13 more weeks...

What seems like a long time really isn't... The things I have to do before I reach June 17 are far too many. This not only includes Peace Corps preparation, but also wrapping up my last semester of school and finding the motivation to complete all my projects. You would think that I would feel greatly motivated at this point, but if anything I have been kind of distracted by life in general.

This week I started and finished reading Ishmael Beah's book "A Long Way Gone". That's one thing I had on my list of things to do that I get to check off! And what an emotional book it was... the horrors Ishmael faced were terrible and were experiences that no one should ever experience. He was a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone during the 1990s and was willing to share with us those painful memories and their frightening details. Through his book he not only gives light to those child soldiers but also to the people of Sierra Leone who faced so much suffering. Today Sierra Leone is much different from Ishmael described and I am very humbled that I get to be a part of its continued development after this bloody war. But, the thing I took most from that book is that Ishmael Beah's words truly shows us the resilience of the human spirit. Hope seemed very far away and nonexistent, but he never gave up. 

On the brighter side, today I finished all the necessary medical appointments before I leave, which means I can cross a couple more things off of my to-do list! I am happy that is all done. Nothing makes me more nervous than a doctor's office.


Peace,

Josh

P.S. If anyone knows of any good resources for an English teacher, please let me know!