Hasta Luego

See you later!

During the past few weeks I have said this phrase quite frequently to friends and family members as tomorrow comes closer and closer on my calendar. At 6:00 am this morning I began my travels to Miami, Florida, where I will spend a little over 24 hours turning in paper work, meeting other volunteers and preparing for the 11 hour flight to Paraguay. On the morning of the 24th I will begin my new life in Paraguay as Peace Corps Volunteer for 27 months. My first three months will be spent in a small city an hour outside of Asuncion, studying language, culture, and my volunteer focus area of environmental education. After the three months of training I will then be sworn in as an official volunteer and begin my two years of service.

My emotions are on a constant roller coaster from extreme excitement to overwhelming nervousness. I am most nervous for the host family experience that will begin the first day I am in Paraguay. Hopefully all will go well and I will be able to communicate my basic needs to them and they won't laugh at me too often. The first few weeks will be challenging for me as I continue to miss friends and family that will no longer be in my daily life, but I am excited about building a whole new community of friends around me.

I am excited to continue updating this blog throughout my Peace Corps experience so I can stayed connected with all of you! Do not hesitate to write, email, and/or visit me when I am in Paraguay. I want to hear what is happening in your life just as much as you might want to hear about mine. Although I may be leaving for a few years my heart is full of memories and laughter that will never disappear. Each one of you has shaped my heart. I am who I am because of you.

Thank you
God bless
I love you!