This post is about two weeks late, but none the less I think I should still write it. I have now been here in Romania for a full year. I'll start by saying this... it doesnt seem real. My director likes to tell me that the people here in Romania feel like they have been taken out of time. In some way while things still move forward the old traditions and ways are still held to be more important. Looking back on the last year I feel like time has been playing tricks with me. It went by very fast, but so many things seem so long ago. I just spent a couple of days with the new trainees and remembered what it was like to be in their shoes only a year ago.

Turns out, training was a very long time ago. Even thinking about being at home only in January really feels like it was more than a year. The days and hours move slowly, but the weeks and months just fly by.

Then of course, with a year into service it is only natural to take stock of what I've gained and lost. I've lost a lot. I have also gained an understanding of a new culture and discovered new definitions of friendship and commisary. I've made some friends, and been adopted into two new families. I've reached levels of frustration that before were unimaginable. I've also become very happy by the simplest things. I've hitchiked, spent the night on trains and buses and city streets. I've also lost friends, something I regret. I hate letting people go.

In a year I'm sure I will be thinking much the same way. I could be headed home a year from now. plane tickets in hand, I could also just be getting ready for another move... and another year of service.