Departure Day!

7:48 a.m.

Plane leaves at 6:50 p.m. I am taking a time out from reading the On-Site Guide to Kenya that the U gave us participants adn am wishing I would've read that about a week ago. This packet just added about 5 more things to my shopping list and a good half hour of more packing. Procrastination at its finest.

I thought when I woke up this morning, I would feel like I'm actually leaving, I don't. Not even the slightest part of me feels like in 40 hours I'll be stepping off of an airplane in Kenya. I am not prepared!

Still packing, still shopping for things to pack, and still looking at the 30 hrs of reading I must complete before arrival as an afterthought.

I received an email from one of the MSID (Minnesota School of International Development) staff confirming that she will be meeting me at the airport. That's one weight lifted. I will then be whisked away to the orientation, which will begin when the other students get there, approximately 4 hrs after me on the gorup flight. I'm secretly wishing there are other individuals who flew independently that will arrive before I do. Being the first, waiting anxiously for the others does not sound like the optimal way to start off in a foreign country.

Thank goodness for Sam. She is a co-worker of Eric's, who was also involved in STLF, the student organization turned non-profit I've been involved in for the past several years. She is doing the MSID program in Kenya for the academic year, a much braver soul than I. It will be fantastic to see a familiar face shortly after arrival.

Okay, back to packing,

I plan to use this blog as a way to keep family, friends, and other interested parties updated on my travels, experiences, lessons learned, etc. I imagine I will update it often, or as often as internet is available.


Cheers!