Here you have it! Back in Talin, I have completed the sad task of looking back at the photos over the past two weeks, well, first part of it anyways. My camera battery died at the beginning of the week in Mexico and didn’t recharge it until the day I left….awesome, right? Oh well, this will provide you with an idea of how life may have contrasted my last six months in Armenia.

Not only did I speak English, and a little Spanish, I was able to laugh freely, love and be loved by some of my best friends and family in person, and eat guacamole…non stop! For those I did not see I am already planning my trip for next year!!! Fifteen hours on a plane provide more than enough time to create quite the itinerary..ha.

It was an incredible time and I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to go home during my service. It is day one back here and as my body clock is off, it may be awhile both physically and emotionally before I re-adjust into my routine. I guess I can thank Kim and Dale  for inviting me to be a part of a vacation in Mexico where I would be served drinks and food at all hours in a place where the sun never left the sky…well, except night of course. And, to my nieces for making me not only want to have children, but make me appreciate the little things in life…no pun intended.

Before I describe the photos in my usual fashion, I want to thank all of you who contributed to “Santa Claus is coming to Talin”. I handed Nune, my host mother, over $400 that was raised to purchase toys for the giveaway we will be doing on New Years Eve today (Brief description: Dressed up as Santa, and with the help of a few others, I will be visiting houses in Talin to pass out toys to those children who may not have received any gifts otherwise). Nune was beyond excited and is planning on heading to Yerevan this weekend to purchase the items.  The next post will have photos off the toys awaiting their new owners!!

Well, Merry Christmas!!! I am heading up to Gyumri to spend the holiday with Kim and Evelyn. I hear they are making fudge tomorrow!…almost as good as guacamole.

love you guys.

#1: This photo was taken the day before I left in Talin, at School #1, with myself and three of the teachers. Stella, on the right is also my landlord. She is great and will most likely be mentioned in more posts to come.

#2: This is Megan at her dance class giving her reaction to the news that we were indeed going to be eating at Panera for lunch, her faaaaavorite restuarant.

#3: Here is Jennifer, sitting on Uncle Brian’s lap, giggling in the way 5 year olds do…constantly.

#4: Please soak in the incredible decorating techniques of the Stevenson family. The vote is not out yet, but we are confident it will win for the best lights in Acton, Indiana this year. Matt, you are a good man.

#5: I love this picture, as it shows not only Megan being cute, but it is a quality depiction of my parents relationship. My dad being himself and my mother judging him for it…ha. I joke, but check out her face…priceless.

#6: Welcome to Cabo! This was taken at Sunrise on our first morning there.

#7: The patio of my bedroom for the week. Please note: Hot tub…yes!!!

#8: the bathroom. did I mention that a few weeks ago I was excited to have a toilet seat in my apartment. I am so screwed now.

#9: It wouldn’t be Mexico without Corona. Here Tara and I are enjoying some cold ones after learning some highly educational card games that may have involved consuming said Coronas…ha.

#10: Here is Kim enjoying the patio furniture. Every inch of the house had a place to take a nap. Which equals paradise.

#11-13: different views of the pool.

#14: Palm trees from the view of the hammock…just before a nap.

#15: Sunset. The end of another beautiful day. We stayed there 7 nights…not a bad view 7 days in a row.

#16: Hot tub at sunset…because it is not good enough during the day

#17: Here Mitch is showing off his skills at the edge of the pool. I did not try, don’t worry.

#18: I love this picture as it shows Mitch and I in the prime seats…the trunk. It reminded me of riding in Uncle Chris’s volvo growing up. We always fought for the seats in the back. Yes, it is still cool looking backwards while driving.

#19: ZIP LINING through the Canyons of Cabo! There were 9 of us that went and 9 of us that left. It was awesome, though Tara did obtain a wound at the hands of a plant on one of our trips across the lines. Here Mitch and Tara are smiling pre game

#20: Mitch and I showing our anxiety for the event

#21: Here Tara and Ryan posing for the camera.

#22: The goodbye lunch with Matt, Mandy, Mitch and the girls at Qdoba. I miss them already.

Again, it was an incredible trip with incredible people. Proving yet again that life truly is an adventure. Loving it.