Family Cruise

We just got back from our week long family cruise in Alaska. It was awesome. It is so gorgeous over there. But even if it wasn't, it wouldn't have mattered. Because my favorite parts of the trip weren't the glaciers, or the hybrid husky, the beautiful hikes or the gold panning. It was the memories we made together. And the time spent. Even though I kept losing, I had more fun playing hearts and rumikuub and catch phrase with the most important people in my life than I did doing anything else.

My family =)

Yea so we're a little crazy. And just to prove that we really were there...

Me and Abu-man finally got to have our coffee talk. I really love our coffee talks. I didn't always. They used to seem more like lectures to me. Abu telling me what was wrong with me. But I think as I've grown as a person and as our relationship has grown and we've gotten closer, that's changed. Now it's more like going to have coffee with a friend and talking about life. It's a discussion instead of a one sided conversation.

Through this conversation and similar emails and discussions with close friends, I think I've let go of the mentality of dwelling over what I'll be missing out on over here and can concentrate on what I'm going to gain through the Peace Corps instead. The reason I am doing this in the first place. The obvious reason being because I want to help and make a difference. But also because I want what every RPCV I've ever spoken to has. That glow in their face when they talk about their experience. The stories, memories, friends. The conviction with which they say they wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I truly believe (and hope) that is going to be the case for me.

Right now, I'm ready to leave. I'm ready to start a new phase in my life. I want to move on. And I can't wait =)