There are only six months left in my service, and it has already gotten into my head! Knowing the end is coming is causing me to think about the end game: What do I want to leave here? What work must get done? What’s my legacy? When thinking about that isn’t enough, I’ve started day-dreaming about my COS (“Completion of Service”) trip, and in tough moments, imagining beautiful Morocco is what gets me through.

But, being in one’s head is NOT a good way to enjoy your Peace Corps experience, and the hardest bit of everything has been to push these thoughts away and to focus on what’s happening today. I’m trying to stay “present,” focusing on my current work, day-to-day, and enjoying what is in front of me. I know there are good things to come, but to enjoy this completely, I need to work on making sure there are good things everyday.

Until I reach this in-the-moment nirvana, this song will get me through:

The Mountain Goats, “This Year”

Fair Warning: I’ll remind you all closer to the date, but the last day for care packages will be sometime in June, as we don’t want you put all that work into a package for it to arrive after I’ve left! So, use these last 4/5 months to get in all those last minute care packages Also, simple letters are welcome, they bring me so much joy!