At the end of the chaos that was evacuation, in the peaceful and alarmingly quiet days of shutdown, I think often of where I was 2 months ago. And though I know I’m in the right place now—at home in Ohio—I yearn for the heat, liveliness, and fabulously caring community of my life in Myanmar.

Sometimes my fridge contains only an apple or two, but more often than not there are five, six, seven… or more. One day last week I counted 11 apples.

Volunteering with the Peace Corps isn't easy, but collaboration and inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

I wake up at 6:30 a.m. to the sound of a woman shouting her wares as she walks by my house, a basket balancing high on her head. “Eggs!” she yells, “boiled eggs!”

The Thai phrase “jai yen yen” which literally means “keep a cool heart” is very special to me and happens to be tattooed over my heart.

Sports have always been my favorite way to connect with people. Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Tee-ball – it never mattered what the game was; instead, what mattered was the community and confidence it inspired.

I remember precisely the time and place when I got the news that I had received an invitation to join the Peace Corps in Myanmar. 

Recently, while settling in to watch the new Avengers movie with my counterpart at our nearest movie theater, I had a thought: you haven’t really lived in a foreign country until you’ve watched a movie there. 

Kyaikhto, pronounced “Jai-toe,” is a town of simple, yet entrancing, scenery filled with locals who share a collective appetite for celebration. 

Once upon a time, I applied to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, received an invitation, traveled to Myanmar, began pre-service training, and taught fairytale mad libs. Now, you may be wondering what fairytales have to do with Peace Corps.