Well, it’s Tuesday afternoon, so come tomorrow I’ll have been here exactly a week. A lot has happened since I arrived, and it’s been a whirlwind. Sometimes I feel as though I’m in way over my head and wonder, “what was I thinking, coming this far from home for so long?” and other times I’m so excited to be here and try to relish the experience as much as I can! So let’s see, since I have so much to update and I’m too lazy to write out long paragraphs, I’m going to resort to what I call the “bulleted-list” update. The text will be fragmentary, but no less informative! Without further ado… Read the rest of this entry »

Well, Departure Day is almost here. It feels so unreal. I’m so ready to leave, but at the same time, I’m not. I’ve been having second thoughts, even though I am so excited about this trip. It’s funny, months and months ago, I couldn’t wait to go, and now that it’s finally here, I want to stay home…I guess that’s all just part of the pre-departure anxiety. I also started having anxieties about the flights…I love airplanes but I can be a jittery flier if I haven’t flown in a long time.

I will miss my family, friends, co-workers, choirs, jobs and all the familiar people, animals, places, foods, rituals and objects that define my life. For the next 4 months, I will meet new people, try new things and develop new routines. It will be an amazing experience, I just know it!!!