Right now it's 2:30pm and I am waiting at work basically for something to do from my bosses. As they are busy with 'more important things' I decided to make my daily stop at the Greenville In Africa page to see if it had been updated recently...it had. Just so happens that the students are flying out of Jo-burg at this very moment (it's 9:30pm there). They have boarded that plane with all of there over-stuffed carry-ons, said goodbye to the wonderful people that have become friends, eaten their last African meal, sat quietly beside for the Indian Ocean for possibly the last time...I am sad. I feel as if I am there with them because I remember, like it was yesterday, the flood of emotions that is overtaking them as their plane lifts off the ground. I ache. If it wasn't for the fact that I am at work, I would cry.
I also understand the lonely road that is ahead of them as they re-enter 'reality' for the first time in 4 months. While they have been changed in a thousand amazing ways, the world here has basically remained the same. The lives of their friends and family have continued probably very much the way they always have. Few people will really care to talk with them about their experiences past wanting to see pictures, and ask them stupid questions like, "Did you see any lions?" or, "What was the grossest thing you had to eat?" No one thinks to ask the important questions, the ones you are most passionate about. I hurt knowing that this is the road that they will be on for many months to come.

8.8 unchanged

You know, when you are aware that certain people are reading your blog you are much more conscious of what you are writing. Talk about pressure.

A quick update: Since I last wrote I have had my tonsils and wisdom teeth removed...yes even pansies can make it through minor operations; I turned 22...no comments there; and finally, everything is completed where the Peace Corps is concerned, and all of my paperwork should be mailed out tomorrow. This whole situation is sort of bittersweet in that joining the PC has been a goal of mine for quite some time. I am thrilled to be near the end of reaching this goal, and yet I wonder if sometimes goals change mid-stride. I know that I have to go.....if I didn't, I would always wonder about those missed experiences and opportunities. I just never planned on this being as difficult as I am now anticipating.

A couple days ago I discovered that Disney's The Lion King (the musical) is coming to Columbus in June. Immediately I was trying to find out all the details about where, when, and how much this experience would cost me because I am determined to go. I tried to see the show in both London and NY, but at the time the shows were either sold out or would have cost me my soul. Well I mentioned to the parents how much I would love to go but that with the whole PC thing, I had no idea if I would be around during the shows month-long run. Just so happens when I woke up this morning and sat down to check my e-mail, I was surprised to find the theater seating chart pulled up on the computer screen. You know what this means....they are actually checking into tickets!!! This is one of those times where 'it's the thought that counts.' I just wish I had the PC thing all settled because then I feel like I could make plans for the rest of my time here...like going or not going to see the Lion King.