half way there and livin on a prayer.

So, I'm just going to start off by saying blogging is hard; in the way that first year spanish homework is hard. Because lets face it homework that consist of translating the color yellow is pretty elementary ( it's amarillo in case you we're curious or failed your espanglish class). Anyway I think of this blog as first year spanish homework, it's basic and it's simple, the hardest part is pulling it out of my backpack. So, if you've been staring at my blog refreshing the page every ten minutes (which I'm sure you have) then I want you to know I'm writing this blog for you crazy screen staring, page refreshing, people who miss me like crazy (the feeling is mutual by the way).

Staging is coming to a close, orientation is over. I caught my flight, friended some strangers, got a few shots, and heard a few horror stories; one which consisted of a girl sleeping in a hut having a rat the size of a cat fall on her face...yeahhh, about that.

So, far everything is going smoothly. I'm not freaking out, or having an emotional breakdown, I haven't locked myself in the bathroom to cry and devour a bag of peanut butter m&ms so at this point I would say I've passed at least one hurdle/checkpoint/ milestone (not sure which word really works so pick one).

The group of people I'm with is amazing. These people are straight up philanthropy rockstars. They've lived in countries I've never heard of and have eaten foods I didn't even think we're edible,they've chased rats out of huts,and speak languages I've never heard. I love these people but what I love most is knowing that soon, I will be one of those people.

You're probably wondering if I'm nervous, ready and excited and to be honest I don't know and it doesn't really matter because here I am and there I'm going and thats that. There are tons of things I'm looking forward to and tons of things I'm dreading but such is life as I know it and I like to think I manage just fine.

I know that this is going to be the experience of a lifetime, this is going to mold the already existing definition of me and at the end of it i'm going to be the one telling stories of fighting off rats and cliff diving. This is going to make me, break me,lift me,awaken me, pretty much everything short of shake and bake me.

To my friends, my family, my mommy, my sister, my ceeps, I love you and I miss you already. Saying goodbye to you has been one of the hardest things I've ever done, but knowing that everyday I'm gone is a day closer to seeing you makes living in the moment so much easier ( try it, it works).

Write me letters, I promise to return the favor each and every time.
I wont have much internet access for the next few months and after that its about 4 times a month I believe. I'll arrive in Zambia about 5am our time so if you're crazy and awake that early on thursday think of me and know that I am having the biggest holy shit moment of my life, in the best way possible.

Up,up and awayyyy,
J.Obayan