One-Hundred-Fourteen Weeks Down, Only One Week to Go!

My first week in Samoa, I wrote a blog post titled One Week Down, Only 114 Weeks to Go, so now with just one week left in this country, the title I’ve chosen for this post seems appropriate. Although due to my COS (Close-of-Service) date, it is more like 112 weeks down, but same difference.

Regardless of 114 weeks or 112 weeks, I’ve been here for a long time. It is mind boggling, actually, to think that I have just one week left in Samoa. ONE WEEK. Not one year, or even one month. No. I have one week to make peace with the fact that I’m leaving Samoa and won’t be coming back for a very long time.

Peace Corps provides countless trainings during Staging (a two day event before the trainee arrives in their country of service), PST (Pre-Service Training) and the numerous IST (In-Service Trainings), but leaving Samoa is one thing Peace Corps trainings did not prepare me for. Sure the topic of leaving has been addressed, but regardless of how much training there is, I will never be ready.

I will say that while I was warned about how difficult two years is in a foreign, developing country, I was not prepared for how hard it would be to say goodbye and leave. It was difficult to leave home in 2012, but at the end of two years, I knew that I’d be going back home. Back to my family. Back to my friends. Back to my culture. Back to my country. And while I am aware that life isn’t the same as I left it in 2012, I’m still going back to that life. But in order to go back, I must leave this life behind. I must leave all things I’ve known for two years. I must leave Samoa behind, and that’s the one thing I am not prepared for. One thing I didn’t anticipate would be so difficult to do. So if any future or current PCVs are reading this: You have fair warning that saying goodbye to your country of service is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. This is coming from someone who’s gone through and survived two of the most challenging years of her life. Someone whose Peace Corps service hasn’t been all sunshine and beaches like her Facebook and Instagram accounts depicts. (Okay, time to switch back to first person…) In fact, on several occasions my time here was complete hell, as frequent readers of this blog may recall. And what you’ve read is the censored edition. There are many things that I’ve chosen not to write, due to personal reasons and respect for Peace Corps and the Samoan culture. But despite all that, it doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.

The next week will be filled with countless (tear-filled) goodbyes. As I wrote in my previous post: many goodbyes will be to people I’ll most likely never see again, which are the worst kinds of goodbyes. On top of that, I need to pack. Luckily I got about 80% of my packing done when I went to American Samoa to ship my suitcase home. Which is LOST, by the way! It’s beyond me how an item that large (45lbs) could get lost, but indeed it is a goner. So if you’re a religious person, please pray that it makes its way to my parent’s house. If you’re not religious, then send positive vibes my way! Most of the items in my suitcase are irreplaceable, like my journals depicting everyday from the last two years and a ring I’ve had since I was a child…

Another thing I’ll be finishing is the World Map Project. It has turned out so great! My next post will be dedicated to the map, so look out for it. And finally, my last days will be centered on Peace Corps and tying up all loose ends. It was a headache to get into Peace Corps, and it’s a headache to end Peace Corps service. I just finished the two official documents Peace Corps require which are the VRF (Volunteer Reporting Form) and the DOS (Description-of-Service). A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I feel a need to celebrate, but before I do that I must complete additional PC forms relating to my site, school, suggestions, etc., get a checkup, close my bank account, have an exit interview, and… I’m sure there are more to add to the list! It’s exhausting and I’m staying up late each night doing necessary work, but soon it will be over… in only one week!

Below you’ll find photos from GLOW (Girls Leading Our World), my group’s big farewell party, and others from the last few weeks… As always, enjoy!

Selfie with my GLOW girls and a village matai

Being the head of the Food Committee is A LOT of work

My awesome committee members

'Cause sometimes life is about being silly during serious moments!  Captains!

GLOW girls and PCV's Representing 20 rural primary schools around Upolu and Savai'i

At my group's farewell at Lusia's, located on the island of Savai'i... The last time we'll all be together in a social setting

Time to watch the digital memory book

I moved 6,000 miles away from home and met two friends who will be in my life forever

This was in my classroom!

...But I had no fear cause my student's knocked the beehive down, killed the colony... Then posed with the remains!

My school threw me a surprise farewell party, gifting me with several Samoan souvenirs, and a breakfast feast. I'm truly touched by the kindness of my school's principal, co-teachers, and students. 

A closeup of my gifts! A grand total of 31 lavalavas!

My first turkey-less Thanksgiving, so compensated with pizza and a Pina Colada at a beautiful resort... Happy Thanksgiving!

A breathtaking sunset on my village's beach. I often forget that I live on a beach. Looking at this sunset reminded me of how blessed I've been, and how sad it makes me to be leaving.

I can stare at the sea for hours, and will miss doing so.