Almost Time to Go!

About this time tomorrow I will be on a plane to start my journey. I don't know how I am supposed to feel about this but I suppose I am feeling it wrong. It still hasn't hit me that I am leaving for six months. The concept feels too big to completely wrap my mind around.

All in all, I am logistically organized and ready to leave. However, my brain has some catching up to do. I have not fully come to terms with the fact that tomorrow night I will not be laying down in my own bed. It is a weird disjunct to see my belongings all neatly packed in my bag and my room cleaned, ready to await my return but still not realizing that I am going to be gone. I am not sure how to close this gap; how to be both physically AND mentally ready for this journey.

I am sure once that plane lands in another country it will become real for me. For now, I am almost glad for this reprieve my brain has given me. I have not really gotten too freaked out because I haven't really accepted that its happening. I am grateful for that.

Taking the Backpack for a Test Run

Dad and I went for a hike this morning so I could get used to the weight of the backpack! It went much better than I expected :)

A Much Deserved Thank You

As I am making final preparations to go abroad I am realizing how unbelievably unprepared I still feel. I have tried to account for every scenario I may encounter abroad, bring a copy of every document I might need and make proper arrangements in Uruguay and at home. I thought I had everything accounted for but one thing I could never account for was the amazing people I am blessed to have in my life.

Throughout the past couple of weeks I have seen an amazing out pouring of love and support for my upcoming journey. I have received phone calls, letters, Skype dates, visits, and texts from so many people. Each and every one of these has meant the world to me. Although I am extremely excited for the journey ahead, I am also unbelievably nervous. The love and support I have received has made this much easier for me. I am truly blessed to have the community around me that I do. I have been constantly reminded of this over the past months and weeks. 

The words "thank you" seem insignificant in regards to what I have received.There is so much more I want to say to you all but it is difficult for me to put into words just how much all of this means to me. 

An Open Letter to My Backpack (an homage to packing)

Dear Backpack,

Seeing as I leave in two weeks I figured it was probably time to start packing. For this reason, you have caused me much agony over the past couple of days. I started out with a reasonable amount of clothing and was proud of myself for how small I packed it all. You tricked me though because you couldn't even hold half of my belongings. You are so big and heavy yet you cannot carry many of my things. It is an unfortunate paradox.

It was not nice to lead me on that way. Don't worry, I've worked past some of your tricks and packed you full. However, the joke is still on me because I feel lucky to have squeezed in 1 pair of jeans, 1 sweatshirt, 4 pairs of shorts and 5 t shirts amongst a few other goodies. But hey, at least those clothes will be realllllly broken in by the end of the trip!

This should be a fun 6 months.

I hope our relationship improves because we have to spend a lot of time together.

Grace