Back home for a while

I left my site on December 11. After spending a week in Panama City hanging with friends and training for events and camps that await me when I return, I set off for the USA.

My first stop was Orlando, where I met my dad and brother to spend a few days in the theme parks, making a perfect transition from the simple lifestyle I lead in Panama to good old American excess.

Taken at Epcot. I really, really wanted a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar.

On December 23 my dad, my brother, and I flew back to Michigan, where I promptly got a big hug and kiss from my mom. She welcomed me back with some of my favorite things: dinner from Antonio's, one of my favorite restaurants, and marinated cheese, my favorite appetizer. Food has been a common theme throughout the entire holiday. My family seems to have made it their mission to fatten me up before I go back.

Mama was really happy to see me.

One of the important stops was visiting my 91 year-old grandma, who lost her oldest daughter and my aunt to cancer 3 months ago. It was great to spend time with her. And in return, she showered me with love, cooked me delicious Mexican food, and gave me another blessing for the upcoming year away.

During one of our outings we went to E&L Supermercado in Mexicantown, a place we frequent for all our ethnic food needs. That place makes my heart and stomach sing.

I think the Panamanians will get a huge laugh out of this. Mangoes at E&L were over a dollar each. Around May in my site, mangoes will be everywhere. Literally too many mangoes. So they'll have a hard time wrapping their head around having to pay for one.

Whether it's homemade at Grandma's house or fresh from a Mexicantown market or roadside stand, I will certainly miss authentic Mexican food.

They just don't do tamales the way I like 'em in the isthmus.

I had a whirlwind tour, visiting as many friends and loved ones as I could while I was home. Time goes by so quickly. I didn't even get to see everyone on my list.

Annual Christmas party with some high school friends. Seven years (right?) and counting. And now we're all grown up. When did that happen?

So glad I got a white Christmas. Now please get me out of this below freezing weather.

Got to visit Ann Arbor and a few friends from college. Too bad it was kind of a ghost town. Everyone else was home.

In addition to friends and family, I certainly got my fill of American cinema, and in the Holiday/Oscar season, it was perfect timing. I saw some fantastic movies: Django Unchained, Life of Pi, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook, Argo, and The Hobbit. I don't want this to become a post critiquing every last one, so suffice it to say I enjoyed them. I miss going to the movies and will have to make more of an effort this upcoming year to go see the ones on my list. Dark Knight Rises was the only one I managed to see in Panama, and that can't happen next year. I mean, hello? Star Trek? Man of Steel? The Great Gatsby? Monsters University? Can't wait.

My pride in Downtown Farmington has increased tenfold since I left. I went to see a movie at the Civic, a theater I rarely took advantage of when I was around.

Future plans and "Wow, time goes by so fast" are some other common themes of this break. I got home and received congratulations for having survived a year of service, away from home, all while struggling with uneasy thoughts of hopelessness and lack of fulfillment. Those thoughts are still present, but this year has given me a new attitude. A better way of approaching the issues volunteers all face. I think I'm ready to get back to work. And keep doing my best.