It’s Ticking Away

I have two months left. This might a lot of time to a baby who can double in size and gain some huge human ability. It could have also been a lot of time if I was going to volunteer abroad under different circumstances. Spring break mission trips are only a week or two and I would surely splurge at REI while packing and have some tearful goodbyes. After two years on this island, however, two months is piddly. It signifies a seriously short countdown of classes to be taught, bus trips to visit volunteers, and chances to sit in plastic chairs next to bachata blaring speakers waiting for a dance partner.

I am taking more pictures and initiating more hugs from my special ladies and kids. I get nostalgic taking bucket baths on my patio in my underwear and using the water I boiled eggs in to make hot powdered milk. Right now, we are on a favorable electricity schedule meaning our power is out during the heat of the day and turns on at dusk for lit loud nights. I keep on crazily hoping that it will reverse so that I get to make dinner, the classic eggs and milk, by candle light and walk around visiting by the light of my cell phone.

Another factor countering my end game success is the inevitable mental and physical vacationing. I came an hour and a half and three dollars to this big dusty town to sit in an internet center blasting Akon for no great reason. After using the ATM, the only actual business I have here, I am sitting in an internet center on a virtual American escape. I have four windows open to look at my nieces on facebook, my future university’s bookstore paraphernalia and recipes for quesadillas of which I don’t have any ingredients or intention of making. I will go climb in the cab of a truck and sit four across where the the driver usually shifts between my legs and read a good chunk of a novel. I could try to stay present but I choose to believe that would be silly and futile.

My plan for the end is a combo of savoring my sweet town and the much more fun rest of the country. 1) I will continue to ask you for money for water filters. Donate! 2) I will hold hodgepodge art events so my sacrificial magazines, animal cut-outs and package confetti will be used up and glued to something. 3) I will continue to fantasize about family, dessert and hot baths. I need to get ready! I wouldn’t want a delicious meal to surprise me. 4) I will talk on the phone with my Peace Corps buddies who, sadly, may be the only people to whom I can relate. 5) Even better, I will resist the urge of reading a 150th book and do more traveling and visiting to hang out with them. To the beach for my birthday!

Accompanying this perfect plan will be tears, random acts of kindness, boredom and complaining. Let’s do this!