IT IS OFFICIAL! - Click here to live happily ever after.: The MOST adorable adorable animals photo website…ever. I am quite the connoisseur of animal photo sites, and I have recently discovered the holy grail. Not only are the photos precious, but the captions lead to involuntary knee-slapping, fits of laughter, and an inability to breathe. Proceed with caution. And enjoyment.

I hitchhiked for the very last time from Windhoek to Outjo last Thursday. What is typically a quick pickup out of the capitol took me a record 2 hours! The ordeal ended when a semi-truck stopped along the highway to cover the beds with tarps. I noticed the license plates were from Outjo and so I begged the driver to let me ride with him. Not something I usually do, as I feel it is better to get a ride with someone who voluntarily pulls over…but I was desperate. Since I had no intention of standing in the no shade hike point in Windhoek for very long, I didn’t apply sunscreen and it was packed far down in my bag. Translation…I got burnt, yo. So as a final time hiking in the span of two years you’d think it would be successful, but I guess that is the surprise and unpredictability of Namibia and life in the Peace Corps. Check out my new tan line and sad face…

“Celebration when your plan is working? Anyone can do that. But when you realize that the story of your life could be told a thousand different ways, that you could tell it over and over as a tragedy, but you choose to call it an epic, that’s when you start to learn what celebration is. When what you see in front of you is so far outside of what you dreamed, but you have the belief, the boldness, the courage to call it beautiful instead of calling it wrong… that’s celebration.” - “Cold Tangerines” by Shauna Niequest

It has been about two years exactly since I left the US and embarked on my Peace Corps journey in Africa. I just arrived back in Outjo this weekend from my COS (Close of Service) conference in Windhoek. I said goodbye to a lot of great people and discovered the date that I’ll actually leave Namibia, March 28 2012. While this time in my life comes with a lot of mixed emotions, I find myself in an eerily similar place to where I was when I began. When I first arrived I was hesitant to declare all the reasons I decided to join the Peace Corps. I figured mostly that it was a big mix of things, but in actuality, I didn’t quite understand it then and I decided that it was something that may become clearer with time. It has become clearer with time, and while I won’t bore you with the list of reasons, I find comfort in this slow reveal as I begin on a similar journey to try to understand what these past two years have meant. I spent the past few hours reading through old blog posts that I wrote in the first few months after arriving here. I was impressed by my foresight, amused by my naivety, and proud of the courage and determination I had. The trivial things that once so easily knocked me off-kilter seem laughable in hindsight. The foods, amenities, and comforts of home I dwelled on so much now baffle me as I am having trouble remembering what that felt like to be so dependent on those things. In short, things have changed. On March 14th 2010, I wrote about what my post-PC plans had been and how quickly my priorities had changed since arriving. I wrote about the most important thing to me now was being with the people I love. While I still stand by that previous statement (and I believe leaving home has had a major impact on how much I appreciate the people in my life), being here for two years and realizing that those who matter will always be a part of your life no matter where you are or how far away you go, has allowed me to continue to find my way through life without constraints. Though I never anticipated attempting to stay in Africa after my service, as I am now, I did find hints to the possibility that this place meant something more to me and has for some time. An entry from February 19th of 2010 alludes to my first impressions of South Africa: The first thought in my mind after arriving in South Africa is that I missed this continent. There is just an overwhelming presence here that I’ve never felt anywhere else. It’s not really the smell, it’s not really the sounds, it’s not really the feel—it’s everything combined—and even though South Africa is about as far away as you can get from Egypt (and still be in Africa) I felt like I was returning to the same place again. The one thing I will say for sure is that the sky right after sunset, where the blues are striated and the palm trees really stand out, is exactly the same sky I remember in Cairo. While my actual service bears little resemblance to the fantasies I had before I arrived, all of the life-altering, self-reflecting, core-challenging aspects I expected from this experience have come to fruition. I am a much more grounded individual. I have a greater idea of where I want to go in life and what I want out of it. My values have focused to a point where I can now gauge situations against them and gain a much clearer picture of what is best for me. The worldview I had before has become much larger and continues to long for further development. In summation, I have found an inner peace that seems ironic but feels all too destined to be a fluke.

