The list of things that I miss is extensive. My friends, family... the mountains. Coffee shops and book stores. Frozen swiss cake rolls. Illegal Pete's times a million. Odell IPA's... walking barefoot. Grass. A good hygiene routine. Caramel deLites and real Thin Mints. Privacy. Against all odds, snow. My ladies Clee & Misty Mae! Mac n cheese pizza at 2am. Concerts. Hole in the wall brunch places.
But... I have started a list of "happys" for days that don't feel so happy.
Paint Mixing Videos: I swear the only reason I'm still sane is because of this artist and her videos that magically quiet my mind and calm my soul. They always manage to make me feel at peace.
Check some out here: ameliaa.art
Chef: I am 90% convinced I want to own a restaurant and be a chef for the rest of my life. Everyone should watch this movie. Shout out to the SFS Panama crew for bringing this staple into my life. It always makes me feel better and simultaneously miss Halloween and my bff Ron's magical grilled cheeses.
Cheese: We don't get paid a ton... but I always make room in the budget for regular cheese spending. I'm a master at eating my feelings and my go to is cheese - of any kind.
Nivelda (aka Ni): My two year old neighbor who loves to tell me "ta ta!" in the middle of visits... she has recently learned to say "bye!" so at least there's some learning happening when she kicks me out. She loves to smile, tries to steal my tattoos, eats my bolos, and never returns my books in one piece. Happy sassy girls full of life and personality are what make the world go round.
Aida: My best friend in Manje is a fourteen year old girl. At the beginning of last year we strongly disliked each other. She talked over me in class every. single. day. And she thought I was mean. Turns out we are essentially the same person. I've currently got her hooked on the Harry Potter movies. One more time for the people in the back, happy sassy girls full of life and personality are what make the world go round.
Frozen Cokes: Sweet cold treats are the best way to beat the Tete heat and malnutrition.
Spotify: I thank Peace Corps for introducing this magic into my life every damn day! Should you want to check out my service playlists links are here!
"Manje": Year 1 Tunes
"12": December 2017 + Kili Tunes
"itsalldownhill": 9 Months Left Tunes
Luma (real name: Plumeria): The latest addition to my home improvements... a three month old puppy. Some days I want to strangle her (like when she eats holes in the few shirts I have left) but most days I'm so glad for the company and constant flow of love from such a tiny little creature!
Guemo (Manje's chicken place): Some days I do not want to cook... most days I don't want to. But some days I treat myself and eat out at Guemo's, a restaurant across the street from my house... they have the best fried chicken and batatas!
Friend Trips: As lucky as I am to live and work in Mozambique for two years - I feel even luckier to have an opportunity to travel around surrounding countries and to visit many parts of Mozambique as well. I've already taken some amazing trips with other PCV's who have quickly become my family and biggest support system in the past year and a half. Getting to be my complete self with friends is something I am always thankful for.
Lightning Bugs, Stars, Tea, Marlon Williams: How I like to spend my evenings on the back stoop just before bed.
Self care is a huge part of Peace Corps service. It often feels selfish... but it is so necessary! I've found that what I do to nurture my spirit here in Mozambique looks drastically different than it does in the states because it has to. But somehow we all find a way to make it work for us. These are the things that stand out to me as ways that I "treat myself" - not quite the sushi and bookstore splurge I'm used to. Over the past eighteen months I've found that there's nothing little about the little things.
But... I have started a list of "happys" for days that don't feel so happy.
Paint Mixing Videos: I swear the only reason I'm still sane is because of this artist and her videos that magically quiet my mind and calm my soul. They always manage to make me feel at peace.
Check some out here: ameliaa.art
Chef: I am 90% convinced I want to own a restaurant and be a chef for the rest of my life. Everyone should watch this movie. Shout out to the SFS Panama crew for bringing this staple into my life. It always makes me feel better and simultaneously miss Halloween and my bff Ron's magical grilled cheeses.
Cheese: We don't get paid a ton... but I always make room in the budget for regular cheese spending. I'm a master at eating my feelings and my go to is cheese - of any kind.
Nivelda (aka Ni): My two year old neighbor who loves to tell me "ta ta!" in the middle of visits... she has recently learned to say "bye!" so at least there's some learning happening when she kicks me out. She loves to smile, tries to steal my tattoos, eats my bolos, and never returns my books in one piece. Happy sassy girls full of life and personality are what make the world go round.
Aida: My best friend in Manje is a fourteen year old girl. At the beginning of last year we strongly disliked each other. She talked over me in class every. single. day. And she thought I was mean. Turns out we are essentially the same person. I've currently got her hooked on the Harry Potter movies. One more time for the people in the back, happy sassy girls full of life and personality are what make the world go round.
Frozen Cokes: Sweet cold treats are the best way to beat the Tete heat and malnutrition.
Spotify: I thank Peace Corps for introducing this magic into my life every damn day! Should you want to check out my service playlists links are here!
"Manje": Year 1 Tunes
"12": December 2017 + Kili Tunes
"itsalldownhill": 9 Months Left Tunes
Luma (real name: Plumeria): The latest addition to my home improvements... a three month old puppy. Some days I want to strangle her (like when she eats holes in the few shirts I have left) but most days I'm so glad for the company and constant flow of love from such a tiny little creature!
Guemo (Manje's chicken place): Some days I do not want to cook... most days I don't want to. But some days I treat myself and eat out at Guemo's, a restaurant across the street from my house... they have the best fried chicken and batatas!
Friend Trips: As lucky as I am to live and work in Mozambique for two years - I feel even luckier to have an opportunity to travel around surrounding countries and to visit many parts of Mozambique as well. I've already taken some amazing trips with other PCV's who have quickly become my family and biggest support system in the past year and a half. Getting to be my complete self with friends is something I am always thankful for.
Lightning Bugs, Stars, Tea, Marlon Williams: How I like to spend my evenings on the back stoop just before bed.
Self care is a huge part of Peace Corps service. It often feels selfish... but it is so necessary! I've found that what I do to nurture my spirit here in Mozambique looks drastically different than it does in the states because it has to. But somehow we all find a way to make it work for us. These are the things that stand out to me as ways that I "treat myself" - not quite the sushi and bookstore splurge I'm used to. Over the past eighteen months I've found that there's nothing little about the little things.
So happy to see that you are blogging- makes us feel more connected. Miss you!!! XOXO
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