My First Two Weeks at Site and X-mas

Time is a strange thing. It’s been only 14 days at site, but it feels like it’s been both forever and only a few days.

I will say, however, I feel like I’m slowly becoming more accustomed and adjusted to life here, despite my multiple “power crying” sessions and breakdowns. Between site installation and now, I thought about going home, convincing myself that I signed up to do something that I wasn’t capable of. I seriously thought about it, but I have stubbornness issues so it’ll have to take a lot more than just feeling uncomfortable for me to go home. On the bright side, things could only go up, and up they have gone.

I talked to a carpenter earlier last week about getting a couch, tables, shelves, and a bed frame made! Not having furniture and essentially living on the floor is incredibly humbling. I’m over exaggerating, the health center is letting me borrow one chair while I wait for furniture, but I have to move it from room to room if I want to sit! I’m absolutely looking forward to the day when I can come “home” and it feels like home. Little by little, I’m getting the things that make a home – plates, a carpet, a broom – and getting more comfortable exploring my local market where I can get fruits, vegetables, toilet paper (we all need it), and everything in between. The best part is that the mammas at the market are always so happy to see me! It honestly makes my day when my mammas ask me how I’m doing or throw in an extra mango when I buy produce from them. It’s in these small, seemingly insignificant, relationships where I find the most encouragement to continue being here.

I definitely had to put myself in uncomfortable situations, such as going to the market alone, to become more comfortable where I am. Nothing here will “just happen,” you have to make it happen. I know that sounds cliche and overused, but it’s a cliche for a reason. I truly think I’ve made it this far, even though it’s only been 14 days, because of my friends, my co-workers, and my mammas that continue to make this feel more “do-able” and less overwhelming.

Everything is getting better, it’s a Christmas miracle! I’m half joking, but my friends and I got together to celebrate the holidays and it was so nice to hear that everyone is facing similar challenges – loneliness, unfurnished homes, and feeling overwhelmed, to name a few.

Also, be sure to check out my Rose. Bud. Thorn. page for check-ins!