Right before embarking
I have left my home. For a whole year.
And frankly, that is quite terrifying to me. I’ve gone through a whole bunch of emotions over the last few days, ranging from excited, to terrified, to just really stressed out. I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to before I left, I have an incomplete in a class at Stanford that expires next week, which means I’m just going to fail the class, and there are so many people that I wanted to see that I didn’t get to see (my apologies specifically to, but not exclusively David Z, Connie and Isa and Sarah, Nick D., Elyse, Kevin and Julie, Sarrah, Kit and Kathrine and Christina O). I’m still freaking out about all these things, even though I am now on my way and there is nothing I can do about them.
But I’m scared. I’m scared this will be too hard and I will give up. I’m scared I will miss home too much. I’m scared my drawmates’ lives and relationships with each other will move forward without me. And so, as a defense, I brought the most comforting things I could think of: Harry Potter audiobooks, dried cranberries, milk (unfortunately it’s powdered, but it’s the best I can do), and my stuffed bear. I wasn’t going to bring him because I get so worried that something bad will happen to him, but it became clear in the last few days that I’m going to need his moral support. And yes, you are allowed to laugh at both that sentiment and my list.
However, I have gotten such an outpouring of love and encouragement in the last few days, which has helped, and I genuinely am very, very excited. Soon Ashley and I will be together, we will get to know our new home, and we will get to show off our terrible Swahili (Sam, please don’t be mad at us that it’s so bad!).
So here I am, on my way to see Ashley and begin this whole crazy journey. From now on you’ll be hearing the details of our lives instead of just mine. We’ll be just like this story (and yes, that was a plug for a comedy piece by my friend Josh.) It will be scintillating. I promise.
One last note: LOOK AT OUR PLANT!
You guys, our supporters, friends, and family, have been amazing! In just a week you’ve brought us from an itty-bitty seedling (okay, okay, the first picture really is just a stump) to a growing plant. We’ve raised about $7,500 at last count, which brings us almost halfway to our goal. I am incredibly grateful for all your support.
Also, if you want to help us out a bit more without giving us more money: tell your friends about us! Link to this blog on facebook, post about us on twitter, let people know how amazing you think we are (errr…we hope you think that) and that you think we are two people and a project worth investing in.
Next time: In Tanzania!
Life as a Jamie 