As I write I am sitting in the Peace Corps volunteer lounge. Wanting to go home (Outjo) because I’ve been in Windhoek too long but afraid to go home because it is one more step into the unknown. I don’t particularly know why it is all hitting me now, that some of the people that I nonchalantly said goodbye to over the past week may not be seen again for some time. These people that were my friends, family, counselors and sounding board over the past two years. I’m wondering what my impact actually was in Namibia, what have I accomplished here? I’m attempting to figure out where I go from here but the conviction to follow my heart and stay strong when things seem impossible is wearing thin at this particular time. I knew the end would be tumultuous, but I guess I just expected myself to filter things better; however, here I sit…not knowing whether to be excited, to be nostalgic, to cry, to question everything I’ve been doing lately, or to just close it all out and go to sleep. I leave Namibia on March 28th. I guess I have about two months to figure it all out.

This is Just Incredible/Adorable!!!: …and an amazing picture. Look how happy they are! XD

In 100 days I’ll be back in America. I’m scared. I’m excited. I’m…

Emily and I on the beach in Kendwa at sunset.

Arrived yesterday. Already planning my next trip here. Best first night I could have asked for. Photos to come! =)

AHHHH! My photo was featured on MSNBC!: After Matt Lauer’s recent trip to Namibia for the “Where in the world is Matt Lauer?” segment of the Today show, a photo I submitted for pictures of the places he has gone to was selected for the website! (Click the headline to see the website.)

Most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen. A stranger in mid-sentence pausing their conversation to greet you. A cool breeze, on a hot day, in the bed of a pickup. A night sky worth watching for hours. The simplest pleasures meaning the most. Children asking you for a dollar. The most beautiful landscapes imaginable. Vast expanses. Deep blue skies, yet again. Getting to know myself. The grasses glowing like filaments as the sun begins to set. Parrots outside my bedroom window. The underappreciated art of delayed satisfaction. Frustrations. Accepting those frustrations. A new perspective on happiness. Exotic animals grazing. Opportunities to be something more than myself. The refreshing cold from the riverbed. Shadow play on the wall of my bedroom at night. A catalyst for a better me. Waiting with my thoughts for a ride to the next town. A new home. The inability to imagine who I’d be without it.

In honor of Matt Lauer being on the Skeleton Coast in Namibia today, this little jelly that I found beached in that same area. Kinda looks like a holiday dessert, huh?

Proof that I wasn't alone! Nik the Nak. Zombie Myspace photo... Best. Snack. Ever. Wounds. Ta-da! Nice teeth. Guts. Demonic. Zombies can be sexy too...right?! PROOF THAT I WASN’T ALONE ON HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR!!! Zombies. Nik the Nak. Halloween. 2k11.

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]My idea of a perfect vacation…and yes…that cat was VERY pregnant!

I know this is barely Nam-related, but I noticed my desktop weather widget showed rain in Windhoek today and so when I expanded it, it said “Sprinkles” and I thought that was adoooooooorable. haha…sprinkles!!! I really think the wording of these things does effect mood, especially if they are adorable or feel-good words. I want more of this in my life. =)

To date, the most beautiful beach I have ever been to, Cape of Good Hope Park, South Africa

I’m typically not one to reblog, but this is probably my favorite architect and I wish the world would see more of his buildings. wallpapermag: Architect Daniel Libeskind’s trio of new projects Run Run Shaw, pioneering film studio chief and one of Hong Kong’s most famous sons, would have applauded Libeskind’s energetic design for the eponymous Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre. Located in the City University of Hong Kong, the 263,000 sq ft building brings together under one roof the new-media, film, design, and photography departments. Completion: October 2011 Photography: courtesy of Gollings Photography Pty Ltd

The famous “White Lady” ancient rock painting, Brandberg Mountain, Namibia

Dust rising from the sun-bleached salt pan of Etosha National Park, Namibia.

Street signs you’ll find in the great Kunene, my region, my home. Namibia.

The 8 out of 26 that showed up. We actually covered a lot in one day and it went very well! =)

Organ Pipes of Namibia…aka…geological wonder! The rocks split due to geological forces into specific shapes based on geometric law. Nerds playground.

