. Because there is nothing to be more thankful in life than love, and my family and friends are the loves of my life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!