Closing of Service?

Well I’ve made it folks. Made it to my COS or Closing of Service conference, for those not familiar with Peace Corps lingo. The COS conference marks the end of your service, the last time you will see everyone in one place, and the first time to really start thinking about the future…

I thought I had everything figured out before I got there, but now I would say I’m more confused than ever…

Being a Peace Corps volunteer is probably one of the strangest jobs that can exist. The fact that your everyday emotions go from very high to very low, the fact that you are plopped in a community that you know nothing about and that they know nothing about you, and after all is said and done, go back to your “home” with a mixture of excitement/fear/confusion. 

I have finally decided my official last day of Peace Corps and it is November 21, 2010. That is exactly two years from when I swore in as a Peace Corps volunteer. We have the option of COSing up to a month beforehand, but I learned of a small clause regarding my schools loans that if I want them to be canceled, I have to serve a full 2 years. Bah. But I guess, it doesn’t bug me too much, as it will give me more time to finish up things in my community, say goodbye to people, and hopefully relax a bit more. 

So as I am staring at my blank calendar for the months ahead, I just know time is going to fly and whether that is a good thing or not, I haven’t quite figured that out.