The toughest Job you will ever Love

Ten years ago I boarded a night train leaving from Silistra, Bulgaria heading for Sofia, Bulgaria. I cried the whole 12 hour train ride I think. Cried for a city I have not been back to visit. Cried for the people I loved in that city. Cried for a dream achieved and finished. When I arrived on that very same train two years before I never imagined that I would become so attached, so changed, so loved. I was living the dream of many young Americans who hear the words of JFK, " Ask not what you country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." As a Peace Corps volunteer I was speaking a different language, living in a different culture and changing who I was. I learned that the world was an unjust place and that I was privileged. I learned that sometimes the littlest thing could bring a smile to your face. I learned what true friendship was and I learned that love can make the world brighter. Ten years ago I left my home and came home and that has made all the difference.

New Leaf

She promised herself this year she would turn over a new leaf. It was her New Year's resolution. But 2 minutes and 13 seconds into 2010 she was up to her same old tricks and a man was dead in the gutter because of her. She had not meant to do it, but he had grabbed her from behind and really she had no choice, no one grabbed her from behind. She went absolutely ballistic, pummeling the man with a strength and vengeance that none of her colleagues at the library would ever believe she was capable of, she was a librarian in children's books after all, she spent her days surrounded by children and picture books, but underneath her tweed skirt and sweater set beat the heart of a warrior. All of the witnesses agreed that the women who killed this man was at least six feet tall and stunningly beautiful, they were all sure. They disagreed on her hair color, some said vibrant red, others glistening black, all were sure she was wearing a leather skirt and thigh high boots. You see witnesses tend to see only what they want, so when the mild mannered mousy haired, five foot two librarian in the tweed skirt walked away from the scene of the crime shaking her head and muttering about a new leaf, no one paid attention.