side note... curfew of 6pm and will later change to 9pm for the rest of the time... interesting. def another adjustment haha

Finally Here

I left for the airport around 430/5am on Friday morning for my flight to Philadelphia. Had Peace Corps Staging meetings from 12-7pm to make sure that all 46 of us were prepared for what to expect  for our first few days,weeks, and months in Kyrgyz. It was so cool to meet people who had been going through the same application and waiting process. I had a lot of fun getting to know everyone and really excited about the group going! Most of the other volunteers are teaching english as a foreign language, about 5 or 6 are going to be working to help set up local businesses and such, and the remaining 6 (such as myself) are working to promote health education.
All of us are getting on a bus this morning (Saturday) at 9:30am to depart for our flight to Istanbul at JKF (ironic that we are leaving from an airport named after the same man who started the Peace Corps government program). Then from Istanbul we will fly another 6 or so hours to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan!! Landing at 2:15am on Monday morning we are expected to be dressed in business casual. That same day at 7:30am we start our Peace Corps Training (8hrs a day M-F). Not much time to get over jet lag haha.
Overall I still cannot fathom how different my life will be in only a few short hours but now even more excited about the experience and all of the amazing things I will learn.  I've just need to remember to appreciate the small victories, however I choose to define them. I also need to remember how that it will be difficult at times, so patience, persistence, flexibility, and humor will take me a long way. Most importantly I need to always remember to have faith in all of my doubts.

As for now I get to look forward to lugging my luggage around. Some how the over-packer in me managed to bring  2 checked bags (duffel suit case weighing 46lbs and a backpack weighing 32 lbs) and one carry on tote (stuffedddd with clothes for the first few days (in case my bags are lost or delayed), my laptop, and extra documents.

Can't wait to see everyone in 27 months and catch up!

"Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone." Robert Allen

Final Count Down

Can't believe that I am flying away in only a few days! I'm so excited and nervous for this new chapter in my life. I have faith in my doubts and know I'll be able to eventually over come any obstacle in my path. I'm going to miss everyone so much but am so fortunate to have so many heart warming memories to visit!

I've spent the last few weeks saying my goodbyes and doing things I know I will miss. I visited OU, ate almost everything "Athenian" and tried to relive my college days with some old friends. My mom made a delicious early Thanksgiving dinner last and celebrated my dad's birthday a few weeks early. I've set aside birthday and Christmas cards for while I'm away. Finished of the winter broomball season with my team.

All that's left to do is: finish moving out my room, attempt to pack two 50lbs bags of luggage (clothing, shoes, essentials, ect), triple check paper work and documents, print off pictures, get a few last minute things, and continue to enjoy life in the states.

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two friends"