As the storms roll through St. Charles, Missouri, I finally find some time to sit down and write. I have not had much time lately simply because of all the preparation for my trip to Peru. With the list making, packing, journal writing, re-packing, checking to be sure I did not leave anything behind in Columbia, and then packing again, I have come to know how valuable time is.
Sadly, I had to learn yesterday how time does not stop for anyone. As I finalized my luggage and packed up the last item, I glanced at Amy, knowing I would not have much time left with her before I started my expedition to our southern, neighboring continent. To make the most of the evening, we decided that Shakespeare’s would be the send-off dinner. I ordered our usual pizza, we got our table in the usual area, and enjoyed the usual drink of choice, Dr. Pepper. However, despite all the similarities to every time before, this felt different. This was not just a dinner or a casual evening out. This was a brief goodbye. It meant time apart. It meant not being able to see her bright brown eyes or smooth blonde hair in front of me displaying their beauty and elegance. I knew before and still know now that being away from her is the hardest thing I have had to endure my entire life.
Along with that, time has sneakily passed by since I have been home in St. Charles. Half a day has already passed and I feel like I just arrived here moments ago. I must give some big props to my mother for getting my favorites (Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Chicken Finger Banquet TV Dinners, Cherry Coke, etc.) and making me feel right at home. However, beng at home feels like it actually speeds up time instead of slowing it down. I just realized that in less than 3 days, I would already be in mid-flight to Newark, NJ to connect with my flight to Peru. It seems like not long ago it was mid-April and this trip seemed to be a distant journey, but now as each hour passes the anticipation and reality of the trip begin to converge. The gap between thinking about it and doing it is starting to collapse and favor the latter. I hope that I will be ready when the “doing it” parts starts, but I will not know until it happens.
To prepare myself as best I can before I leave, I have started to use Spanish as much as possible. I have read and replied to my friends’ statuses on Facebook in Spanish as well as counted down the 2 minutes in Spanish that I use to brush my teeth, all in preparation of going to the dentist’s office in less than an hour. I have also written my one page, class journal entry in Spanish. So, I have stared to change languages slowly, but I think slow is better than cutting English cold turkey…I might have trouble doing that.
As departure day grows closer, I will be sure to tell you all how everything is coming along and how I am doing. Both excitement and worry has come over me, but I will use both to get myself ready for this, I hope, entertaining journey.
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