Thanks Yous Are Due

Before I head off into the sunset and leave my Senegalese life behind, I need to take a moment and give credit where credit is due. These thank yous are in no particular order and certainly don't cover everyone (or everything), but it's a start.

Senegal

Thank you Senegal, for welcoming me, hosting me, embracing me in your hot, smelly arms, and most of all, for challenging me in countless ways and proving that I can hack it.

The United States of America

Thank you, United States of America, for being you. My patriotism and love for you has increased to incomprehensible levels while living abroad and words cannot express how happy I am to be crossing back over the Atlantic to your open arms. Ready or not cheese aisle at Whole Foods, here I come!

The United States Postal Service

Thank you USPS for providing me with countless cards, letters, and packages that have made their way across the Atlantic to my little post office box in Pout. I'd like to marry the man who created flat rate boxes. I will never again underestimate the power of a care package.

Mom and Dad

Thank you Mom and Dad for everything you've done. You let your only child ship off to Africa and never once questioned my sanity (that I know of). I truly would not have made it the last two years without your guidance and continued support.

Peace Corps Senegal

Thank you Peace Corps Senegal for letting me join the ranks of a wonderful worldwide organization and allowing me to serve here. My service may have been rough at times, and there may be a black hole in the Peace Corps office into which all of our paperwork seems to disappear, but I've felt supported along the entire way and I'm proud to be a part of this program.

The Pirate Bay

Thank you, Pirate Bay for revealing my love for Africa's non existent copyright laws. You have provided me with hundreds of hours of entertaining torrents that have made the time here go by just a bit faster. I would not have experienced the wonder of terrible American television, Billboard's top 100, or GRE PDF files without you.

Sandra

Thank you, Sandra ice cream bar. Even though your name conjures up the image of a socially awkward middle aged woman, your low, low price and fake sugar content have provided countless moments of happiness. How did we not know about you for an entire year? I will think of you fondly as I decide amongst tubs of Ben & Jerry's in my local grocer's freezer.

This American Life

Thank you for providing me with hours upon hours of entertainment while criss crossing Senegal in sept-places. I am constantly amused and don't even feel guilty when Ira Glass tries to solicit listeners for donations because hey - I'm poor.

Skype

Thank you Skype for allowing me to communicate with loved ones back home and abroad. Being a Peace Corps volunteer has been made exponentially easier with you in my life.

My Senegalese Family

A big thank you to my Senegalese family who have given me a home away from home for two years. You have welcomed me into your lives, given me a place to live and a place to feel safe. You've fed me, done my laundry, consoled me when I was down, made me laugh, and most of all made me realize how much I will miss you once I go. You will hold a dear place in my heart for years to come.

My American Family

Thank you to my extended family back home for all the love and support sent across the Atlantic since I've been here. Your cards, letters, pictures and emails have kept given me the encouragement I needed to keep going. I've missed a lot of milestones the past two years, but I intend to make up for that by staying on American soil for a while!

Free Peanuts at Pamanda's

Thank you, Pamanda's for constantly refilling my peanut plate. You indulge me in a way nothing else can.

Catholic Compound

Thank you Catholic Compound for providing an alcoholic outlet for trainees and volunteers within walking distance from the training center. You may just be someone's backyard instead of an actual bar, but that just gives you character. I will always remember our end of training party and the many other nights I've spent enjoying your cheap beer and drunken clientele.

My Blender

Thank you, blender, for being a totally unnecessary but awesome addition to my life as a Peace Corps volunteer. It's hard not to see the bright side of things with a cold banana-mango smoothie in hand.

Mrs. Titche and Mrs. Onyshko

Thank you to me favorite fake German tourists. Your packages have brought countless moments of gastronomical joy and American happiness to our group of friends. Seriously. What would we have done without the "war chest" in Alyssa's room or the seemingly endless supply of Velveeta cheese, sausage, and boxed wine? It's just not appropriate to imagine my service without these indulgences.

Nike

Thank you Nike for giving me a pair of shoes that have somehow lasted this long. I've run hundreds of miles in and around Pout and while my shoes are finally showing some wear and tear, they've taken a beating and held up quite nicely. I will be throwing them in the garbage right before boarding a plane, but don't take it personally.

Steve

Thank you Steve for being you. Thank you for all of your letters, for listening to me ramble on about life in Senegal during our Skype dates, for hosting me in Cape Verde, and most of all for giving me something wonderful to look forward to. I'll see you on the other side of the Atlantic.

My Friends in the States

Thank you to all of my wonderful friends in the States who kept up with my story and kept me going these past two years. Receiving cards, packages, emails and updates about you has made me feel like I've remained part of your lives and reminded me how much I care about all of you. Jules, I can't thank you enough for continuing to be my dearest friend and supporting me from the very start. I can't wait to see all of you stateside!

Blog Readers

Thank you to all of the people who still read this crazy thing. Whether I know you personally or not, I truly appreciate you following along with my adventures. I hope I have been at least somewhat entertaining. Thank you for the support.

My Peace Corps Friends

Thank you to all of my fellow Senegal PCVs and volunteers I've met in other countries along the way; you are all amazing. You have enriched my experience here, and I will forever cherish the memories I've created with all of you. A special thanks to Alyssa, Katherine, and Tamar for being such important parts of my life as a volunteer. I'm positive that no words exist for how thankful I am for all of you and I honestly would not be here if it were not for you. Peace Corps has given me an inner strength I never knew I possessed, but I would have ET'd long ago if it weren't for the support from you guys. I look forward to our fabulous foursome taking America by storm and all the good times ahead.