Two weeks and counting

On Sunday, I officially received my diploma. And now here I am, four days later, back home in Minnesota staring into the face of the time ahead while trying desperately to turn around and keep looking at what is now behind me. I don't like goodbyes and am not particularly good at them, so I was surprised by how smoothly they all went during the last week. That is until this afternoon when the true significance of my college days being done and being out of the country for a year hit me full force. I feel as though all of my lifelines have been cut and I am free falling into some sort of doom.

Of course, I know this isn't true. I'm not falling, lifelines are intact, they're just a bit longer than they used to be so I have to have faith that there's something on the other end of them. That's fine. I can do that.

The next couple of weeks will be spent gathering supplies and munitions for Mali. Computer, recorder, visa--check. Other things pending. I will eventually be faced with the hardest packing dilemma for me, being how many and which books can I bring.

To all of you in LA, thanks for the good times. I will miss you all terribly, but you better believe I will back with a vengeance in a year to keep rocking.

T - 2 weeks to Pangolin town.