A year in Imbert and reflecting, I think mostly of the people that have surrounded me.

My family: Aracelis, Daniel, Frederick, Francelis, and Gelo. 5 people I’ve shared a meal with almost every day for a year. I think Ara is my number one supporter here. She encourages and helps me with my Spanish, signs her kids up for all of my classes, supports me in my projects, and includes me on all of the family trips. Daniel is a Yankees fan, but almost always knows the Braves’ score so he can keep me updated (not that I want to know lately). He comes and fixes my plumbing when the wind blows it over, paints the ceiling, and helps me weed. He puts up with my relentless teasing of his fear of frogs. He recently claimed his fear started when a frog knocked him over. Ara and I laughed so hard we were doubled over, gasping for air, when I tricked him into thinking there was one on the wall behind him. Frederick has been by my side ever since he walked all over town with me in the hot caribbean sun last summer. Now he’s the most diligent and responsible student on the newly formed yearbook staff. Francelis is always good for the best hugs, a good story about who’s been misbehaving in the neighborhood, and beats me every time we play memory. She has recently taken up politics and will most certainly be presidenta of the Republic. And then there’s Gelo, who saved my life for a week when he fixed up the charger to my laptop after a puppy I took in chewed it to bits.

But now I live on my own in a new neighborhood. And not entirely on my own since OB’s here. He greets me every time I come home whether it be from school, the market, the capital, or the states. And I swear he smiles. Then he sits as I always make him and lets out these, “Where have you been? It’s so good to see you!” cries. And I reply with a good pet and tell him I’m glad to see him too. I’ve come to depend on him, that precious dog.

And almost every afternoon I go to Gabi’s house. We plan projects, talk about culture, nonsense, dream about resorts, sing Amy Grant, and drink home made juice (if it’s lemon or cherry it’s picked in her yard). She’s my friend, my project partner, and a great neighbor.

Beyond my blessed Imbertenos there’s the Peace Corps network. Only with them can I speak Dominican Spanglish, celebrate or lament bowel movements, or call just because there’s nothing to do until the electricity comes back. They are the one’s I call when I miss my family, when my job frustrates me, or when I invite myself over because I need to get out of site... We can only call each other when we buy 2 platanos fiao, get mandared to buy cheese, or shart ( I only did one of these).

It has been a year. I can confidently say I’ve worked hard and intend to work harder. I’ve learned a lot about myself, my culture, dominican culture, and development.

I see the value in good government, good institutions and also see the challenge in incentivizing it. I understand the need for education, but know the difficulty in measuring its benefits.

I have seen and felt God in the smiles of Haitian earthquake refugees. And I know fully the importance of claiming people and expecting their best selves, as God has claimed me.

One year left, which is quickly becoming eleven months. Don’t forget to book those flights! Not much longer will you have a cousin/friend/daughter/grandaughter/sister/godmother living on a Caribbean island!