That's all she wrote folks!

So I have been back in the States for a little over a month now and have gotten to spend some time with my family as well as see some friends from high school and college. I am slowly but surely starting to readjust and I decided it was about time to write my last Blog entry for this adventure.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy to be back in the States and I would also be lying if I said I didn't miss the people of El Retiro and all of my youth and kids in Ecuador. It really is a very unique situation that I decided to put myself in. I put myself into an environment, where I knew I would never truly belong, and then I forced myself to make a life there. But man have I ever gained a lot from doing that.

First things first - Readjustment. It certainly isn't easy, that is for sure. And let me be the first to tell you that they are some things that you think you might have missed, but haven't! For example:

1 - The television and technology: Half of the stuff you watch on TV you kick yourself for being silly enough to waste time watching but then you continue to watch it because it is addicting for some odd reason. And as for technology, I get that it all can be very useful...but I am just not there yet. Don't tweet me, just call me for crying out loud!

2 - All of the different foods: Sometimes not having so many options is actually a good thing...the cereal aisle really is kind of scary! And of course almost everything costs more.

3 - Warm water: As enjoyable it is for showers, I often find myself forgetting to turn the knob from hot to cold or visa-versa as I'm just used to turning the faucet on and getting what you get.

4 - Cars: Driving can be scary sometimes and I have to admit I miss being able to have some drinks and then just all hoping on a bus and getting safely home. Not to mention...traffic can be a major downer and sometimes it is just nice not to have to drive and waste the gas money!

5 - Full length mirrors and air-conditioning: Sometimes you really don't want to see yourself full figured! It is easier/better to see a small portion. And as nice as air-conditioning can be, darn do I ever get cold sitting in church or at the grocery store because they have it cranked up!

And then of course there are those things which you really have missed:

1 - Family and friends: There is nothing that can come close to having people around you who really do understand you and know you.

2 - Being clean: Don't miss the dirt and heat or the fact that I never really felt clean while in Ecuador.

3 - Washer and drying: I can't say that I miss my concrete slab and having to hand wash my clothes at least once or twice a week just so it wouldn't become too overwhelming to do all at once.

4 - Blending in: There are other tall white girls around me and I LOVE it. I really don't like having all the attention on me.

5 - Microwave popcorn: What can I say? I know what I like and I have missed having a microwave for a lot of different things.

I am sure that there is plenty more that I could add to both of the lists. But the bottom line and the point I guess I am making is that I like and dislike things about both the U.S. and Ecuador.

My trip back to Nashville went pretty well with only a few bumps along the way. I had to go through some extra steps because I brought Tito (my cat) back with me, but she is definitely worth it. Although I might not have said that when I had to take her though security with me. In case you might ever need to know, when you take a pet through airport security you have to actually take the pet out of the cage and walk through the metal detector with the pet to the other side as the cage gets sent through the x-ray machine. Tito was not to fond of that and ended up hissing at a security guard as she clawed me up a little. However, I held on tight and made sure we got her back into that cage ASAP.

Otherwise I have just been here in Nashville living with my parents which is helping a lot. And thankfully my mom, who is allergic to cats, is not having any problems with having Tito in the house (Tito is living in my bathroom and bedroom). We are all very happy about that to say the least as I love them both very much :)

I am not sure that I can really articulate what this experience has meant to me. But I can definitely say that without a doubt it has helped shape who I am. It is almost like you do a detox for two years from everything in your life; your friends, your family, your culture, you language...everything. Once you take all of the distractions out of your life, you are left with just yourself. Sometimes that can be a good thing and other times it can be a very hard thing.

Over these past two years I have learned about another culture which has in turn helped me learn more about myself in ways I never thought were possible. El Retiro will always be "mi pueblo" in Ecuador and a part of my heart will always be with those kids and youth. This experience has pushed me both mentally and physically to points which I never thought I would reach. However, sometimes you have to reach those limits to truly know and understand who you are.

Peace Corps is not an easy thing to do at all. But if you are able to stick it out, what you learn from it truly is priceless and it is something that you will take with you for the rest of your life; at least I know I will.