As you mash your potatoes, baste your Turkey, and slice the
cranberry sauce, I will most likely be sleeping with my fan directly on me due
to the 7 hour time difference and the +100° temperatures. Not to worry, though. This weekend, a bunch of PCV’s will be
traveling to Polokwane where we will celebrate the great American holiday of
Thanksgiving, my personal favorite holiday.
While it pains me to be away for yet another holiday and to miss our
local Gobble Wobble for the 2nd year in a row, I am happy to say I
have much to be thankful for this year.
I’ve taken the liberty to list just some of the things I am thankful
for. I’ve chosen to be symbolic, listing
something I am grateful for, for every month of my Peace Corps service,
totaling 26 items. I thought of doing
days, but it’s been brought to my attention that I’ve been here for 502
days. That would take a really long time
and I doubt you’d want to read that much while the football game or the parade
is on.
I am thankful for…
1.
My family who supports me no matter what. I am so grateful for my Mom and Dad, all of
my brothers and sisters, my nephews, my Aunts and Uncles, my cousins, and my
Grandmom.
2.
My friends back home who I love just as dearly
as if they were my family. This includes
my friends from high school, from university, from the Crew, from running, etc.
3.
My boyfriend, Nick, who is also my best friend,
treats me like gold and makes me feel like a princess every time that I’m with
him.
4.
My family here who gives me a place to call home
and loving faces to come home to everyday.
I am so lucky to have my host mom who taught me how to hand wash my
clothing and introduced me to the community, and my host brothers who won’t let
me help fetch the water from the borehole and constantly make me laugh.
5.
The PCVs in my group and from other groups. The support we give each other is incredible
and the PCVs I work with have become like family to me.
6.
The Peace Corps Staff in South Africa who work
hard to keep us safe.
7.
My learners who make even the toughest days worth
it.
8.
My counterparts who teach me as I try to teach
them, and show constant improvement.
9.
My principals who truly care about my wellbeing
and help me to accomplish my projects and my goals.
10. My
village which has taught me the beauty of simplicity and to slow down a bit.
11. The
people in my village who make me feel like I am on “Cheers,” where everybody
knows your name, especially the Gogo’s and the kids.
12. Wonderful
people like Sue & Eddie, and Andreis & Fleur who insist on taking care
of me and the other volunteers whenever they can.
13. My
education that I have learned not everyone is fortunate enough to receive.
14. My
health which has continued to stay in good standing despite what many of the
sessions the PCMO’s (Peace Corps Medical Officers) led during training had me
thinking.
15. The
opportunity to be a Peace Corps Volunteer – to learn a new language (or 2),
learn a new culture, and have your life changed, while hopefully making an
impact where you can.
16. My two
legs and my sneakers that allow me to run wherever I go.
17. Getting
to spend Christmas with my American family and my South African family,
bringing my two worlds together.
18. Realizing
that I’ll never want to be a celebrity.
19. Having
my needs in life met – always having food on the table, having a roof over my
head, shoes on my feet, clothes in my closet, etc.
20. Having
projects that are going in a successful direction, and that I can see lasting
once I am gone.
21. Organizations
like Mother Bear and Darien Book Aid that make our job as PCVs much easier.
22. My
blackberry that keeps me in contact with family and friends back home, and
helps me to do a lot of my work here.
23. My fan,
my fridge, and my blender that make summer months here bearable.
24. Sunscreen.
25. The
ability to cook for myself. While pap is
good occasionally, I could not eat it every day.
26. Knowing
that I’ll be home for Thanksgiving next year.
Remember that Thanksgiving is a time to count your
blessings, not your calories. Dig in and
enjoy everyone.
Le rata,
Meg :)
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