This time it's to a country I can't picture in my mind, to a country where I don't know a soul and I can't lie and say that I'm not afraid.
So, truth be told, I haven't thought much about leaving this summer. I prepared of course, procured my clothes, prescriptions, visas, tickets, everything I knew I'd need. I just didn't think about actually leaving and what that would mean. With a little over three days left, the truth of the situation is becoming difficult to ignore. There are moments at two in the morning where anxiety wraps it's chilly hand around my chest and goodbyes that cause a painful lurch in my stomach. I looked at my mom today and said, "I'm leaving" and we both began to cry.
This is not, however, a sad occasion and I try to bring as much perspective to it as my 21 years allow. I'm embarking on a grand adventure but frankly, so is everyone else. For 8 months, our adventures will take us down different paths but in it's own way that's quite exhilarating. There will be more stories to share and triumphs to celebrate and much to look forward to at our happy reunion. So my goal is to say not "Goodbye" but "Good luck! And you damn well better email me."
