Happy 2026! I’m very excited and hopeful for this year. I was able to go home for Christmas and New Years. It was really nice to see family and recharge my battery.
Since returning to Panamá, I have been going on small adventures. I visited a beautiful mountain town in Valle de Antón where I ran my first trail half marathon. It was a fun and long day outside. I also climbed the highest mountain in Panamá, Volcan Barú which is an inactive volcano.
January was a long month for me. I was in Colorado and then coming back to summer vacation in Panama there wasn’t a lot of movement. I taught some English courses but not many kids showed up. The ones that did were very active and enjoyed learning which I appreciated.
Now that it’s February, I have plans to put a library in the infoplaza next week and celebrate Carnival in the infamous Las Tablas. We’re going to the town that goes all out for Carnival. I didn’t go last year so I want to experience this cultural event.
Being home made me realize how ready I am to find a full-time job after my time in Panamá. I remember my last year in college and being afraid of commuting to a job and wanting to join the Peace Corps to learn a new culture in language. I’m very grateful for this experience. I’m proud of how I have grown and changed here. One of the hardest challenges for me has been very little structure here. I’m looking forward to having more structure to my days and a sense of purpose.
Today, for example, was a really long and hard day. I woke up, washed my clothes, helped my host mom peel peppers for two hours and then waited until 3pm for a church celebration. I struggle a lot with days like today that are unstructured, no plans, and little motivation.
On the flip side, I have applied to a Peace Corps grant which was fully funded. During the summer time, I’ve bought materials and organized the construction for a recycling project in the local school. I’m learning to budget here and negotiate which I really don’t enjoy but know it’s necessary to advocate for myself and the project. Now that I have most of the materials, I’m pivoting my focus on the education part. I worry a lot about getting buy-in from teachers and school staff. I will have to be very patient and consistent with educating the proper way to sort cardboard, plastic #1, white paper, and aluminum cans. I’m excited but also nervous. It’ll keep me busy into my last months here which I’ll enjoy.
As far as leaving, I feel ready. I know I need to follow through with my recycling project but I’m already feeling ready to leave and transition back to the US. It’s been a long time, almost two years. I miss my family and friends. I miss luxuries such as warm showers, driving, and bagels. I miss being able to hike and move my body freely. I know I have a ways to go and a big mountain to climb, but I’m also trying to enjoy the fruits of my labor here before I leave.