It's been extremely difficult to finally sit down and put all of my pre-travel thoughts on paper. I'm sure you all can relate, as to a time when so many things were running through your head - it was hard to wrap you're mind around it all and then put it in writing. I'm at that point right now, but here it goes...
On the eve before the eve of my trip, I am overwhelmed with a sense of excitement, yet with every bit of excitement comes a healthy dose of worry. I've already battled my morning migraine over my anxiousness and now am ready to tackle the rest of my pre-travel planning. I worry about silly things like if I have packed enough socks, if I have the right mix of dressy and casual clothes, if my mascara is going to run out while on the trip, if one pair of boots will suffice, if my suitcase will be over 50 lbs (last time I checked it was at 70 lbs. AHHH!). I also worry about my two girls while I am gone. I worry if my husband will at least brush their hair once a day, if their clothes will be mismatched for school, if someone will pet the animals enough, if my little girls will miss me and if what if they don't. I know all of these things are frivolous and fleeting, and all not important in the bigger scheme of what lies ahead.
Additionally, with all of this comes a huge sense of thankfulness, of the countless blessings that I have been given. I am truly thankful for the support and well wishes I have encountered before my trip. I am grateful to be a daughter, a mother, a wife, a teacher, a friend, and a community member of Stow. In all of these roles, I feel I have a different type of experience to share when I return. I hope to be able to share the wonderment of the world with my own children and students, showing them a first-hand experience with a culture and people from the other side of the globe. I also hope to show them the value of stepping out of their comfort zone, allowing for a greater sense of their being and expanding their thoughts of the world. I would also like to be able to show my community that Stow is only one small dot on the globe of life, yet can be so impactful when making connections with others from far away lands - how we can all share our similarities and embrace our differences. I am wonderfully blessed to have this opportunity. I look forward to the lifelong friendships and connections I will make with the TGC teachers, my travel partner, and our hosts in Krasnoyarsk, and everyone else we will meet along the way
On the eve before the eve of my trip, I am overwhelmed with a sense of excitement, yet with every bit of excitement comes a healthy dose of worry. I've already battled my morning migraine over my anxiousness and now am ready to tackle the rest of my pre-travel planning. I worry about silly things like if I have packed enough socks, if I have the right mix of dressy and casual clothes, if my mascara is going to run out while on the trip, if one pair of boots will suffice, if my suitcase will be over 50 lbs (last time I checked it was at 70 lbs. AHHH!). I also worry about my two girls while I am gone. I worry if my husband will at least brush their hair once a day, if their clothes will be mismatched for school, if someone will pet the animals enough, if my little girls will miss me and if what if they don't. I know all of these things are frivolous and fleeting, and all not important in the bigger scheme of what lies ahead.
Additionally, with all of this comes a huge sense of thankfulness, of the countless blessings that I have been given. I am truly thankful for the support and well wishes I have encountered before my trip. I am grateful to be a daughter, a mother, a wife, a teacher, a friend, and a community member of Stow. In all of these roles, I feel I have a different type of experience to share when I return. I hope to be able to share the wonderment of the world with my own children and students, showing them a first-hand experience with a culture and people from the other side of the globe. I also hope to show them the value of stepping out of their comfort zone, allowing for a greater sense of their being and expanding their thoughts of the world. I would also like to be able to show my community that Stow is only one small dot on the globe of life, yet can be so impactful when making connections with others from far away lands - how we can all share our similarities and embrace our differences. I am wonderfully blessed to have this opportunity. I look forward to the lifelong friendships and connections I will make with the TGC teachers, my travel partner, and our hosts in Krasnoyarsk, and everyone else we will meet along the way
A cookie cake from my co-teacher and students. They're the best!