Presents!

Walking to the post office in subzero temperatures wasn't so bad after getting tons of Christmas mail this week!

Thanks Aunt Liz, you spoil me

Thanks Alec, you know me so well!

Thanks Abby, you're so thoughtful bestie!

Thanks family! Now you don't have to hear me complain about how cold it is with all these winter clothes ;)

I am so excited about all the gummies I have in my kitchen right now! Thanks again to everyone who sent me a Christmas care package, every single thing is amazing! You really made my holidays easier and reminded me of home :) I sent you all a little something back so keep an eye out!

Since this is my last post this year, I thought I'd reflect back on 2011. Though Peace Corps lost their founder Sargent Shriver, this year was also Peace Corps 50th anniversary and the year I became a Peace Corps Volunteer. After completing the application and getting my acceptance letter back in 2010, there was the waiting, the packing, the thinking oh-my-god-I'm-actually-doing-this, the language/job/culture training, the moving to site, the integrating, and the actual working in 2011. Although my commitment to world peace and friendship hasn't wavered, this year has not been easy. Actually, it's been the hardest year of my life! It's pushed me to the edge of my comfort level (and then some) but everyday I'm becoming more acclimated, more confident, more resilient, and more patient. This year has not been easy for a lot of people with 15% living below the level of poverty in America and an even higher percentage throughout the world. Yet, "the happiest people don't necessarily have everything, they just make the most of everything." I wish you good health, success, love, and most of all, happiness in 2012 :)