A new beginning

Hey all, that's right--I'm getting ready to leave for Paraguay. In another short 2 days I will be climbing to 30,000 feet of uncertainty, so-called adventure, and new experiences. I still highly doubt that I am really ready to face living in Paraguay for 10 months, but time stops for no traveler, and in all honesty, who would really do things any differently? I was scared that this time around wouldn't be enough time for me to get into any literature, finish the articles I've been working on with Dr. Williams, get all the paperwork filed and approved, plan out the research schedule and community involvement, catch up with friends and say goodbye at the same time, take the GRE, prepare grad school applications, and buy all the new stuff I would need to lug with me on the 6000 mile journey to South America. But, in the end, that is exactly what I did, and more. I have been really blessed to have had time to play with my puppy, sleep in a few mornings, send love packages to my friends in Santa Maria Visitacion, attend a good friend's wedding and reception, go on a couple blind dates, make a new friend, catch up with old friends, read two books and delve into 6 more, attend a Spanish Branch, and babysit my adorable nieces and nephews. It's been a busy 6 weeks but really exciting and a great transition from full-time facilitator and researcher to graduated anthropologist and into Fulbright fellow. I trust in the Lord that things are coming into place because He wants me to have success in Paraguay and He'll accompany me along the way. I hope that anyone interested in reading will also accompany me and share the experience with me. Thanks for all your support!