I found this one to be particularly interesting and insightful…as it really makes you question your interests fully at each step. It is not your typical, “Which True Blood character are you?!” survey. http://nytimes.visualdna.com/quizzes/2b32bbf5-fb42-566d-a053-590cadd5f6e2/api-accounts/5cce676c-4146-5eff-bc51-839a03c2dcdd My result? I’m an Adventurous Spirit. Kinda spot on. =) “You have an innate ability to be able to see things from a number of perspectives and your inquisitive nature means that you are drawn to anything surprising or original. Forward-thinking and modernistic in your approach to life, moving with the times is important to you, and you are not afraid to push a few boundaries from time to time. You have got a wonderfully childlike spirit. You see the beauty in the simplest of things. Happiness is not something to save for the future, it’s about living in the moment. You’re a fast-mover and feel energized about anything that gets your pulse racing! You’re enthusiastic about life and an upbeat spirit who knows how to have fun and tends to value all which is fresh and new in the world. You tire quickly of old conventions and outdated ideas, wishing to experience new methods with youthful innocence and vigor. It’s all about big thrills and exciting antics that take you out of your comfort zone. You want to feel connected to the world around you and actively seek out opportunities to get closer to nature. For you, it is all about broadening your horizons and living life to the fullest!”

African Penguins at Boulder Beach, Cape Town, South Africa (ie, preeezzcchious)

I have selected and edited a large number of photos that will continually post for awhile. I’m not sure how much I’ll be writing/posting with this busy month followed by traveling and then of course, December and NYE in Cape Town. So, hopefully this will keep things lively here. Enjoy. =) Barnacles - Swakopmund, Namibia

It has been quite a while since I have written a blog post which is due rather honestly to the inconsistency of the last few weeks. Not only am I frighteningly aware of the last six months of my service but also zealously awaiting a few adventures that I have been planning since early last year. My time limited, my intentions many, my conviction wavering. Should I be putting my everything into the now? Should I be simultaneously completing my projects while preparing for my future once I return? How can one ‘be in the now’ but also make sure that they are easing into the next phase of their life properly? This is my current predicament. So far I have decided to tie up the loose ends of my VAST Grant by offering a computer training course which will take place this Saturday, continue to assist my counterpart and facilitate the ongoing activities of the Ministry of Health and attempt to wrap up most of this years’ work before my holiday in Tanzania and NYE in Cape Town. My last three months in country are looking to be quiet and uneventful, and I am truthfully looking forward to that. I hope that I can ready my office and my coworkers for the arrival of my replacement but also tackle any last minute requests that will inevitably come my way. At this junction in my life I cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment mixed instantaneously with a gripping fear of how I proceed from here. Earlier this year I began to question the probability of reconciling my two realities. How do I continue to appreciate the mundane? What do I ready my mind and body to accept as a shock? Where do I turn to when the people in my life – the people I left for the past two years – are not able to relate to my experiences and thus my inescapable tribulations? How do I merge the American past, my Peace Corps past and my present into one livable reality that makes the best of all realities? With what example do I begin to understand this fractured image of self? While this polemic continues to rage in my head, I cannot help but acknowledge that these sentiments are a result of my decision to, for the first time, venture out on my own trajectory. Not only do I take pleasure in the tangential nature of conversation with an old friend but also that of a person following their heart and allowing the universe to shepherd them unquestioningly to the next chapter of their life. Had it not been for Amelia’s advice to “[…] establish yourself in a place you think you’d like to end up for a while,” I would not have created such a vivid picture of where I’d like to go from here. If it wasn’t for my position in VSN I would not have been at the TDE Workshop where I first met Amelia. If it wasn’t for my urge to be the best that I can be in anything I do, I would not have had such a strong intent on throwing myself wholly into the Peace Corps experience, thus joining VSN. If I hadn’t first joined the Peace Corps I would be unable to join VSN. Had I not had parents who told me to “just do what makes you happy,” I would not have had the courage and support necessary to defy the expectations of our society to continue schooling or get a humdrum job and instead join the Peace Corps. Though I could continue with this course, hindsight being 20/20, and relay to you my current position/situations/reality as if they were beads on a necklace, one coming right after another as instinctively as droplets of water down a pane of glass unable to resist the laws of gravity, surface tension and the path of least resistance; I would rather leave you to question your own place and time relative to the ways in which you have determined your future and been influenced by the structured ambiguity of the universe.

