If I could blog about all of my emotions, this blog would go on forever. Only 6 weeks remain until I am on the journey of a lifetime to Huancayo, Peru and I couldn't be more excited, nervous, happy, sad, anxious and grateful. Things are finally falling into place and I feel great :]
With this adventure comes a lot of preparation. Doctor's appointments, buying clothes, packing, skype sessions and the craziest thing I have ever done...(finally) (illegally) drinking alcohol. YES, THIS IS CHRISTINE SAYING THIS :] hahaha. It finally happened, after 19 years of being alcohol free, I took my first sip of alcohol last night in the company of great friends. I would have waited until I was 21 like I had always planned and promised myself, but as I have learned this year...things don't always go as planned. I needed to drink for 2 reasons. One, the drinking age in Peru is 18 so I will legally be allowed to drink once I leave in August. But most importantly, in Peru to be offered an alcoholic beverage and decline is extremely rude. I needed to know how my body reacts to alcohol and to know my limits.
The night was fun! I was in the company of 4 amazing friends that have been waiting for this day to come for years :] A toast was made to good friends and my upcoming adventure to Peru to "save the world." Even though I was reluctant about drinking because I hoped to make it until I was 21, I couldn't have had a better night. Megan and Chelsea were late, Lizzy was tired, Ellen was awkward...typical. Even though I was doing something I didn't want to, I realized for the 100th time this summer, I have the greatest friends in the world! After wine, catchphrase, grade school reminiscing, itchy ears, charades, fruit fights and counting my sips of nasty wine...my friends truly made the night! Love you girls :]
Although I am beyond excited, as the day nears I start to get more and more nervous. I've probably thought about every situation that can go wrong and why this is a bad decision. It's incredibly hard to hear all of my friends talking about how excited they are to go back to school when I am not. It's hard to see college friendships being formed that I am not included in. It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about how I am hurting my roommate by not rooming with her, not following my Dad's plan, or sticking to the societal norm. I have to keep reminding myself, as cheesy as it sounds, that this is God's plan. All of the adversity I have faced has made me stronger and being able to volunteer in Peru for 9 months is a dream I have had for the last ten years. Most people wish they accomplished their life long goals and I am getting the opportunity to do just that. Maybe this wasn't my original plan, but this new plan is a pretty damn good one! Thanks God! Hahaha :] Also, volunteering for 9 months in Peru will give me such wonderful perspective on life and the meaning behind the human experience. Even though I will be missing out on the typical college life, I have never been "typical, ordinary or normal". How could I even have a typical college experience when I am so outside the norm? This experience is exactly what I am meant to be doing and can't wait to be learning out of a college classroom for 9 months!
CAN'T WAIT :]
Life is good, wine sucks, I am not normal, I love volunteering, packing is hard and I love my friendsss!
That pretty much sums up everything :]
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