Goodbyes

8:25 AM

Sitting at the McDonalds in the Denver airport after a six A.M. flight out of Boise. Needless to say I didn’t sleep much last night and although I am tired, my stomach is queasy from nerves. My mind is filled with thoughts of all the goodbyes and well wishes I received yesterday and throughout the week. Saying goodbye is hard; so many words unspoken and feelings unshared. When you are always around a friend or family member, you don’t have to worry to about saying all the things you feel and think because you are content to be in their presence and enjoy their company. But then, when you separate, it suddenly becomes important for you portray just how meaningful this person is to you even though you may not have the words to do so. That’s how I have been feeling this past week; it has been hard for me to verbalize the deep feelings I have for all my friends and family who have been so good to me throughout my life.

Still in Boise

Finally! Setting up this blog has been on my list of things to do for the past month and now it can be crossed off the quickly shrinking list of things to do before I depart.
I have never had a blog before (I can't even keep a private journal) so this is definitely going to be a constant work in progress. But, I also think its going to be very good way for me to record my thoughts and experiences since I know others are counting on me to keep them updated.
As of now, my bags are not packed, though I think I have most everything I will be taking in my possession. I leave July 1st for Philadelphia to meet up with the rest of the Health Volunteers going to Malawi and then we fly to the capital, Lilongwe, on July 2nd.
After so much time thinking about and planning for something I still don't know much about, I am ready to get there and begin my work and life in Africa.
My address for the next two months will be: Chloe Ross, PCV
Peace Corps/Malawi
Box 208
Lilongwe
Malawi
Send me stuff if you can and know that it is predicted to take around four weeks to send and receive mail.
More later....