22 hours

So, in 22 hours I leave for Kenya.

Wow.

I cannot decide whether I want to try and knock myself out so I can sleep, or just continue to stay awake soaking in the last moments of night time here in my house.
It would probably be wise to sleep in my pillow-top bed, considering it will be the nicest thing I will ever sleep on for the next 3 and a half months. But I am too excited, and nervous.

So many people have asked me, "so are you ready? are you prepared? are you excited?". And honestly, I am not ready or prepared, and only slightly excited. I don't think anything I could have done would prepare me, or has prepared me, for this. And like any huge life event, my fear of the unknown and unfamiliar is hindering me from bursting with excitement.

This morning I woke up thinking, "Today is my last full day in Canada for over 3 and a half months....what the heck am I thinking? Am I going insane?". I am going to miss Hamilton and Canada so much. I am going to miss my family so much. I am going to miss my friends so much. Maybe I am being too emotional like I usually am, but it is just a really big deal, and something I haven't confronted yet because it hasn't been in my face.

But I don't want to leave Canada on a negative note. I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing, and it is something that I have been thinking of and dreaming about for close to 3 years. Of course I am beyond happy. I am a very blessed young woman to be able to do this, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to do this. Life will certainly be different, but that is what I have wanted for so long - the chance to life live completely differently, so that I can understand what it is like to live in a world that is so unlike what I have been used to for 21 years. I am looking forward to every experience - both good and bad - that will shape me into the kind of person who can do even greater things.

So...farewell family, friends and my beloved Canada. I will write again as soon as I can. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on this wonderful journey.