Word a Day, 2009 - 2011

From January 6, 2009 to March 26, 2011, I did my best to write a word to sum up my experiences of each day in Guatemala. Sometimes, my emotions were easy to define and other times, they were so standard that I would have reused the same word over and over. Peace Corps is a constant flux of emotions from day to day and moment to moment; one minute I'm more frustrated than ever and the next is the best of my life.

In the end, I know myself better - my strengths, my weaknesses and my goals. Peace Corps has been one of my most formative experiences and without the good and the bad the ending would have been different.

Words to describe my days as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala:

anticipation – comprehension – comfortable – exciting – grinding – exhausting – crazy – ridiculous – frustrating – happy – irregular – annoyed – variable – hilarious – joyful – adventurous – nervous – satisfied – rested – thankful – terrified – sick – energized – marginalized – organized – funny – anticipating – exhausted – unwelcome – communication – leisure – limitations – reunited – stuck – sad – reflective – refreshed – stimulated – prospects – up-beat – lethargic – nauseated – rollercoaster – patience – surprised – determined – intense – worn-out – loved – slow – ripped-off – successful – excited – reconnecting – re-enchanted – breadth – luxury – travel – celebratory – complimentary – sick – worn-out – normalcy – organized – communicative – nightmare – upset – field trip – solidarity – exhilarating – broken – enduring – compromising – waste – re-prioritizing – defeat – accomplished – intimidating – tired – content – relaxed – validated – annoyed – pensive – studious – careless – favorite – prolonged – lugubrious – spectacle – busy – fever – diarrhea – touchy – re-evaluating – sorting – sympathy – shock – instable – effort – blast – rough – scattered – cooperative – wet – visualizations – trying – hopeful – tasks – expensive – overwhelmed – reconnect – catch-up – fluency – conscious – isolated – frivolous – illogical – disciplining – awe – reunited – consequences – worthwhile – satisfied – whirlwind – eloquent – sleepy – integrating – punchy – stares – effort – faith – focused – generosity – argument – lonely – lethargic – reunited – quality-time – habits – values – understanding – pulled – constricted – typical – liberated – bittersweet – joyful – genuine – refreshing – pithy – respect – infected – limits – meaningful – community – exhausted – distraught – exerting – content – confined – daunting – relief – hope – driven – improvising – defeated – angry – improved – pleased – forced – misunderstood – order – awkward – dazed – freezing – haggard – fed-up – jovial – clean – apprehensive – hot – dragging – laughter – ecstatic – smooth – highlight – efficient – shocked – memorial – aches – hostile – freebies – irritated – surprises – lazy – outgoing – petty – fallout – exertion – surmounted – renewed – robbed – fulfilled – criticized – cozy – rushed – ambiguity – trials – delighted – experiences – available – wild – perplexed – sly – sociable – reclusive – intentional – ordinary – comical – special – recovered – balanced – chatting – adapting – perspectives – parallel – controlled – confident – cumbersome – assessing – melancholy – overjoyed – aggravated – habit – persuasive – friendly – positive – pushed – competitive – bonding – still – justifying – dazed – experienced – unusual – poor – laboring – upbeat – dumbfounded – binge – downtrodden – sluggish – nostalgic – incorrigible – scorching – jam-packed – examination – relaxed – viscous – joking – crash – normalcy – washing – trapped –frantic – hopeless – grieving – gone – grounded – luck – pulled – reflective – strategy – purpose – bureaucratic – intelligent – known – stride – worn – draining – lifeless – authority – scattered – ethics – progression – careless – inspired – complaint – comfortable – flexibility – worthwhile – killed – ignorance – unsettled – counseled – weak – educational – risk – sour – pleased – regressing – hugs – catch-up – blessed – feat – funny – standfast – torrential-downpour – drying – simple – used – overwhelmed – inarticulate – nebulous – restoration – deadlines – disenchanted – rapid – chill – debriefing – corrupt – balancing – excluded – wet – efficient – rude – vigor – adventure – salty – moving – articulate – defeated – passive-aggressive – ignored – sought – agenda – purposeless – bitches – order – reacquainting – serendipity – meaningful – social – disdain – cover-up – emotional – breather – apathetic – adventure – zombie – expressionless – mindless – solutions – daring – repair – soul-searching – redefining – resourceful – bonus – bifurcated – community – culture – traps – pain – minutes – political – cathartic – peers – identity – moderation – forced – pretentious – connecting – admitting – unresponsive – organic – finals – comatose – locked – illogical – impatient – puzzle – endurance – explaining – hospitalized – contact – lounging – determination – noise – flaky – precarious – foraging – debate – petrified – indulgent – confined – competitive – boxed – planning – festive – justice – guardian – gaunt – relief – culminating – enamored – spectacle – legend – exchange – awe-inspiring – letdown – obsessive – recharged – bros – nostalgic – reckless – low-key – blocked – hidden – liberated – closer – fruition – creative – candid – connected – barfed – fulfilled – unreciprocated – resigned – unsatisfied – waves – heartbreaking – inklings – anxious – capstone – firsts – traversing – trust – separation – restless – story-telling – carefree – unity – untamed – sleepless – rushed – end – irritated – celebratory – tears


These faces all say it all...or most of it.