The Big 2-4

With the uneventful yet enjoyable passing of my 24th birthday, I've decided to take a quick look back at the changes in perspective that come with each passing year in Peace Corps, from the blind ignorance of age 22 to the jaded cynicism of age 23, now being replaced by the contented enlightenment of age 24. Maybe.

Here's a helpful, informative chart:

(22) Tomatoes and cucumbers for lunch? How foreign and exotic!
(23) Oh good, this again. Let me guess—a side of cheese?
(24) When will tomato and cucumber season get here?! I’ve got a hankerin’.

(22) This school will be transformed by my hard work!
(23) Nothing can save this school.
(24) I’ll teach the kids who want to be taught.

(22) Khachapuri—the word just rolls off your tongue.
(23) No, I don’t like khachapuri. Stop asking.
(24) Where will I find khachapuri in New York?

(22) I’m going to get married when I’m 27 or thereabouts.
(23) I’m going to get married when I’m 60 or when someone puts a gun to my head.
(24) I’ll get married either when I’m good and ready, or when I want to go gold digging.

(22) There’s no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to cultures—just differences.
(23) Everything here is wrong.
(24) Everything everywhere is wrong.

(22) Georgia is a land of mystery and enchantment.
(23) It’s funny how things become so commonplace when you’ve been there a while.
(24) How have I still not been to Vardzia and Signaghi?

(22) It’s gonna be so cool just to rough it for two years!
(23) You know what would be good right now? Netflix.
(24) I may be fooling myself when I say that I’ll line-dry my clothes when I get back home.

(22) Those little boys are talking to me. How friendly!
(23) Those stupid street kids are swearing at me again.
(24) Those street kids are swearing. 93 more days.

Happy birthday to me…


Look! I have friends and a birthday party! It's not all made up!