My host sisters and I. We read, ate, and then amused ourselves with hair ties on my head.
Earlier in the day, I took Maximus out for a walk and stumbled on a beautiful field with a babbling brook. The mountains in the distance and the ominous clouds hanging above us were just incandescent
I took a nice long walk from the Kilikia Bus Station to the Peace Corps office. I haven't done this before...and it was exhilarating. I'm keeping up with my motto and getting out of my comfort zone everyday!
Arpi is the most adorable. Children are so impressionable. I can't wait to see what my kids turn out to be like.
Meet the Coaf Girls. We decided to have a pizza party and we had a blast. We're practicing to be empowered women!
I've started to bake and cook again. I love sharing this experience with my host family. And it also gives me the warm and fuzzy feelings inside whenever I cook.
Please meet the Tuesday crew for English Club. Our lesson for the day was combining numbers and body parts= a lesson drawing monsters with 3 heads, 6 arms, 4 legs, and 2 bodies
Spring is finally here, and I think I'm in love.
I've been in Armenia close to 11 months now. I've learned a great deal and I want to share a few of these epiphanies with you.
- I've learned to appreciate my family back in the states so much more now, not that I was ungrateful before or anything. They have always been there for me in a way...emphasizing the importance of education and imparting values on me that make it easy for me to travel to and to get along with the local people. Living in Armenia without many of the luxuries of the western world, I find that I'm blessed with the opportunity to take a glimpse at the world my parents are from. As many of you know, my parents lived though the Vietnam War (one of my dreams is to write a screenplay of our family's compelling story one day). The hardships they've had to endured were always told in the form of stories, but now in a way it's tangible. I find this invaluable. We've all had our low points, but I am happy and excited for the bright future ahead of us. I hope I make them proud and that I can take care of them one day.
- I've learned to comfort myself. Often times back at home, I would seek comfort from the outside world. I would distract myself with so many things that I would fail to look at myself to understand why I was so restless and unfulfilled. The long walks I go on now are addictive and this is where I do most of my reflections. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Soon my service will be over and I hope that more of the personal growth I've experienced will continue it's organic path. I hope to come back to the United States refreshed, more compassionate, confident, accepting, and ready for the next chapter in life.
- I learned to admire Armenian women and their tenacious character. I honestly don't know how they are incredibly strong and resilient. I just hope they find happiness everyday.
- I've learned to embrace the pain of heartbreak and to let go. For so long, I would fixate on the relationship, wanting to fix what was broken...but alas, it's not a one woman job. It takes two to get the job done. I've learned a great deal about myself during and after this experience. I have a better idea of what I want and what I should keep an eye out for. I am optimistic, however, that things will pan out the way they always do...there's no use in controlling forces and events out of my reach. I'm going to give it my all to just enjoy the moment in front of me.
- I'm learning that the best relationships and friends are those that despite of the change we still love each other and put forth the energy to keep in touch. I'm eternally grateful for Armenia's IT infrastructure to allow me to keep in touch with friends near and far.
- I've learned that there's always room to squeeze another person onto the marshutni.
- I've learned to be more comfortable in my own skin. I'm starting to understand my self worth and to love myself.
- I'm practicing to tone my consciousness. It's ridiculously hard, but I'm learning to be aware of my awareness and it's exciting.
I'll try to be better to document my thoughts and stories.
Love you to the moon and back,
Phi
