Tee Minus Three...

Hu Jambo!  Well, three more days and I'll be starting my journey to Kenya.  It is so surreal that I'm going to be gone for over a year.  I keep saying 'see ya later' to people, but it really hasn't hit me yet that I'm leaving.  I'm sure that when I get to the airport everything will start hitting me (especially when my mom starts to cry) and I'll start bawling.  Then, shortly following an episode of sheer panic and a probable pat-down of this suspicious-looking passenger, I'll pull myself up by my boot straps and carry on.  A friend recently gave me a card that I feel deserves to be shared here.  It described a fierce wind pummeling an oak tree attempting to make it tumble over, tearing leaves and bark and branches from it; but to no avail.  The strong wind ashamed of it's futile attempts asks the oak why it hasn't fallen, to which the oak replies that it is because of its strong roots buried deeply underground that were nurtured along the way of its life that make the oak so unyielding.  This card really spoke to me because I have been shown so much love and support from all my family and friends throughout my life--but especially in the last few months--that has nurtured my walk with Christ.  Because of this, I know that my spirit cannot be broken no matter what little mishaps (or gigantic winds) come my way.  Thank you so much everyone for your prayers and support.  They do not go unacknowledged.  So, that being said, I will make it through airport security without being pulled aside and interrogated in a small dark room for causing a seen.

Since there are only three days left until my departure, I have just begun to pack my bag.  Now I know what you're thinking: HOLY MOLEY SHE'S JUST STARTING TO PACK NOW?!  However, I have to say that I am impressed with myself for starting the packing now, because anyone who knew my habits in college (leaving the majority of my 40 page synthesis paper unfinished until the night before it was due), knows that normally I would start this "I'd-rather-poke-my-eye-with-a-dull-spoon-fifteen-times-than-do-this" task the night before, or worse the day of my flight.  This is a very tedious process that takes a certain amount of planning in order to accomplish because I am only allowed to take ONE 44 lbs bag (62 inches lenghth+width+height) on my flight from Nairobi to Kisumu and instead of shipping a second bag with the risk of it never reaching me, I'm hoping that I can fit my life for a year in that measly 44 pound bag.  Of course, I am a woman and more importantly my mother's child, so I like to pack for the "what ifs".  What if I get caught in a rainstorm in my last pair of underwear? Well, better pack 15 more pairs, just in case.  What if I run out of soap and I can't find any??  (can't find soap, really?!)  I better pack 10 more bars, just in case.  What if our sink stops working?  Better pack the spare sink...mmmhhmmm...sure Natalie.  Typically, I over pack for a week long trip (14 t-shirts, 5 dress shirts, 5 pairs of pants, etc. just in case and a boat load of shoes), so you can imagine the difficulty of fitting a years worth of clothing and miscellaneous garb in the space provided.  It gets a little overwhelming and I have to admit that I tend to take extensive 'smoke' breaks (hence, why I'm writing such a lengthy novel here).

My roommate, Patricia has kindly sent me 5 wonderfully awesome pictures of our abode (my favorite being the one of the flush-able toilet), so I will try to figure out how to post those on here.  She has also informed me that the day after I get there, the nursing school is having there graduation, which is a huge celebration complete with dancing (so for those of you who wanted me to learn a tribal dance, this may happen quicker than I previously anticipated).  Anywho, I suppose my break is up, so it's back to work for me.