Jeez, did April go by fast or what? I can't say that the month held many out-of-this-world kind of must-tell adventures, but then again, I've probably become a bit desensitized to what I used to consider out-of-this-world. In any event, April (and the first bit of May here) have quickly passed me by and I am not complaining.
In about 30 hours from now, I'll be boarding a plane and leaving Tajikistan. For good. That thought still has not really sunk in yet. That might be because I haven't even begun to pack, but I think it's more to do with how normal living in Tajikistan has become for me. I've gotten very used to spending large amounts of quality time with myself. Tajikistan has made me more of an independent human that I ever thought possible. I have a much greater sense of self-worth these days and, in general, I just feel far more comfortable with who I am as a person. That's not to say I've been comfortable in Tajikistan, because I have rarely felt that way. I have, however, spent this uncomfortable time learning loads about myself.
My plan for this post was not really to go on about my inner feelings, but more to give myself, and this blog, a sense of closure. So here it is. I AM FINISHED. There were plenty of times that were challenging and plenty more that were simply unforgettable. At the end of this academic year abroad in Central Asia, I am proud of my accomplishments. I never thought I would survive this tough of a life, but I have. So even if I hadn't become rather proficient in Farsi, I would still have my survival to hang my hat on.
Thanks to my friends and family back home that kept me as sane as possible through this whole experience. Spending my junior year in Tajikistan is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I'm strangely glad that it happened this way. I learned so much here and I can't imagine what my life would be like without these experiences, which are now in my rearview.
So this is me signing off from this blog. Thanks again. And I'll see you all soon.
PS. Okay one quick anecdote, a few weeks ago I went back to the National Zoo (a thoroughly depressing place). While there, I saw a fully grown ram use its horns and escape from its cage. Many Tajiks fled the scene. When I left the zoo about 30 minutes later, the ram was MIA. So the thing could easily be in China by now. The strangest part was that when I relayed the story to professors and my host family, no one really seemed that shocked. Classic Taj.
