61 days…. 2 months… 1/6 of a year. No matter how I look at
it, July 17th is coming fast. Faster than I ever imagined that it
would. What seems like just yesterday I still had five months to bring my American
life to a close for the time being and prepare for life in Zambia. As the
departure date gets closer, the more I realized that I am running out of time
to do all of those things I was hoping to do before I left. All the hikes I would
love to go on, all the places I would like to travel to see people one last
time before I depart….all the FAC’s and Sunday Night dinners yet to be had. All
of the Camping and fishing and just enjoying Colorado. Until yesterday, I thought
I was leaving the 30th but got confirmation that the departure date
was indeed the 17th. I was anxious when I heard the news. Maybe a
bit of anxiety. But it was not the fact that I would be leaving sooner than
planned that scared me. It wasn’t the fear of going to Africa, but I think for
the first time it became real. It felt real. This is really happening, I really
am going to move to Zambia and I really am going there with the Peace Corps. I couldn’t
be more ready to go. Granted there is still plenty to do. Bags yet to be back,
legal and financial things to be taken care of but I am truly ready for my next
adventure. I have always known that I
would never be content staying in the same place for an extending period of
time when I know there is something else or something more out there. I thrive
and am at my best when things are fresh and things are new. When things become to familiar It often times
feels as though I become trapped in the everyday monotonous pattern that many
call life. I seek change and I seek adventure and without that constant in my
life I will never be able to truly be who I am. An amazing adventure lies ahead
of me. One of awkward moments, frustrating situations and challenging personal
obstacles. But I know that even with those challenges an experience like this
one had the ability to continually transform and mold a person. The purpose of
life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out
eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.