The Story in Under a Hundred

Two years up, two years down and a travel completed

Back stateside once more, just landed in Honolulu. Haven't recorded much the past two months with more than photos, and even those are mostly from others. After how badly I've wanted to get home, it's shocking to sit here and feel maybe I'm not ready.

Good-bye in Chuuk with the PC and JV crew was the most painful and difficult and beautiful send-off of my life. Caused physical pain and more than a few tears. Part of me is as desperate to go back as I was to leave Houk, back to Weno that is.

Saturday night we all stayed at Saram (one the JV apartments), had a dance party--featured 'Kids' by MGMT (the Team Chuuk theme song) with a Team Chuuk celebration chant--and absurd roof games: 'Baby, I love you' and 'Huggy Bear'. It was a perfect last night. Played soccer on Sunday and got together for dinner at High Tide before my flight.

Paul (a PCV from the M77 group) started the speeches for Kirby (another early COS PCV from my group, M76) and I. Everyone save the Xavier and new JVs spoke, and everyone made me cry. God, that tore me up in the most beautiful way. Had been taking it all in stride up till then, but the reality of leaving came crashing down just before Paul started to talk. For the second time in two years, it felt like my heart was being ripped out. Can't fully say just how much those people mean to me, how amazing they are or how much I love them.

So grateful for Eriks and his being on my flight. Being in Pohnpei with him and the PCVs there was a great way to end my time in the FSM. Brought it fill circle. Went by South Park Hotel, where we had our mid-service training in December, and it was like stepping into a memory. So powerful to see those places and people and to leave. Just hope I'm ready to arrive this evening.

Final Peace Corps Photoblog

Here's the last of the photos I have from Micronesia. There are more out there from those final days, but it'll be a while, I think, until I get copies. Probably just update this post with them, anyhow, once I do get copies. Anyhow, here are the final days in Chuuk and my trip to Pohnpei. Times at Saram, Xavier, Pisar, and Pohnpei. Miss those people and those days.