Preparing @ MindSay 
It is not surprising that I have spent all of the summer too excited to even worry about my upcoming trip. But what is interesting is that in the past few days, I have been unable to keep the anxiety from entering every spare moment of thought. The butterflies in my stomach are so consuming that they have taken over even my dreams. For three nights now, I have awoken in horror as I have packed my passport into my checked luggage, not received my room and board information, and even forgotten how to speak French altogether. The feeling I have is comparable to the feeling I had the night before I left for college. I was nervous because I was going to be living in a new place with a new roommate, going to new classes, and making new friends. This trip is going to be much like that except I won’t be able to drive home anytime I miss my family and, oh yeah...no one there will speak my language. I am usually pretty confident in my ability to make friends, as I am an outgoing person who is fond of making jokes. However, it has occurred to me that it will be virtually impossible to be sarcastic or make witty quips in a foreign language with different idioms and inside jokes. We can only hope that they think I’m cute for trying.
As far as packing goes, I have managed to fit my whole life into two red suitcases. I embark on my journey two days from now, and have successfully stowed away every piece of clothing, personal items, a few books, and some pictures. In my carry on bag I will keep my laptop and some magazines, and I am desperately trying to shove a giant stuffed hippo called Hippocampus into my tote as well. My mother has informed me that it is silly to take a stuffed animal with me at nearly 21 years of age, but I can’t sleep without him. He will fit.
I imagine that the next four months are going to be the some of the best of my life. Embarking on this adventure is something I have always planned to do, and now I am fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams. I chose to go to this destination to become totally immersed in the French culture, become proficient in the language, and have one of the most unique experiences that a college student has available to them. In fact the only thing that was not perfect about this trip was that I wouldn’t have anyone to share my newly found loves and incredible memories with, but now I can share them with you through this blog. So get excited about the fall semester! These next four months are going to be the best ever---the crème de la crème!
My mindsay friends,
Still we labor in our efforts to prepare for our move to China. There has been much done, and there is much still to do - Sorting, and packing, and de-stuffing our lives. As well as continuing in the preparation of our paperwork and in planning what we may. Much time has been spent with garage sales and giving stuff away. It is amazing that, even as voluntary simplicists who eschew almost all belongings other than books, we have SO MUCH STUFF. We have grown lax in our vigilance against material goods, or so it seems.
As for here, I haven't much time for blogging at the moment, nor is time foreseen in the near future. I am greatly occupied on many fronts. Little issues and things of Great Importance.
However, I still have an attachment to this community. You are all more than names and faces. As a whole, all of you are missed. Many of you have been in my thoughts and in my conversations. Some of you are missed individually and particularly. DrunkenOso has kept me up to date on what he is able.
I do not know where I am going with this blog, or with this community, as it pertains to my future endeavors and hopes in Life. The future and what it holds is unknown to me. Even moreso now than at any other time. However, I will do my utmost to give to you as I may in the due regard of our community and friendships. I will write some more, and in greater detail, in the next few days.
Peace to All of You.
