Micronesia....5 days left

I leave everything I know in 5 days. The popular question is how am I feeling....well, I wish I knew. Yes, part of me is super excited. I am excited to meet and get to know the people I'm going to be living with and sharing the next few years with. I am so nervous to meet them and I'm sure in two years I'll laugh about that and have some wonderful new people as a large part of my life. I am also excited to see what life will be like in Micronesia and meet people in Micronesia. I can't wait to have so many questions answered and get settled...

On the other hand...GOODBYES SUCK SUCK SUCK!!! I've said goodbye to people in El Salvador and Nicaragua and that was never easy, and I've said goodbye for short terms to go to those countries...non of which were easy, but this might just be my hardest goodbye. As much as i know I want to do JVI, I also regret it at times this week as I see what is does to my mom and other wonderful people in my life, and question who will still be here when i get back.

People have asked me though if I can back out, and I'm sure I could, but I wont. I'm in, I'm there, I'm invested, and I'll be a much better person when i get back. So in that way....lets get me settled and started.


Logistics of what I'm doing:

-Volunteering for 2 years with Jesuit Volunteers International (Corps)
-Teaching high school at Saramen Chuuk Academy (subjects still unknown) in the Federated States of Micronesia.
-Living with 2 other women and 2 other men in community.
-I should not be returning until summer of 2011.
-There are 4 other volunteers in another location on the island and 4 more on another island in Micronesia.
-I did not know any of the people leaving with me this year before applying.
-I do know one girl from SLU who is living on the island that is currently there but lives in the other community.
-I chose the program (JVI) not the location.
-ummm, Micronesia is an island nation in the pacific island
-Classroom/official language is English, native language is Chukese.
-I do not speak a lick of Chukese.
-I leave July 18th from home to go to Cleavland, OH for a two week orientation and straight from there on Aug. 3 to Micronesia.
-I leave 6am from OH and arrive in FSM (Federated States of Micronesia) 10am Aug. 5th in Micronesia.

Ask questions and I'll respond but I don't know much more.

I'll miss you all! Thanks for all of the love and support!!!