[FIRST POST!]
The journey begins... with paperwork! I think I've been immune to the agony and pain that is filling these sheets out. To say the least, I've finished the specific paperwork for UCSD. Now, it's just a matter of making the copies and turning it in. Then, it's more paperwork to follow. Oh, I love it... Only because if it doesn't get done, this journey would ease to exist. Now what's a little pain when there's a huge 6 month reward ahead.
Yet, because this paperwork, as monotonous of a subject as it is, is not yet complete - this whole situation is still evidently surreal. When people ask about it, I never feel like it's actually going to happen. Oh, there's excitement. But there also exist that feeling of a sort of pseudo-reality - because it doesn't actually feel like I'm going to be embarking on this adventure. Nonetheless, that time will come. Once everything is set and all I have to do is get on that plane and leave.
I think about what's in store and can't help to be a bit nervous. Six month not just away from home, but away from EVERYTHING that has ever been familiar to me. That's a huge leap, but I know it's a leap that is worthwhile. As I've experienced in traveling abroad, especially with going to Russia, those gaps are the best bridges to cross. The gaps where everything is new - culturally. It's like this rush of "knowing" that you pull out of it. A deeper perspective, and a deeper understanding of our world.
To say the least, this first entry is the start of many. My ticket is officially booked to go to Greece. The journey has begun to unravel itself and I go in to this expirience with a determination to become, as cliché as it may sound, a better individual. I thank the Lord for opening up these amazing doors of opporutnity. We'll just have to wait and see the crazy things He's got in store!
With Love From San Diego,
Carla
