So we're back to hot again, folks. I won't complain too much... I've really only had one night of sticky sleep so far this season, which is unheard of. It's been raining here for the past 3 days, so the humidity is killer, but the cool breeze at night keeps things bearable.
I have reached the one year mark of my Peace Corps service. One week from this Saturday, I will be swearing out and returning to the United States. With having recently said goodbye to the group of Ag Volunteers before me, G-28, and what with looking forward to my own upcoming visit to the U.S. to spend my birthday (!), Christmas (!), and New Years' (!) with my family and friends, I find myself thinking a lot about the meaning of one more year in Paraguay.
I now understand the importance of two years of service instead of just one. In some ways, it seems like just now am I really understanding the dynamics of my community and the pace of life based around agriculture in Paraguay. Right now is the first time I have seen corn, beans, onions, and watermelon in their entire life cycle in Paraguay, from seed to fruit. The green manure crops that I promote - I am just now myself becoming really familiar with the appearance, benefits, and necessities of each variety. So in many ways, I am JUST NOW becoming truly competent in my identified sector of service. I also speak much better Guarani now than I did a year ago, and understand better social and work customs, and so am able to be more appropriate in my requests and suggestions.
However, for as much as has happened in the past year.... It doesn't seem like much. I know, I know, that's probably not true in the scheme of things. And hey, I'm not out to save the world here. I'm here to work myself out of a job. It's just that I don't know how much more will be able to change in the next year either. The pace of life and of change is just so slow here. And people in general aren't very motivated to really implement new things and follow through on them. So what am I doing here? I have heard other Volunteers say that the one year mark is a tough time, and that your second year will pass so quickly you won't even believe it. But yes, that is hard to believe right now.
I have things to look forward to here in Paraguay. I really do. I'm planning a three day long kids' summer camp for the end of January, and will start up Book Club 2011 in February with more books and better ideas than ever before. (Thanks Nicole and Mom!!). A new womens' comite is forming and they seem more organized, so I may have more work opportunities with a part of the community I don't know too well yet. My house is finally a cooler, more comfortable place with flowers and veggies growing well and my fence keeping the cows out. I'm planning on taking advantage of this campo lifestyle for the remaining year I have here by getting 2 or 3 egg-laying chickens for fresh eggs and a piglet to fatten for my goodbye party. I may even get REALLY guapa and find myself a horse. Who knows. I also have grandeur ideas of training for a 10k and learning to play the guitar.
It is a doubting moment, but I think it also has a lot to do with being away from home and from my family for so long. I miss everyone so much. And living by yourself in another culture and spending so much time in your own head can really screw with you. These things I know. I guess that I all can do right now is recognize that this is a low moment and accept it. I'm trying to spend as much time visiting with neighbors and working in my garden & demo plot to pass the time. I know that these 2 weeks will pass before I know it - it's just that the hours themselves seem to pass so slowly.
USA here I come! Can't wait to see you all. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
