Well, I’m back home in the USA. More than two years after
going to Philadelphia, and signing the form that solidified my two-year commitment
in Peace Corps, I am back in New Jersey. It’s a little weird being back. I’m
still applying for teaching jobs, and I guess we’ll see what comes out of that.
I’m split over everything. On one hand, I’m happy to be home, to see my family
and friends. On the other hand, I miss my life in Keda, too. Sure, I was pretty
bored sometimes, but to be honest, I felt like every day was a mini-adventure.
The biggest adventure I had today was driving to the Verizon store to decide on
a new phone plan.
I keep being asked by well-intentioned, but completely
oblivious people, “Well, what was it like over there?” I actually find myself not
even saying much of anything unless there is a topic that reminds me of Georgia.
But asking me “What’s it like?” Ehh… Do you have five-hours to explain to you
the hours I spent in a sleeping bag to stay warm in winter? How about trying to
teach English in a local public school? No, I didn’t learn Russian. Yes,
Georgian is an actual language.
I can blame anyone. Just because I left for two years doesn’t
mean everyone else was just sitting around waiting for me to return. People
went out into the world, got jobs, got engaged/married, had kids, and had more
kids. A group of us in Peace Corps would count down our service by calculating
gestation periods. A somewhat strange, but nonetheless unique way of counting
down 27-months. But, to most people if I said that in a conversation, I’d get a
stare and a head turn like, “What are you talking about?” That’s the main issue;
people just don’t understand.
I ran into an old friend’s father around town today and luckily
he wouldn’t stop talking about his son. I was seriously wanting to say, “Alright,
cool, got a job doing *****. I’ve been living in GEORGIA and you won’t even
give me 5-minutes to talk about my job.” To most people when I say that I
taught English I feel like they lump me into some group of 2nd rate
volunteers. As if I wasn’t really doing any work. Nope, I was just teaching.
Again, all of us Volunteers knew this was a common occurrence, and I was ready
for it.
No big deal. I just wish I could talk about poop with more
people than my 6-year old niece and 2-year old nephew.
