Not every PCVolunteer is a close friend, but many have a special quality about them that I enjoy. Some have left a greater impression on me than others and because of that I know I will continue to stay in touch with them long after my service is over. So, I thought it important to highlight those who are helping to change my life for the better by simply being there for me when I've needed them; either by simply sitting in Coconut Palms Hotel watching music videos or just being present when I facilitated a workshop for the first time on my own. These are the messengers in my life that the Universe placed in my path on the other side of the world to teach me "wan sumting" that I did not even realize I needed to learn.
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Laura is the determined, fearless runner, which is how she handles life with seemingly no fear. Her energy has kept me focused on what matters most. Not to mention she was a great running partner during our Pre-Service Training in Paunangisu.
Kerry is the dancer of Group 22 and her bubbly nature is contagious. When shit hits the fan I think of her living in the Banks (the northern-most island in Vanuatu and one of the most remote) on her own and yet managing to do so much at her site; including organizing a dance troupe with her students.
Brianna & Bob are now in the States and are absolute sweethearts. Bri's fierce personality gets things done while Bob has a comedic response to almost everything. There is endless laughter when they're around. Brianna is a tough cookie...she broke her leg playing soccer...her leg fell in a coconut crab hole, but rarely did she complain or cry about hobbling around town for 6 weeks in a cast. Yu Yes!
Zoe and Hali are energetic and strong women. They know how to have fun and don't allow the stress of being a woman (esp. Hali who's in Tanna..manly man island) bring them down. In a fight Hali would absolutely throw down right beside me. Hali (again in the green shirt) looking angelic....so not (j/k), but thought the picture was cute.
Arthur is a doll. At first glance when I met him I thought "what the f#$* is that?" (at the time he has a long beard, long hair, no t-shirt and no shoes), but after a few conversations he turned out to be one of the sweetest individuals. He re-taught me not to judge a book by its cover.
Dan (not a PCV, but a Kiwi... we don't hold it against him) and I have a love/hate relationship. More love than hate, but don't tell him that. He's always up for some laughs and beers and has never shy-ed away from a good verbal ass whupping courtesy of me. I'd say he too can whup my butt verbally but 90% of the time I don't understand the words coming out of his mouth. ha!
Erica (blue shirt) & Lauren (last one on the right) 2 of the girls from Pentacost are peas in a pod. They shared their home with me when I went to visit and always have great stories when they come into town. Erica's laughter is contagious!
Oh Travis (now in the States)! I had to post this picture of him cause it says it all. At first glance you think he's the quiet type but "waet smol" and he will let loose. He has a witty personality that comes out when you least expect it. I thought I'd pee my pants many times from his sillyness. But he's also a gentleman he's the one what will wait with you at a bus stop at night or walk you home to ensure you're safe.
Bridgett (yellow shirt; now in the States) and Sandy are another pair of strong women that I would definitely want on my side in a debate or a fight. They look out for their own and have no fear of sharing their opinion with others. Love them!
Michelle (black shirt; back in the States) and Alexia (turquoise jacket) are a riot in their own right; put them in the same room together and they will have everyone on the floor dying of laughter without even trying to be funny.
Kalli is a smart cookie. She never ceases to impress me with her knowledge on nutrition. She can break down a carbohydrate like nobodies business. The best part is despite her "save" she's never one to boast nor she is full of herself, which is why I enjoy her company. Intelligent women rule!
DARCIE!!! She is one of my girls! Any bright or not-so-bright idea I may have she's willing to take part in. Before relocating to the island of Erromango she opened her door to me countless times without hesitation whenever i came into Vila. Not to mention its always cool to have a friend who can dive her butt off. In case of open waters I'll have her attached to my hip.
Jessica (shown here with her friend the Dead Saloon Kangaroo) is another intelligent woman i would call if I only had one life-line left on Who Want's to be a Millionaire. She is so meant to be a teacher. Her skills at mediating hostile situations (our PST group was very emotional while in Paunangisu) were priceless.
My brother from another mother, Norman, straight from Puerto Rico he is a professional Peace Corps Volunteers as he's served in 3 different countries including Vanuatu. This man can survive anywhere. if lost in the middle of the woods i would smoke signal his butt to save me. I absolutely adore his crazy hippy self.
And here we have Eugene the IT genius...or at least he knows his computers and what i love most is that he is not condescending to those of us "IT volunteers" who may not know it all and he loves to share his knowledge. A man that is OK with treating women as their equal when it comes to computer science has my vote!
Sara is a Southern girl through and through. She is sweetheart! Sometimes I just want to "noogey" her like a little sister, but don't get it twisted she can hang with the best of us. Give her some bat, turtle or dog and she has no shame eating it. LOL.
Then there's Yegor...(reading a book in the distance) the GQ Spartan who is also my cooking buddy when we're in town together. He's the one that built his own gym on his island and makes me miss 24-hour fitness. Great motivator when it comes to staying in shape!
Courtney will probably kill me when she sees this picture up but I had to do it. This chick can turn any object into a microphone and karaoke her butt off no matter where she is. She is also known as Madame Esperanza for her ability to tell the future...well, she does a good job acting as a fortuneteller. I love this girl. We sit in the Peace Corps office and can't help but make each other laugh. Her Southern twang alone has me howling esp. when she's "mad" and curses. Georgia Peaches never sound angry... it's a trip!
Another PuertoPecanRican from NYC my girl Desiree...she may be 5'nothing, but when in a club she serves as my bodyguard and my Jimney Cricket. I will definitely be hanging with her when we return to the East Coast.
Here we have Nicky (far left), Alex (middle) and Alvetta... with Desiree (above) we were the United Nations in Paunangisu...fabulous multi-ethnic women who have a great knack for listening to me vent when i just needed to spew my frustrations. No way I could've made it this far without these ladies to support me and lift my spirits.
Well, in a nutshell these are the PCVolunteers that have found a place in my heart just for being themselves. Everyone should be blessed with these type of people in their lives.
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