I fly away... September 9th

As I fall deeper into the whirlwind of preparations for Colombia there is one nostalgic song that plays on repeat in my mind, it is a terrible soundtrack. It takes me back to my teeny bopper days of the late 90's to the pop boy band group N*SYNC. For some reason unannounced to me I cannot stop the "catchy lyrics" from playing on repeat, they a go little something like this '...here we go one more time, everybody's feeling fine now. Yes, yes, yes here we go now." (It does make me smile as it transports me into the memories of the younger years of my exquisite youth)

The ironic thing happens to be I do not think 'everybody's feeling fine now'. Many people have expressed their strong feelings about their views on Colombia AND their even stronger views on Audra Marie Krislock, age 23, living in Colombia for one year. These thoughts include but are not limited to the simple fact that there is probably no reason that I would ever need to step foot outside my apartment in Bogota. Not even for a breath of fresh air because that was the entire logic behind the invention of windows. Now I am being a little dramatic and although I do understand this fear and know there is validity to it, it saddens me a little and I'm not exactly how to explain. It might be that I hope that others will feel the same sense of calming peace that I do about my soon to be adventure. But then again God did make all of us humans quite different, so my goal for the year: bask in the worlds inhomogeneity.

Thinking about the wide variety of peoples reactions has caused a realization to strike me. It is the appreciation and love I have for challenge. Challenge causes growth and if something stops growing it dies. This love of challenge/growth is not a feeling everyone gets as excited about, or actively pursues. The number of you who have expressed some concern but intertwined it with such kind words, support and love is very much out weighed by the latter.

And a quick logistical update... struggling to get everything in line before September 9th has made for quite a full plate tacked on with a huge side dish of some big 'life lessons' mostly in the areas of my patience and faith. I have been trying to invest my faith consciously in many positive thoughts and prayers such as: everything with the visa will come through, they will let me into the country without too heavy of an interrogation, and I will have raised enough money before my departure. Aside from those three minor details, I sleep very well at night.

Summer flies

I am getting a little more nervous and excited as September nears and summer flies by. I cannot believe that September comes after August, it seems to be ridiculously soon. I tried watching a Colombian movie a few nights ago, trying to prepare myself and oh boy, I have a ton of catching up to do... I had to put on English subtitles. I have decided to trust in the fact of what everyone is saying about how all my Spanish will come rushing back once I am there.

Update on Colombia... I recently found out I will be living with a host family for the first three months in Bogotá until another YASCer, Laura-Catherine, arrives in January, when we will move together into an apartment. This will be neat, I think I am getting the best of both worlds, a family experience and independence.

First Attempt

This is the first time ever in my entire life I have attempted 'blogging'. I have heard rumors from many others who have traveled far and wide across the world that it is the easiest way to share with others the work I will be doing in Colombia. I will try my hardest to keep this updated with my adventures while abroad, while trying not to overwhelm you with too much text. Photos will be coming soon, so stay tuned and stay in touch!