Oh, the things I will miss. And not miss. (In case you care).

With T minus six weeks before departure, I've begun to think of things I imagine I will miss, and not miss while in Costa Rica. Here is the very, very beginnings of a long, long list. I'm sure I will add things daily as they come to mind, but for now, here's a few (in case you care):

1. Seasons!

2. Scarves (but don't doubt I won't bring my fair share)!

3. Snowshoeing

4. Big furry winter boots

5. Wearing sweaters (okay, clearly, I like winter).

6. Friends/Family (obviously)

7. Hot showers
8. Mt. Sentinel and Pattee Canyon (missoula)
9. Everything else Missoula: biking everywhere, Kettlehouse, The Wilma, potlucks, seeing someone you know everywhere you go, Break Espresso, the inversion, the mountains, Clark Fork Farmers market, etc, etc.....
10. The view of Longs Peak from Macintosh Lake in my hometown of Longmont, Colorado
11. Cooking like mad
12. The imperial system of measurement (oh, how we get stuck in our ways)
13. Baths

Annnnnnd......

Things I will not miss, because you bet I will be bringing them:

1. My favorite, can't-live-without pair of cowboy boots OR one pair of non-peace corps-y shoes.

2. An eyelash curler (Uh-huh)

3. My polaroid camera
4. A yoga mat (albeit, a travel one) and therabands

That's all for now folks.

Proud to be an American? Fiiiiiiiiinally.

This victory is monumental - it is going to change the way other countries see America, and create new ground for much needed change within our country. As a future Peace Corps volunteer, it is important to be able to stand by your government, and now I can. Now I will enter the Peace Corps with confidence in what I will be doing. Finally, I am more than just a U.S. citizen. I am proud to be American. Happy New President!

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.