Growth

Jokes aside, there are a few good things that I learned in Uganda, which frame new commitments in life. I hope that these changes for the positive will not be reversed when I hit home.

1. Natural lifestyle. I can make bread and cakes from flour and sugar, cheese from a cow, and guacamole of about 3 varieties. When I went home for David's wedding, I could taste the fake and the corn syrup in frozen pizza and a dairy queen blizzard. When I tried eating a cinnamon bun, the sweetness made me sick. It may require more creativity and time, but I want to stay as natural as possible.
2. Environmental sustainability. Living so close to the Earth and depending on nature for everything. Like, hmmmm, should I wash my clothes? It hasn't rained, so there is no water-- or it's raining now so they won't dry. Or, the school closed early because the crops dried up and there wasn't enough food. These are everyday occurrences. I want to maintain a commitment to sustainable decision making when I get home-- especially with water and fuel (after my first long shower to wash off the grime and riding a plane home, that is). I don't need to live in a big place and I hope to take public transport and have a natural foods option. Furthermore, I love what Mayor Nutter is doing with green surfaces in Philly and what new LEED housing ideas are doing. Who knows, by the time I need a car, I might drive hydrogen- powered.
3. Deeper spiritual connections. I have been introduced to a whole new world of spirituality with Catholicism. Nouwen, Merton, St. Francis-- solitude and deeper prayer. The nuns are so hard working and happy and kind because time in prayer is their mainstay. Poverty, celibacy, and obedience-- basically denial of all that humanity craves. What do they gain? A lot of joy, for one thing, and more care for other people.
4. Human color and diversity. The Peace Corps is so diverse and colorful, it adds a great mosaic backdrop to my life. I want to continue being a part of an interesting community of people at home, whether in a city neighborhood or a small town.
5. Not worry about being “late” for something in life. I met a priest who started first grade at 17 and was ordained in his late thirties. Several people, due to family delays, etc., don't do things at the exactly correct time here. But who cares? You can't let past problems ruin you because you're afraid of a bit of delay. Besides, life is about the journey, so enjoy the scenic route!
6. Realize that every post is equal, but you have to make it your own. Some peace corps volunteers work in high powered offices and have apartments in town with running water. Ok, not in Uganda, but I'm sure it happens somewhere. Others are deep in the village, making stoves out of cow dung and baking their own bread or living on cassava flour. In the end, both are valuable and meaningful. I am returning home with an idea of a post- bac then med. School, so I have a plan. But if there are some kinks in the road, I can still have meaning in life. Plan B is bee- keeping and surrogate motherhood and Plan C. is returning to Uganda and becoming a wedding singer. So- no worries, right?
7. Commitment to the team. I did not expect other volunteers to be so wonderful, but they have been a big part of why Peace Corps is great. Sharing beer and goat's meat, jamming to local tunes, or climbing in the hills, time with my fellow peace corps volunteers, no matter how different we are from each other, has been extraordinary. When I return, I want to keep up with friends and continue in the spirit of camaraderie with my new team mates—ok, minus the goat meat.