Packing and Goodbyes

So I got my invitation on the 19th. I wasn't around because I was in DC visiting some of my old friends with Pham. I spent the first night hanging out with Erin and some of her friends around NOVA. At nights my parents told me my invitation arrived and I had Mum open it. Sure enough, as I thought it was Georgia. The next morning Erin made us some pancakes and we took a little walk around. After she went off somewhere else with friends, Pham and I got brunch and drove around for 2 hours looking for Harley's road. Finally I found it and we essentially waited for Harley to get back. We watched an insane amount of college b-ball. Cheered on and celebrated Northern Iowa as they tackled Kansas.

Then we got down with the get down. Don't ask about the rest of the night... good times in h-town.

Pham and I drove home that afternoon and I got a good look at my invitation packet. I was so full of angst and worry, but alas I accepted my invitation a few days later. As my brother Dean says "You've already crossed your Rubicon whether you realize it or not, so 'burn your bridges' and keep moving forward". Good advice.

This weekend I spent with my dad going backpacking in the Pine Barrens. We did a short 6 miles in, 6 miles out. I'm pretty sure this was the same trip I did as my first backpacking trip, but maybe not. It was fun, but VERY cold. I tried to start a fire with flint and steel, and I got really close, but things were pretty damp. Plus all I had were a few water proof matches. We got a fire going but it was soooo needy. All the other campsites complained about it, too. The night was good, but once again, very cold. From what I hear it'll be good practice for Georgia.

My fear about leaving comes and goes. To be honest, two years is a long time right now, but looking back in 15-20 years the two years I spend in Georgia will stand out whether for better or for worse. While if I was home the two years might only blend into the rest of my life. Plus, I have been waiting for my adventure for quite some time. I'm really not ready to settle down anytime soon, and this is soooo much better than substituting.

A little angst is nothing to be worried about. This is going to be at best an amazingly fun experience, and at worst a good learning opportunity.