Hi friends,
Can you believe that it’s been two years since I first was scheduled to go to Kyrgyzstan with the Peace Corps? I’ve been hesitating to write an update but it’s official: I’m on a plane to Kyrgyzstan today! To give you an idea of how uncertain I’ve felt, this is actually being written several days before, but I’m timing this to post on June 12, while in-flight. So to be honest, I certainly hope I’m on a plane today!
The days since my last post have felt both long yet eventful. Honestly, these last months of waiting have really been the hardest. A close college friend unexpectedly passed away. There were numerous hurdles to cross with the Peace Corps that could have closed my eligibility. The uncertainty and emptiness of the future was wearing on me. Yet also, as travel has opened up, I’ve gotten a chance to go spend extended time with close friends and family. I was able to attend my friend’s memorial and properly celebrate his life and reconnect with others who loved him. I continued to work on my Kyrgyz language skills and make friends with language partners in Kyrgyzstan that kept the flame alive, so to speak.
As I embark, my main thoughts about these past two years of waiting are gratefulness for all of you who have accompanied me throughout. Your community and friendship have been the difference in lighting up this uncertain, aimless period and giving it warmth, meaning, and laughter. So I’m pondering how we can stay in touch going forwards! I’ve been thinking about discontinuing this blog in its current form because there are new strictures on social media posts once I’m with the Peace Corps (of which I will learn about more fully during our Pre-Service Training in Kyrgyzstan, but I already have its broad outlines.) Perhaps I can continue to post pictures, but will refrain from long written text—haha, some of you might even prefer this. Anyways, regardless, you can always reach me at my gmail address (jjtsui@gmail.com) which is perhaps the most permanent way of finding me!
So this is good-bye for now.. but hopefully we’ll be in touch soon!
Love,
Jenny
A photo from our last good-bye dinner:)
Update: I made it here! It was worth the wait.
