I leave in a little over two weeks. Ahhhhhhh! I am so anxious to get on that plane. I am getting tired of answering people's questions about my trip and if I'm ready to go or not. Of course I'm not ready, folks! I feel like I won't be ready to be away from home for the first month or so that I am gone. I have done all that I can to mentally prepare myself for the homesickness I am about to encounter...and its time to get this show on the road!
I am so excited to meet my host family and get all settled in before classes begin. However, I am cherishing every last minute at home with my family, my friends, and of course my puppies! I have been so blessed with the most supportive, loving group of people surrounding me in my life...and for that I truly thank God every day. The only disadvantage of this everlasting love around me is having to move across the world from it!
I am really looking forward to the personal growth that I believe this trip will bring. I am being forced to live in an environment where I'll have to constantly use my brain and be aware of my surroundings, independently. I still can't believe that I am going through with this journey, and quite frankly I don't remember when I made my final decision to study in Peru. But, I knew that I couldn't let an opportunity like this pass me by!
To my friends: I can't thank you enough for all of your encouraging words of love and support these past few months! I will miss you all terribly, and I can't wait to see everyone when I get back and tell you all about it!
To my family: I wouldn't be preparing to travel across the world today if it weren't for you. I was very skeptical about going so far away from home, but I'm so happy that you all persuaded me to take a chance and live my life! It's only a semester, and you helped me realize that this is such a grand opportunity and such a small amount of time. I'll be home, armed with hugs and kisses, before I know it!To my puppies: Don't be too cute while I'm gone! I think I'm going to miss you two just as much, if not more, than my family and friends. And don't let mom take too many cute pictures of you--then she'll have to send them to me and make me even more homesick!
And finally, to Zach: (Apologizing in advance for the lovey-dovey words you're about to read) I truly can't think of anybody I hate to miss as much as I hate missing you. I can't describe in words how much our friendship means to me. As I travel all the way across the world, I will have a small piece of me left here with you. I'm pretty bummed that I won't be here with you during your student teaching experience, but I'm excited to be back in the spring to watch you walk across the stage and officially become "Mr. Springer." I'm so proud of you! I haven't even left yet and I already miss you. Can't wait to be back in your arms at the end of April...with many exciting stories to share. I love you to Peru and back (and then some). :)
