99 Days

99 days until departure. When I got my invitation, my countdown was 221 days, and that does not seem that long ago. A friend that’s going to Ecuador in January told me that the days seem to go faster after you pass the 100 day mark. I’ve been so eager for the days to pass but when it comes down to it, I’m anxious to leave. I keep telling people, ‘I’m excited to go but sad to leave.’ I imagine the next few months will be very emotional as I wrap things up in the U.S.

My first goodbye was to my job at the nursing home—Halloween was my last day. My coworkers were so kind to get me a going away gift and a cake with the DreamWorks Madagascar characters on it. I teared up when I said my final goodbyes to a few of my coworkers and residents. There was one resident in particular that when I said, “good bye and good luck,” I had a lump in my throat. Then the resident said, “Wait, what’s your name?” Perhaps I’ll remember them more than they remember me. One of my coworkers asked if her Girl Scout troop could ‘adopt’ me. I would write letters and they would follow my adventure and send care packages. We also discussed meeting up before I go so that the troop can get to know me and put a name to a face. I’m very excited!

Now that I’m done working at the nursing home (I’m still teaching dance), I will begin checking things off my to-do list. Bigger things include studying for the GRE, shopping and packing, obtain continuing educations credits (I have 18/30 so far!) and sorting through my possessions getting rid of what I don’t have some sort of sentimental attachment to. However, my to-do list and packing list are constantly growing.

I’m slowly but surely working my way through final medical clearance. I’ve been to three separate doctor appointments so far. The first was to the travel clinic to receive immunizations. I was lucky enough to get four shots-two just below the shoulder and two in the back of the arm. Then, between two appointments, I had a full physical, eye exam, all kinds of lab work completed, and another shot. One test showed that my potassium level was just a little low so I need to eat a bunch of bananas and return to the lab for a retest. Hopefully, I can submit all the medical materials by the end of this week.