Hey everyone!

Hope things are going well in the states! Today is my last day of Peace Corps! I am offically an RPCV, which means returned peace corps volunteer. I survived the two hardest years of my life. The hardest being leaving my host family. Leaving the community, though a bit stressful, was fine. Throw a few parties, lunches, buy some bottle openers with my face on it, no problem! Debate whether I should take the Hello Kitty stuffed animal or the huge pisco holder made out of clay back to the states, or just leave them with my host family. All that is relatively easy compared to saying goodbye to my host family.

I would say, that the last week in site was the worst week of my life. I had to plan parties, lunches, finish building my 8 bathrooms, pack my life for 2 years into one suitcase and one backpack, and leave my host family. Any time we spent time together, there was this overwhelming power that clouded all happiness. We didnt even enjoy that last week together because we were all so sad that I was leaving. On the day I left, pretty much everyone cried. My host dad, worst of all. He was sobbing so hard, he couldnt even talk. My host mom, who is a rock, and one of the strongest women I know, teared up and cried a little, while she told me that she didnt want to cry, because she wanted to be happy for me since I am going on to do great and wonderful things. My host brothers told me that they always wanted a sister like me, since they live in a house of just boys, and teared up as well. I was very emotionally and mentally draining. I will always miss them, and hopefully always communicate with them, even in the states. My host brothers have already texted me through facebook!

Saying goodbye to the thunderdome!! (We call Ica the thunderdome, which is referenced from the movie MadMax and the desert they live in) The picture posted are the main players of the thunderdome, and some of my best friends in the world. I will always remmeber them, and call them once I am finally in the states. We have had so many great times in Ica, on the beach, in the jungle, and in the mountains. Thanks for making my service great!