10 Things...

10 Things I am looking forward to when I return home next week:
1. Watching the Ravens live. Not going to lie, it's quite a challenge to not be able to watch them play.
2. Hot showers/water. I've gotten maybe 3 showers with warm water since being here, so I fully intend on taking a very, VERY long hot shower and/or bath when I get home.
3. Salads. You just don't know how much you want one until you can't have one!
4. Brushing my teeth with water from the faucet. It sounds like a simple thing, but it's such a luxury to be able to just rinse your toothbrush off under the faucet and not with a bottle of water. I've only had to throw away one toothbrush so far, so I'm kind of proud of myself.
5. I hate to say it, but my Blackberry. It has been very freeing to not be attached to my phone all the time, but it really does make life so much easier when you are trying to make plans or find someone in the city.
6. Starbucks. Yeah, it makes me an awful, stereotypical American, but I really am excited to have some Starbucks at home. And the red cups and gingerbread lattes should be out by then! :o)
7. Regular sleeping habits. Waking up between 6 AM and 7 AM to a rooster cawwing, and going to bed before 10 AM can do weird things to you. Not bad things necessarily, but weird things.
8. Making my own food. I love to cook. I love to cook what I want to eat when I want to eat it. Paulina is a FABULOUS cook and makes wonderful meals, but I do believe I am ready to make my own meals again.
9. Gracie, the fat cat. I miss her sleeping on my legs, waking me up early for breakfast, and staring at unknown creatures under the oven.
10. Target. Yup, I said it. It's been a month and I haven't been to Target and I can't wait to go when I get home!

10 Things I will terribly miss when I return home next week:
1. Waking up to a view of mountains outside of my windows. Amazing.
2. Via Via in the afternoon. Via Via is an adorable little cafe kind of place that overlooks the main plaza. I think I go at least 3-4 times a week in the afternoon to enjoy a coffee or fresh juice with the other volunteers.
3. The Peruvians. Everyone is so extremely kind and welcoming. Even though we don't speak the same language, everyone says hello (or hola rather). Kids wave and want to talk to you. It's truly wonderful and truly refreshing.
4. The volunteers. What a great group of inspiring people!
5. The sense of giving back to a community. Though I have only lived here for a few weeks, there is a feeling that you get when one of the kids says "cow" in English or gives you a hug that makes everything worthwhile.
6. The Wawa Wasi kids. I really did come to love these kids. Yes, they didn't like me to feed them all the time. Yes, they occassionally clawed at each others faces, but I loved them. And they taught me so much about myself.
7. The dogs. There are just the cutest dogs in the world running all over the streets here!
8. Appreciating what you have and never taking anything for granted. I think that goes without explaination.
9. CCS in general. What a great company, with an amazing staff. Without these guys, not only would we not have the opportunity to work with and communicate with the community, but we would never get to see the country in the way we did. Who else gets to see a Shaman and go sandboarding in the same weekend??
10. Feeling like a true citizen of the world. Call it cheesey, but this opportunity has made me consider myself a world citizen. It's not just a vacation. It's not about sightseeing and tourguides. I've actually made myself a member of a community that is not my own. I've seen things from different eyes, and that is an experience I will never forget.