Waiting, waiting, waiting......

So this is my first attempt at an actual blog. Here goes! I figured what a better time to do one then when I am about to leave for the Peace Corps. "About" in Peace Corps lingo is a very arbitrary and ambiguous word. For me, about means in four months. From the day I first thought about the Peace Corps (back in high school) to when I began the application process to now, it has been a long, long journey. The application process took me over a year to complete, with lots of waiting - waiting to hear if I was nominated, waiting to hear if I passed the health review, waiting to hear my placement. Now, here I am, sitting in my home in Missoula, Montana, waiting yet again - this time to depart for a two year and three month adventure in Costa Rica - land of the Ticos.

As my time in Missoula comes to a close, I have become incredibly reflective...usually during my daily hikes, atop my favorite mountain (south side of Mt. Sentinel) as the crisp air engulfs me and autumn sun sets over Missoula. I have been in Missoula since 2004, and this place has shaped me. During my time here, so many people have come in and out of my life (being the transitory town it is), and everyone of them has made such a huge impact on me. I have THE best community here. And thinking about leaving is just such a bittersweet feeling. All my experiences and memories that have happened here in Missoula are all wrapped up nice and tight into what is now me. And this is the me that is about to embark on this new adventure. How could it be nothing but bittersweet?

As I look forward to what awaits me, I realize how incredibly lucky I am. I could not have been more fortunate to get placed in my number one region of Latin America. My desire to explore a new area of the world and refine my Spanish language skills will be a reality very soon. Anyway, enough sappiness.

Many adventures lie ahead, so this blog is my attempt to keep you tuned. Realistically, I probably won't write another post until the time nears - February or March. And after that, things will get more exciting.

Until next time....more waiting.