To the U.S. and Back for the Last Hoorah

After a long holiday season in Moldova, I did the most strategic thing just a day before it got really cold and snowy in Moldova.  I left for 17 days and visited all my favorite people and places in the United States of America.  I spent a few days in Nebraska, over a week in lovely Bozeman, MT where my sister and her husband live, and a long weekend in Washington, DC, my old home before joining the Peace Corps.  Although I am only a short 5 months away from COS'ing (Close of Service), the trip was the perfect retreat for me especially as I plan to stay in Europe beyond July for at least a few months.  I felt so very blessed to see so many loved ones and for them to take me in with open arms!

Pure enjoyment I found in the U.S.:

• Being with my dear family
• Seeing good friends in DC
• Friendly people
• Sister time
• Cousin time
• Good customer service practically everywhere!
• A solid burger and sweet potato fries with a microbrew at the base of a mountain I just skied
• Super nachos several times
• Super sales on clothing items
• Driving a car
• Grocery shopping in a fully-stocked store (including tasty green vegetables!)
• Cooking in a fully-equipped kitchen
• Coffee shops with good coffee and pastries, where everyone speaks English as a first language
• I could go on with food but I'll suffice it to say that I had my fair share of delicous food (Thai, Mexican, Spanish, American, and snacky stuff).  What made it all so pleasurable I'm sure, though, was that it was enjoyed in good company.

I was quite curious to know how I would feel coming back to the States for the first time in over a year and a half.  I realize how my interests have been clarified over the last couple years.  I know now that I am not interested in policy work as I once was.  I'm not really interested in purely administrative work, unless it's with a program with which I am terribly passionate.  What I am drawn toward  is business development, entrepreneurial education, youth, agriculture and my own pursuits within these fields.  I want to get my hands dirty and always work with the people around me!  I'm also continually mulling over the idea of how values and integrity play a large role in the development of a trustworthy, strong business; of good education; and of families.

Now I have a few more months to close out my 2-year Peace Corps commitment and will give my all to maximize the opportunities in front of me.  Over the last weekend, the Diamond Challenge Moldova competition took place, and I was so encouraged by the teams of youth that had worked hard on presentations they gave and the business canvases they had created.  Find more info from my colleague Patrick's blog.

Mariana responds to creating an app that responds to shaking on her Android device.

Today, I met with a few girls, who just enrolled in Technovation Challenge, an initiative we're promoting here for the first time in Moldova.  The Challenge teaches girls how to create web-based applications that can help solve problems in their communities.  Through the course of 12 weeks, girls create an app and business plan and pitch their ideas virtually through a competition nationally in Moldova.  The winner of the program will then have a chance to travel to the U.S. to compete in the World Pitch Competition.  The program in general is a way to encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  Today was groundbreaking, as the girls made their first basic app's through the MIT App Inventor.  It was awesome!