In honor of my third and final birthday down here in Paraguay, I've taken a moment to recap and reflect a bit....
When I was 21 I got this crazy idea that I would submit my application to serve in the United States Peace Corps, so I submitted my application the night before a biochem final and hoped for the best.
When I was 22 I was invited to serve in Paraguay. I graduated college at the University of Washington. I studied my face off after graduation and took the MCAT. Without knowing my score, I packed my bags for Paraguay. I said goodbye to the only life I’ve ever known in my home state of Washington, including all of my friends and my family, got on a plane and headed down to South America with 100 pounds of luggage.
I turned 23 in Paraguay amongst strangers who instantly became my new friends and family. I moved to a new community by myself which would become my home for the following two years. My mom passed away, leaving me with the biggest hole in my heart. I cried (a lot) but I also laughed, sang, danced, learned and grew into this crazy resilient human who learned to survive on my own. I found a puppy, raised her and loved her a ridiculous amount. I became a dog-mom, I became a yoga instructor, I became a 5th grade science teacher, I became a zumba master, I became a banana-bread-baking expert.
I turned 24 in Paraguay next to my sister, Krista who made a stop in Paraguay during her year long trip around the world. I started my application to medical school. I worked in four different schools around my community. I taught classes on nutrition, environmental responsibility, leadership, sex-ed, trash management, non-communicable diseases, self-esteem, and physical education. I brought my dog to the U.S., I interviewed at two medical schools and I got accepted to medical school.
I turned 25 in Paraguay alongside some of the strongest, most caring and courageous Peace Corps Volunteers. I’m going to be saying goodbye to this crazy life in Paraguay, traveling around South America, and then starting medical school at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. I am grateful for everything that Paraguay has given me, the good and the bad, and for how its shaped me into this unique and crazy human that I am today. Cheers to 25, cheers to my third and final birthday in Paraguay, and cheers to everyone that I’ve not only celebrated birthdays with, but that I’ve spent passing days with down here.