Acknowledgements

Here it is: my farewell post. I finish my tour with the Peace Corps on April 27th and fly back home the next day. I still have a week left and may very well make a few more posts after this, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me through this experience, because I really would not have been able to do it without you.

I realize the problem with the way I’ve written this post is that I have inevitably forgotten to mention someone. But that’s only because so many people have helped me through this experience that it’s virtually impossible to name them all. So whether your name appears below or not, if you’re reading this and you know me, then thank you. Even if all you’ve ever done is read this blog now and then, thank you for thinking of me and taking interest. It truly does mean a lot to me.

Mom, Dad, Michael and Trish: Thanks for all the packages (seriously the best part of my month), mixed CDs, love and support. You guys always found a way to let me know you had my back and were thinking of me. Knowing that always made it easier to get through whatever challenges I was facing. Not to mention the fact that I always felt cool for knowing what the hot new song was back in the States. I love you guys so much more than you can ever know.

Aunt Christine, Uncle Bob, Rachel and M&M: You guys have been so supportive throughout this whole experience. Being this far away from everyone has made me realize how lucky I really am to be part of such an amazing family. Thanks for all the packages and letters. I can’t wait to hang out again.

Beppe and Opa: Thank you as well for caring and showing me your support with the packages and phone calls. I think I get my sense of adventure and love of travel from the both of you. Having heard your stories from all the places you’ve been was a big part of what inspired me to take on this experience. I love you both.

Juan Jo: You are one of the best friends I’ve ever had and just thinking about the fact that I’m not going to be able to hang out with you every day is making me really, really sad. It was so nice to have someone right by my side going through basically the same experience as me. Thanks for always being there to listen. You are an amazing, big-hearted guy and I’m going to miss you like crazy. Yo sé que no es adiós para siempre, sólo hasta que nos volvamos a ver.

Sara: First of all, thanks to you and your whole family for taking me in during las fiestas. You truly made me feel welcome and made it much easier to be away from my family at that time of year. And even more than that, thanks for being such a great friend and such a happy, smiling person. You always make me laugh. Cuidate mucho. Hasta pronto.

JuanCo: (Even though I know everyone else calls you JuanCa) I wish we had been able to hang out more while I was here, but I’m glad we got to know each other. You’re a great friend and I hope we’ll keep in touch.

My Huehue family: We are one. We are Huehue. I think it was fate that sent me way-way far away to become a part of this group of hair-band-loving, off-beat misfits. I’ve never felt so accepted and supported by a group of people in my life. Wait, what does that say about me? Eh, who cares? One love. That was f@#%ing sweet!

Parramos Crew: Way too many memories, laughs and shenanigans. Thanks for adopting me. I’ll always remember all the … pet hair. To be honest, the rest will be a bit fuzzy thanks to combining Benadryl and Kristina pours. We’ll always have Aca.

Cat: My PC mentor. You may not have wanted that title, but I’m giving it to you anyway, because that’s what you were. Thanks for all the words of wisdom and keeping me grounded when I was freaking out. And thanks for keeping the lights on and the door always open at Posada Chiantla II (Cynthia’s place was Posada Chiantla I because she was there first). You rock my socks off (including all the ones you left me). Huista 4-eva.

Miller Time (Mata Huevos): Seems like swear-in was yesterday. Thanks for being my verbal sparring partner (most people aren’t up to the challenge) and making me laugh with your random pet peeves and idiosyncrasies. Just jump off the back of the bus, woman! Also, mark my words: You will be a Bananagrams convert by the time I get through with you.

Ash: There aren’t enough words in the English – or Spanish – language. I would have ET’d so freaking long ago had you not been here. Thanks for all the hours-long vent sessions (What the hell did we even talk about!?) and the plethora of emails with funny anecdotes, interesting links, history lessons and no subject lines. It all kept me going whenever the crap was hitting the fan – that, and the fact that you hate sentences that end in prepositional phrases as much as I do. From now on, when the clock strikes 9, I will always have this strong urge to call you. I’m going to miss you. Thanks for being a friend.

Kristin and Damian (and Rico): Thanks for putting up with my crazy this last month. It was great getting to know you guys. Good luck with the next two years. Make the most of it. The Jacal legacy is now in your hands.

Katie E.: You are truly an awesome friend. Thanks for the packages and staying in touch. It may not have seemed like much to you, but it was nice to know that someone back home was thinking of me (who wasn’t more or less required to do so due to the laws of nature), and knew I needed pens!

Brookster: Ditto goes for you, roomie. Thanks for letting me call and rant, even though most of the time you probably had no idea what the hell I was going on about. I can’t wait to hit the town with you again Spokane-style.

My Funky Table Brothers: Thank goodness for Facebook and the ability to keep up with all the crazy goings-on in your lives. No matter how hard things sometimes got here, I could count on you all for a laugh. I had so much fun hanging out with you guys (minus a notable few) on my visit home and can’t wait to get right back to it. So, what do we think? Is everyone ready for FTB: The Seattle Years?

Training Class of Winter 2008: Seniors rule! We did it, and I don’t think it’s stretching to say we were the coolest training class yet. I mean, does anyone else have a PC rap group? “Environmental Ed: recyclin cans. Healthy Schools: we be washin hands. But man, you know we bad up in Eco-Turismo. Walkin in the room sin pedir permiso. Xerlies be tryin to robar mi estilo but, they got nothin on my bod ‘o steel, yo! I count the days, but I done lost track. Goin’ native, want my foreskin back. A new life in a brand new ‘hood. When you been here a year, traje looks damn good!” Just sayin. Thanks for being friends.

To the people of Jacaltenango: Even though there’s a good chance that no one from Jacal will ever read this, I would be remiss if I did not mention the people of the town that has been my home for the last two years. It is the people here who have made my Peace Corps service the rich, life-changing experience that it was. So many of them welcomed me into their homes and families. They looked out for me and made sure I was safe. Above all, they befriended me, shared themselves and their culture with me, and allowed me to share a bit of myself with them. I am forever changed for it. Jacal will always feel like a second home to me and I leave it with a heavy heart. I would especially like to thank the Ros, Rojas and Mendoza families and my good friend Seño María Asunción.

To everyone who supported our projects: I realize I am behind in providing you with an official update. One is on the way. But for now, let me just say, unofficially, thank you so much. Your contributions have made and will continue to make a huge difference in the lives of the people of Buxup and Taj Buxup and we could not have completed the kitchens without your support.

Everyone who sent a package wrote a letter or an e-mail, left a comment, prayed for me or kept me in their thoughts: Thank you times a million. Your support really has been a blessing and if I didn’t know so many people were behind me, I never would have made it through this. Gracias por todo!

Peace out,
Kristina