CIB (Cait in Botswana)

April 20th marked my one year anniversary in Botswana.  How time does fly!  While there are some days that go by agonizingly slow ? overall thisyear has blown by.  This week it will be May! Half of 2009 is almost out the door!  Where is it all going?

Aside from inability to figure out where time is exactly going my year in Botswana has been marked with incredible highs, serious lows, and a lot of time in thehigher end of the middle.  I have met numerous people who have influenced my life, become closer to people from backhome and learned a million things about myself. 

The new volunteers arrived last week Monday.  I was there to greet them asthey stepped off the bus from Johannesburg, travel weary and anxious about whatwas to come.  Oh how I remember that moment!  A small group ofcurrent volunteers spent 4 days with the newbies answering questions, talkinglogistics, and providing comforting words where we could.  I was sothankful not be at that stage again!  It was also funny because I don't think I have ever talked about myself and my experience so much!  Interesting to be on the "senior" level of volunteers now. 

My mom mentioned that it might be time to start doing a countdown of time left versus the count up of my time here. I don't know that I am quite at that point yet.  I am still quite unsure ofwhat awaits me when my Peace Corps service is done but I'm sure it will work itself out.  Life tends to do that. 

In the village world life has been busy with the Mosadi Mogolo (Old Woman?s)Football Tournament and getting the Teen Club off the ground.  I think Mosadi Mogolo will be my last "big" event for awhile ? they are truly exhausting and I feel like I am putting in alot more work than those who want to do the events originally and that's just not how it's supposed to go.  The realityis that sometimes that is the way it goes but for now its time for me to takea step back and focus on projects that members of my community are truly committedto and that I think might have a bigger impact - even if they aren't bigevents.

So, I guess no super deep reflections a year in -  but I can say that I am happy and blessed to be where I am.  I learn somuch everyday and for that I am very lucky.

A special thank you to all of you who read my blog, send the occasional commentor email, etc.  I appreciate you keepingup.  Without the support of you guys I doubt I could do this.

Love to all.