Good-Bye for Now

Saying goodbye has never been a strong point, but I guess that would be a bad thing if you were good at it. Although, I have had a lot of practice. Mom said it seems as if we keep having goodbye parties and hello parties for me, I'm always in transition. Somehow, I still think its easier for me to say goodbye to all of you...so props!!

Thanks to my Walgreens buddies for throwing me...and some others, but really just me ;)...a fantastic party. Its always easier to say adieu when alcohol is involved...haha. I really will miss you guys!

Thanks to my Whitecaps crew for putting up with my blondeness the past few weeks. It was so strange...haha.

Last night I had a great barbecue with the family. I love all of my little (and the not-so-little) cousins to death and don't know what my life would be without them. I got lots of hugs, the ones I cherish the most were from the most unexpected sources.

So far the hardest goodbyes have been my little Italian girls. I have had a blast the past few months teaching my girls English. Priscilla is eight and I have worked with her longer that I have worked with her sister Patrizia, who is six. Both of the girls are absolutely adorable and I have looked forward to spending time each week to work with them. Today was my last day tutoring them and I usually spend an hour or so alone with each girl, but today I took both of them together. They spent the hours fighting for my attention. Priscilla needed me to find her repeat subtraction problems so she didn’t have to do each problem in her head, and Patrizia needed my help deciphering Curious George :). After finishing the “homework” we looked through my travel guide on Romania. It is really something to take a look at a new culture through the eyes of a child. Priscilla found the little dictionary at the back of the book and kept reciting new phrases to me. I couldn’t help but giggle listening to her read me Romanian phrases in her Italian accent…precious.

Well tomorrow is the big day. I made sure to pack some extra Kleenex in the carry-on...but its exciting too! Here's the itinerary for the next few days, I wouldn't want Grams to have to start praying for a safe flight a day early or anything...haha.

Tuesday, May 18th
10:25 Depart Grand Rapids to Chicago
10:20 Arrive at Chicago O'Hare...meet up with my new Peace Corps buddies and find our way to the hotel.
12:30-Basically the rest of the day: Staging stuff

Wednesday, May 19th
10:30 am Check-out of the hotel
3:40 pm Flight leaves Chicago O'Hare

Thursday, May 20th
6:50 am Flight arrives in Frankfurt, Germany
10:30 am Flight leaves Frankfurt, Germany
1:45 pm Flight arrives in Bucharest, Romania

Once again, thanks for all your help and support during the past few weeks!!! Without all of you I probably wouldn't be nearly as prepared, emotionally or physically, as I am. I love you all and I'll see you in August 2012!!!