Ready to go

Five more days. It has come up on me so fast.

People keep asking me if I'm scared. I don't think that I am anymore.

I wasn't worried about leaving at all until about a month ago. When the people that are close to me started to realize I am leaving it made me realize that I am leaving and I started to second guess myself. I worried about life in the US moving on without me, missing out on what was going on in my friends' lives. People might get married, have kids, and I would miss it. I started to worry about people forgetting about me.

But by now I feel like I've had a chance to say goodbye. To reminisce on old times and look forward to making new memories when I get back. I've been reassured that people will actually miss me. I've had time to buy all the things I need to bring with me (and I'm sure much more than I really need). I feel ready.

So with these last few days, I'm determined to take in every moment. Between shoving as much Swahili as possible into my brain and eating those last few pieces of sushi before I go, I'm determined to spend time with the people I love, have a few last good times, take lots of pictures, hold onto the memories, make them last me 27 monthes.

So now instead of feeling scared, I'm excited for the chance to make new friends, to explore, to grow. I know this experience is going to push me to the limit and I can't wait to see how far I can go.