2...no wait...10 more months!

We just had our COS (close of service) conference. We came into this country as a group of 53, and we ended with 34. And our group has done amazing things: built aquaducts, taught HIV/AIDS and sexual education, registered Dominicans with birth certificates, taught children and adults how to read and write, built stoves and gardens and chicken coops.

At the conference, we learned how to readjust back to life in the US, where there is an overwhelming variety of things: foods in the supermarket, clothes in the department stores, and where kids need toys and aren’t happy just playing with a tire and a stick. But the best part of the conference was just to talk with the other volunteers. We told stories and we could all relate and understand each other’s experiences because no matter how many times we talk to people back in the US or how many times they read our blogs (no offense), people who have not done Peace Corps in the DR will not understand Peace Corps in the DR.

After three days of talking about resumes and filling out closing paperwork, we all went out to Bavaró to celebrate at an all-inclusive resort. The white sand, the endless buffets of hot dogs and hamburgers and pizza, and the air conditioning hotel rooms were a welcome change to the past two years.

After two years living in Baoba, I have developed such strong bonds with the community. It truly does feel like I belong here, like I have a home and a family here. I have decided to extend my service for an additional 8 months. In Abreu, a small town about 20 miles from Baoba, I will work to set up a children’s library in the local elementary school. I chose this extension project because of its closeness to Baoba. Hopefully I will be able to help my kids transition from me leading all of the youth meetings to them taking control and initiative. I will be far enough away where they will have to learn not to rely on me to make things happen, but I will still be close enough to visit frequently and to help out if any problems should arrive.

I’m really excited about the library project. After working in such an unstructured environment with the various youth groups, it will be nice to have a well-structured project and hopefully a visible outcome when the library is completed. I promise to come home in July, no more extensions! And just because I’m extending does not mean that I do not love you all and miss you (please pass that message along to Jordan). I’m extremely anxious to come home, but I feel that in order to really complete my service here in the Dominican Republic successfully I need to do this project.

Although I’ve made friends and developed strong relationships here in the DR, it’s still extremely hard to live so far away from you all. Please continue to send cards; they really mean a lot to me. And a big thanks to Gina for sending me the numerous children’s books- they have been such a huge hit!