I live here!: Great article forwarded by a RPCV about conservation efforts in Namibia, specifically in the region I live in, Kunene! =)

Most amazing apartment search website...EVER!: “MyApartmentMap was originally released in 2006 as a Google Maps Mashup that plotted Craigslist’s Apartments on Google Maps. In the following years the site has been continuously developed and maintained with the goal of becoming a full featured apartment search service.”

…hole in my recent postings…that is. Typically I will write my blog posts in a word document or when I’m feeling contemplative and will then post them here. Today I’ve decided to just wing it, and let my thoughts pour out as they like. It may not be eloquent, it may not be grammatically correct, but it will be me. As you can see by my previous posts I did a bit of travelling. Essentially I did the following over a span of a month and a half: Windhoek [many times…including a couple fantastic sundowners (where you drink and watch the sun go down…BEST IDEA EVER!), ate some amazing food…including oryx stroganoff!] Swakopmund (Climbed largest sand dune in the world, stalked flamingos in a lagoon, sundownersundownersundowner, ate amazing food) Climbed through Namibia’s largest mountain to a ‘cave’ with an ancient rock art painting called “The White Lady”. Witnessed some geological geometry at the organ pipes. Saw some of the most vast expanses of nothing I’ve ever seen. Braai’d some warthog and watched the sunrise well I showered outdoors at a fancy-shmancy lodge. Saw lions, rhinos, elephants, zebra, oryx, springbok, wildebeest, wild cats and wild dogs as well as a number of birds on a self-drive safari in Etosha…about 45 minutes from WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE. Climbed the Waterberg Plateau and found the most ADORABLE creatures at every turn…the lovely rock dassie. (googleit) Did a boat and land safari in Botswana’s Chobe National Park (largest elephant park in…teh world). Saw hippo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe and a number of other creatures. Was feet from both giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and elephants. Whitewater rafted in the Zambezi gorge at Victoria Falls (TWICE!). Once doing the second set of rapids, then once doing all 25 rapids including a number of which were class 5. You seriously start at the bottom of Vic Falls…incredible. Marveled at the biggest waterfall in the world. Ate the most amazing steak (which just so happened to be Springbok) I have ever tasted in my entire life…and I don’t even like steak. Climbed Table Mountain and realized that Cape Town is right near the top of both favorite city in the world and most beautiful city in the world. Drove around the peninsula spending the day playing in tide pools (sea urchins, anemone’s and other sea life), tracking baboons, wading in the clear blue icy South Atlantic, getting real close to some ostrich, driving on the edge of a cliff, hanging with some adorable penguins and watching the sunset from the balcony of another swanky hotel as we drank fruity drinks. Had the most amazing seared tuna steak and vodka martini…truly a fantastic and classy dinner. Tried 30 different wines in Stellenbosch, which may or may no have led to some interesting situations at the end of our tour. Gorgeous wine estates, nonetheless. Drank a boot of beer. Pet cheetahs. Oh…and how could I forget? HAD ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE TIMES OF MY LIFE! In other news, I was recently thinking about the possibility of extending for a third year of service in Namibia. After some recent situations, phone conversations with my family and a whole lot of thinking on my part, I have decided not to extend. While I had (and continue to have) an amazing experience in Namibia that has changed me, made me grow, given me perspective and altered the rest of my life in innumerable ways; I feel that it is time that I move on from here and embark on the next part of my life. So, looking at my little ticker at the bottom of this site, I see that I have 176 days remaining (about 6 months, give or take), and I cannot believe how quickly these two years have gone. I have a lot of work to finish up, some projects I am currently working on, and…of course…some traveling to do! I will be using up the last of my vacation days on a trip to Tanzania/Zanzibar in November as well a trip to Cape Town once again for NYE…which may include an accompaniment by Mr. Nate Trombley. Lord only knows the adventure we might have. Then I will have my Close Of Service conference in January, along with VSN meetings…followed by my final three months at site. As far as I can tell, this will fly. On the job front, I am looking into the possibility of doing a summer internship in Columbus and shacking up with my favorite boys who now all live together in one house. This could provide a number of things, such as 1 fun, 2 memories, 3 a resume boost, 4 web design experience, 5 shenanigans. I recently taught myself Dreamweaver and Flash and have been experimenting with web design, hopefully producing in the coming months a new portfolio website as well as the possibility of another website for a friend. I am looking forward to a summer of small trips to visit friends I haven’t seen in awhile and catch up on their lives. Lollapalooza 2012, yes please! Vacation with my family in Charleston/Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Spending a LARGE amount of time at home in Niles just vegging with my parents and maybe getting a little mosaicey with my mom…who knows?! My plan for the future involves world domination errr…getting a job as a graphic/web designer in San Francisco, possibly taking up kayaking or surfing, and starting a whole new phase in my life where I explore another new place and continue to hone and develop my interests. Oh…and did I mention I started my third round through P90X?! My parents (the saints that they are) have already shipped me a box full of CLIF Protein Builder Bars in my favorite flavor, mint chocolate, of course. My goal is to be in the best shape of my life come beach time on the white sands of Zanzibar. Shameless photo will be inserted here…you may choose not to scroll down if you like. I know, I know…not too classy…however I am proud of how much work I’ve put into it and how much my body has changed. So, now that you are all caught up on everything ME, I hope that I’ll find some time to edit/post some photos from my travels for you all to see. Until then, please feel free to search the archive for past photos and thoughts. For future reference, I plan on archiving this entire blog in another location so that it may be accessible as a remnant of my time in the Peace Corps. Love, Trevor

