Did you know the acronym PDF stands for package definition file ? Or peritoneal dialysis fluid, pretty damn funky, people's defense forces. I could on ! Well trying to be hip ( I live in Wellington after all) I'm adding my own acronym to the list - pre-departure feelings.
Pre-departure feelings for leaving to study abroad for ten months, a feeling that's had to summarize in an understandable way. It's like being on rollercoaster, not going up and down physically but all over the place emotionally. One moment you're slowly ascending the tracks, unbelievably-uncontrollably happy - America, land of the free wooo. Next moment you're carriage is plunging downwards, and fast with no end in sight - I'm leaving everything and everyone I know ! For a year ! To America !
During my interview for the study abroad program I was asked what I was going to miss. Naive, happy-go-lucky-me answered "Oh, my family I guess, maybe the weather". I guess ! I know I'm going to miss my family like my dog Oscar when we leave him at the kennels, crying and whimpering into his mattress, and I haven't even left yet.
And the weather ? Well, it's nine degrees and raining in Wellington versus 60% humidity and sunny in Pennsylvania. It's not a big thing.
Pre-departure feelings for leaving to study abroad for ten months, a feeling that's had to summarize in an understandable way. It's like being on rollercoaster, not going up and down physically but all over the place emotionally. One moment you're slowly ascending the tracks, unbelievably-uncontrollably happy - America, land of the free wooo. Next moment you're carriage is plunging downwards, and fast with no end in sight - I'm leaving everything and everyone I know ! For a year ! To America !
During my interview for the study abroad program I was asked what I was going to miss. Naive, happy-go-lucky-me answered "Oh, my family I guess, maybe the weather". I guess ! I know I'm going to miss my family like my dog Oscar when we leave him at the kennels, crying and whimpering into his mattress, and I haven't even left yet.
And the weather ? Well, it's nine degrees and raining in Wellington versus 60% humidity and sunny in Pennsylvania. It's not a big thing.
The scariest part of leaving is having no idea what the next ten months of my life are going to be like. Penn State could be horrible. It could be incredible. I might fall in love with American football, become a cheerleader, take up golf, become religious. You get the point, literally anything could happen. The only thing I know for sure is it's not going to be the same as my day-to-day Wellington student life.
Maybe this is my first challenge as an exchange student - moving past this fear, living in the moment and appreciating the family & friends cheering me along the journey.
Now I will sign off and take my own words to heart by getting off my laptop and into the kitchen to drink coffee with my Dad.
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| Another pic of me ! |
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