Why Am I Doing This?

I've been asked this question a lot lately. Why? How do I say that it was a decision that was not hard to make. Am I running away? Why can't you be happy in MN? No, I am not running away. Yes, I can be happy in Minnesota. But at the same time, I can't remember a time after the age of 15 that I didn't want to live somewhere else. To help. To experience things that are outside my comfort zone. Maybe at 15 it was running away. By now, it morphed into something else. I want to not just travel but submerge myself in a different culture.
2010 is the year of "NO FEAR". I want to not just talk about doing things, but to ACTUALLY do them. I want to break away from people's preconceived ideas about who I am, challenge myself, and try to become the person that is in me trying to get out.
My dream though might be dashed. I just got an email from the Peace Corps that stated that I answered a question about being charged with a Misdemeanor or Felony wrong. 16 yrs ago I shoplifted a $5 worth of nothing, got caught and had to pay a fine. If I pleaded guilty, the charge would be taken off my record in the next year. I didn't think I had to report it, but I guess I did. So, last night I had to fill out a form and document what happened. Then the PC will make a decision as to whether or not I can still go to Bulgaria. I think that everything should be fine, but I am nervous anyway. Just one more thing to worry about.

Hopefully, the next post will be a packing list or something fun. Wish me luck!

The Final Days

It's 7 a.m. and sleep eludes me. I wake up in the middle of the night anxious about something. Funny thing is that I don't know what I am anxious about. Then it hits me: I am leaving the country. It seems surreal. I am living my life normally; working, hanging out with friends, cleaning the house, etc. and every once in awhile BAM! it hits me. What an odd feeling to have day after day.
I make lists, cross items off, make new lists, and wonder what still needs to be done.
I am in the final stages of this life as I know it. Now it all about tying up loose ends and saying goodbye. I told someone yesterday at work that it's what terminally ill patients must go through to some extent when they know they don't have long to live. Making lists of things that still need to be done, getting financial affairs in order, and spending as much time with the ones they love, all while trying to live as "normal" a life as possible.

My First Blog

Monday, April 12, 2010

I am trying this blog thing out.  Is it pretentious of my to think anyone will want to read what I have to say?  

I am just trying to stay organized trying to get everything together before I leave for Bulgaria.  I met a girl today at REI who is going to be in the same Peace Corps group as me. It will be great to at least know a semi-familiar face once I get there.  

I  hope this goes well and it will prove to be a fun way for everyone to follow my adventures in a foreign land.