Transitions

I have just spent the better part of two hours watching various youtube videos made by PCVs who have been or are presently serving in Armenia. As recently as last week, there was a level of disconnectedness with regard to my upcoming move. But now, though I am still many, many miles away from Armenia, I feel very close to it. I have had the opportunity to touch base with some of those that I will be traveling with and communication with those presently serving. This is unbelievably exciting to me!

Peace Corps volunteers often cite the level of attention that is received in their host country: they are often subject to stares, comments, and questions....questions, questions, questions. I feel as though the Universe has provided me with a little taste of this here in America. I am constantly asked question after question about where I'm going and what I'll be doing there and how I'm preparing and when I'm leaving and what I'm packing and so on and so forth. Funny how the Universe does things like that.

Being able to actually see who I'll be traveling and working with, knowing that they too are going through these same emotions and having the same concerns and questions as me makes me feel as though I am significantly more connected to this journey. I am excited beyond words to meet these people face-to-face and go on the next leg of this passage together.

However, I am still very much in Southwest Michigan. And I am still very much dealing with making my way out of here in the next two months. Let me just say that I am not really a shopper. I don't mind going out once in awhile and getting some new clothes or whatever, but trying to make a deliberate purchase of....well....most anything, can make my head spin. That said, I finally bought luggage. I had been searching online for a ridiculous number of hours trying to find exactly what I was looking for. Then last night after my obligatory episode of Lost, I decided to do just one more Google search and BAM! There it was. Bright blue. Relatively lightweight. Dimension restrictions maximized. Let it be known that I fell asleep very soundly last night. I also got my two new pair of glasses (yay!) and a donation of a slightly used Nook Color from my mom (thanks, Mom!!).  I am however, still trying to find a good hiking pack and a decent camera. It's times like these I understand why personal shoppers exist.

Right now though, I'm very much enamored with this period of transition. One foot is out the door and I'm very excited to see what's outside, yet still comforted by the warmth of my familiar home. What an awesome balance to weigh.

Planning

It seems that though I have accomplished many of the little to-do's on my list, I keep adding to the bottom. I've managed to get most of my financial matters in order, the most daunting of which happen to be my student loans. Up to this point I had thought that as soon as that was settled, "all I have left to do is pack!" And while there is certainly much truth to that statement, I have found that packing is in of itself, a huge deal. I'm right now just trying to figure out what to put my stuff in, let alone what little items to pack. I've never flown internationally before (hah, I've never even flown to a different time zone), so the luggage dimension and weight restrictions are my main concerns when trying to pick out reasonably priced, lightweight, and decent quality luggage (any and all recommendations are welcome).

And of course, during this process of choosing appropriate luggage, my mind is inundated with thoughts of what I will fill it with. I haven't quite hit that step yet, but I know that there is no way I will be able to fit everything I want to bring. Between favorite cosmetics and lotions, shoes, clothes, books and items of sentimental value, I know that sacrifices must and will be made. However, I am still hoping to have room for at least one of my yoga mats.

My other most urgent concern revolves around spending some quality time with my favorite people. A bon voyage party may be in the works, which I am looking forward to, and a visit to Chicago is also loosely scheduled. However, I'm also trying to remember to save some of those little pockets of time for myself.

What I'm also trying to remember is to take it day by day. And to be compassionate with myself, especially in those moments where I feel like I'm never going to get everything done. The present is all we have, so those deep breaths and pats on the back for how far I've come are welcomed by my soul and are also helping to make this journey a smooth one. I'm extremely grateful for all the support I've received and am confident in my ability to face each challenge that comes my way. And regardless of what exactly that next challenge may be, I know that bringing myself into the now will be the first step in the right direction.

And the Countdown Begins...

With sixty-nine days before my staging, I am being asked a plethora of questions about my upcoming Peace Corps adventure: "What's next?" "Do you know the language?" "What language will you speak?" "Where exactly is Armenia?" "Are you excited?" "How do you feel?"

Sometimes I'm unprepared for the questions, but usually I'm eager to offer information about my trip and the tidbits that I've gathered with regard to Armenia, its culture, and its people. Words cannot appropriately describe the excitement that pumps through me each time I think that in a little more than two months, I will be submerged in a completely new and foreign landscape, making friends with people I haven't even met yet.

There is another part of me that is treating each moment I have left in the US as treasure; spending time with family and friends, enjoying the ability to have my whims met with ease (i.e. hot showers whenever I want, avocados anytime, streaming music and movies, and convenient transportation, among others). I will miss Lake Michigan, familiar hiking trails through the dunes, visiting my old stomping grounds in Chicago, and my cat.

This transitory period has been fairly comfortable however, as I have been blessed with enough time to tie up loose ends,  prepare mentally for the upcoming changes and challenges, and plan on continuing my education with regard to the language and culture of Armenia, as well as the expectations of me upon my arrival there. It has been a long journey of baby steps to get this far, and I am excited to see them finally culminate to actually serving as a PCV. Undoubtedly, there are more baby steps ahead. And I am excited for each and every one of them. :)