My imitation of a baboon...pretty good? Bwlaaaaahhh! I really don't know... Boat Safari Immunizations...take that Polio!!! At work in Outjo =) Elephants taste nice. Artsy-Fartsy Self Portrait CHEETAHZ! XD Looking pensive. How about a few pictures of me?

The IRC computers in Outjo got a brand-spanking new background design! =)

haha...Florida... ...and the crowd went WIIIIILLLLDDDD! Short program Talk. Don't shoot. Our second annual International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking! Mouthful. It went well and we paraded through the streets of Outjo.

Some of my kids in my TADA (Teenagers Against Drugs & Alcohol) classes that I teach doing an activity. This days topic was balanced diet…as it is not always about alcohol and drugs. They LOVE LOVE LOVE getting their picture taken. =)

I wrote a friend a Facebook message about a month or so ago explaining this really wonderful moment I had here in Outjo. I decided to rewrite it for my blog and make it a short and sweet entry…considering most of mine tend to be novellas. It was April 8th, a Friday, and it was the night of our first ‘Outjo’s Families First Nights.’ The event went well, with about 40-50 kids attending and…4 adults. We were riding back to the hospital and we took one of the back roads. We dropped Michelle, the other Peace Corps Volunteer in Outjo, off at her house and began heading back to the hospital. I was riding in the back of the open pickup truck and it was a brisk night, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable, but rather kind of refreshing. There was a full moon that night and as the pickup hopped and jumped down the dirt road, kicking dust high into the air, the moon seemed to chase after us through the bush. The blue light shone through the dust filled air and gave a dense depth to the camelthorn bushes on either side of the path. There were no artificial lights to wash out the stars and the sapphire sky stretched out above us like a backlit perforated membrane. A central part of the sky featured an arc of stars and luminescent dust that happens to be the arm of the Milky Way that our own solar system resides in, now only visible from about one-third of the places on Earth. The smell of sun dried grasses and the chirp of thousands of crickets filled the silence.

Look and smell AMAZING I want this plant!!! Parliament Gardens Shawn K. Peterson Esquire Snap dragons in beautiful Moroccan color Snaily friend. Wonky Dr. Seuss palm tree... Bug. A day adventure from earlier this year in Parliament Gardens, Windhoek Namibia.