I've Just Begun

 

Before the risin' sun, we fly

 

So many roads to choose

 

We'll start out walkin' and learn to run

Salt Lake airport @ 7 a.m.

And yes, I've just begun.  

I did it. I packed away my room, stuffed my bags, said my goodbyes*, and boarded the plane that would take me across the world. Currently I'm sitting in the JFK airport, my half-eaten turkey wrap to the right, along with all my luggage, and a group of my peers to the left playing Catchphrase. Scattered throughout the terminal is a variety of travelers: a young Jewish family, two elderly couples, and a lot of lone passengers. It's an understatement to say I'm feeling a lot of different emotions all at once. I'm scared because I don't know exactly what to expect. I'm sad because I'm leaving people and places I love. I'm nervous because I don't know anybody. I'm excited because I'm taking a step into the unknown, yet I'm also calm because I know I'm doing a good thing. As I boarded the plane this morning, I caught myself looking around at all the unfamiliar faces, crammed airplane seats, and stacked luggage and asking myself, "What the heck am I doing?" It was like I had realized there really is no turning back at this point. I felt trapped, even claustrophobic. I considered jumping out of the plane and calling it quits. Luckily the thought left as quickly as it came. I started answering my own question in order to soothe the nerves. What the heck am I doing? Well, I've started an adventure. I'm going to a place I've never been before, I'm going to invest in people I've never met, and I'm going to do all that I can to open my heart and mind to whatever learning experiences await me. 

I sound trite, I know. But it's the truth. I really don't have any clue what to expect from the next four months. I only hope the future holds good things.  

That's right folks...I've just begun. 

All travel plans have gone smoothly thus far. No delays, just a slight check-in glitch (my suitcase came to a grand total of 67 pounds. Yep, that's 17 pounds too many. I have no idea how it got so heavy...). I will miss those 150 bucks. 

*A big thanks to Candace for answering my frantic phonecall at 5:45 this morning asking for a ride to the airport.