Hello, My Faithful Readers

January 1^st, 2017

Volume 1, Number 1

 It has been almost six months since I’ve written and believe it or not (HA) – it is only because I have NO IDEA what to call my blog (post-Peace Corps). I know it is a crazy reason not to put pen to paper (or key strokes to the screen); but, there it is. I am so “Thankful” for the many readers who have encouraged me to continue writing. I’m told (by a very wise source) that the title of the new blog will arise once I start writing. And so, here we go!

http://www.bookemon.com/flipread/669575

This link will take you to my previous blog written during my service in the Peace Corps (2014-2016) in the Republic of Georgia. My wonderful son had this published for me as a Christmas present...:-)

I have so many experiences to share with you; as I have been keeping notes along the road while living in Tbilisi. The transition from being a Peace Corps Volunteer back to real life (or life as “real” as it gets living in a foreign country). Life has been up and down just like it would be if I lived in the USA – but, more challenging as well as more expansive as to how I make sense of my time here in the world.

However, I would like to begin this blog at the end of 2016, December - instead of when I left the Peace Corps in June 2016. I will fill in the gaps as the blog goes forward; but, I think my biggest “shift” has happened during my time back here in the States.  I returned to the United States in Mid-November, 2016 to visit with my family after almost being away for three years. I plan to stay until Mid-January, 2017. During this time lots needed to happen; for example, dentist, doctors, taking care of all kinds of business and ordering stuff that I don’t have to pay shipping charges back to Tbilisi. I’ve had so many visits with friends and of course holiday meals with family during this time. It has been wonderful to visit and get to talk and catch up as seriously, I don’t know when I am going to get to see anyone as time goes forward (but, that is another saga soon to be written about).

I was told there would be a “culture shock” as I returned to the USA and in some respects that was true. I’ll explain in a moment; but, honestly, not much has really changed here at home. There are some new buildings and some construction that was not happening when I was here last; but, I didn’t find the landscape much different. One of the shocks that really shook me was the availability of water and washing facilities. During my time in-service, as you know, showers were far, few and in-between; however, I noticed how folks (no mention of names – they know who they are ) - J, showered at least once  a day if not more. I know this is the norm here; however, it seems so foreign to me and wasteful. Also another shocker was how many pharmaceutical commercials there are on television! I was floored to watch advertisement after advertisement of so many drugs and what they cured, as well as their side effects. I, along with another special person in my life, heard about “clinical depression” so often we started to make a joke out of it. When did this happen?

I don’t watch television in Georgia (really didn’t watch television when I lived in the USA); so, this also been an eye opener for me being exposed in such quantity to this medium. I can more clearly see how much of the news has become entertainment and just don’t know what to do with my thoughts (I am at a loss for words).

Thomas Wolfe saying about “Never being able to go home again” and I think I have experienced some of this also. I was apprehensive about returning (after being away for almost 3-years); but, I didn’t anticipate on any level of feeling this. I can see clearly that I cannot return to my previous way of life. This is a good thing and yet it is also sad.

 I can see also that so many of the things that I craved were not as good in reality as they were in fantasy during my time abroad.  Let me give you an example: Egg rolls in Georgia are as thin as a cigarette and are so boiled in oil I hardly know what I am eating. Egg rolls at my home USA city were ok; but, I can honestly put to rest ever craving one again. I could give you a laundry list of items that I have been missing that have disappointed me in “reality” here– but, the one thing that did not disappoint was the “Butter Cake” from a local diner. OMG, I could have eaten the entire cake. This, My Faithful Readers, I will miss. I may have to fly back in secret and get one; or maybe, I could order one and have it sent…not likely, but this cake will be missed.

In my life food has been very important; however, in Georgia, not so much. I can count on my hands how many meals in Georgia I’ve looked forward to. However, being home here in the States is the exact reverse. There really has not been a meal in the past 6-weeks that I’ve not looked forward to. I’ve gained weight; but, I have no doubt that when I return to Georgia I will be able to NOT use food to help me navigate daily living.

I fly back home to Tbilisi on January 15^th so I have a couple more weeks here in the States. I have grown so much being here and look forward to what will happen as I finish up here. I leave the USA heavy in calories; however, much of my emotional baggage has been eased or completed. I’ve been cleaning out my apartment as when I left for the Peace Corps I really thought I would return to the States to live. I didn’t anticipate relocating to Eastern Europe. So, as a result I left many things in limbo; for example, clothes, books, papers, memorabilia and things that I will probably never use again. I thought “why am I keeping this stuff?” And better yet "Why did I buy these things?" I think a lot of the purchases were to fill something that was missing or to fill time; which is not the case any longer. If I’ve not used it during my time away; am I ever going to need it?  

And so I have been purging and it feels so good.  In Tbilisi I live a minimal and un-complicated life where “”stuff” is concerned. It is interesting that in the Peace Corps we called don’t call it stuff; it is called “Crap”. No dis-respect intended; but, all this stuff ends up in the trash at some point. I know I don’t want to buy anything; as really the only thing I want to use my money for is travel. 

I live by  the adage"Buy Experience, not Things."

I think this is a good start for the New Year and my re-entry into resurrecting my blog.  Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to begin writing again; it does feel good.

To be continued…….

Catherine Lawrence – January 1, 2017