3 weeks to go... and SOOO much to do.
I
am going to take a few minutes to share with you a few questions I have
been pondering and attempt to give the best answer I can give.
Question: How does one spend time with everyone before going to the other side of the world for 4 months?
Answer:
It is not possible to spend quality time with everyone to the extent
that I would like to spend. Right now I'm down at my aunt's house in
Panama City. I haven't seen her in a few months. My dad and I decided
to come down here for a few (precious) days. Thursday afternoon I'm
going to eat dinner with my boyfriend's family and one of my friends
from high school. Friday, I head to Judson to see everyone there for
the weekend. I have at least one appointment everyday next week to try
to get everything in order before Australia. I hope to go to my Nana's
house and maybe see my cousins. Then I am off to Chicago to visit my
sweet boyfriend. When I get back, I will have one week to pack, spend
time with my entire family, and catch up with all my friends.... this
is going to be a looooong few weeks. Therefore, I might possibly ignore
the urge to snooze in order to spend every waking minute with someone.
(and I THOUGHT this would be a boring month hahaha)
Question:How
do I deal with the intense fears my family has when they realize all
the deadly creatures that lurk around every corner of the continent?
Answer:
AVOID AVOID AVOID I have mastered the art of avoiding this topic. I
prefer to bring up topics like: I am so excited to see a kangaroo or I
cannot wait to see the Opera House. Unfortunately, these comments are
always followed by some extremely negative comment from my folks. For
example, "The kangaroos aren't what you need to worry about, it is the
poisonous snakes... did you know that out of the 10 deadliest snakes
over half of them are only found in Australia?" or this one, "Promise
me (for the 6,000,000,000th time) that you will not even get
near a body of water." I am beginning to think they do not want me to
even take a bath! Getting up and acting like I have to go to the
bathroom is a great way to stop the conversation ;) Just kidding!
Question: How will I deal with the lack of contact?
Answer:
Anyone have any prozac? Not really, but seriously, right
now it is really easy to be excited about my upcoming adventure. As
excited as I am, I know it will not be easy to be SO far away. I still
cannot figure out how I will talk to people. I know there will not be
internet at my homestay. Long distance phone calls will be few and far
between. Everything has fallen into place so far, I pray that I will
quickly connect to the people I am traveling with so we can be a
support system for one another. AND hopefully, I can find time to
skype!!!
As the trip gets closer,
all my emotions seem to intensify. I will soon be in the world "down
under"... a place totally different from the world I know. All I can do
at this point is ride it out... let my emotions flow... and realize
that it is all part of knowing that my life will forever change in less
than a month!
"Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work's
important, family's important, but without excitement, you have
nothing. You're cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what's
coming."-Nicholas Sparks in 3 Weeks With My Brother
Do not forget to enjoy what is to come!
-Christina Lee
