Welp. Today marks one whole week before I head off to the big unknown, that is, Antigua, Guatemala for 7 weeks of language school. I can't believe my time to leave has come so quickly! The thing is that I am no stranger to the whole, "time flies when you're having fun," but I'm never any less surprised when it actually occurs and I'm left wishing I could savor every last moment just a little bit longer. Yes, it's sad that my time in the States is temporarily coming to an end, but I'm so blessed for the time I've been able to share with such amazing people in the last few months. This summer has definitely been one to remember full of traveling, good food, and lots of time with family and friends. I've expressed to a few that I feel like it's my last summer of freedom (let's hope it's just a myth)! But even after traveling up and down the east coast, a quick flight to the midwest, a 50th Slattery reunion, and the birth of my newest nephew, I have to admit that I feel like I'm a little unprepared.
It may just be me, but I swear even after all this preparing my class and I have done for this trip, it seems like I still have so much left to do back home. My room is a mess, I have at least 3 DIY projects I'm trying to finish, I can't seem to explain to my phone company that I'm leaving the country and will no longer be needing their service, I think I want to sell my car, there are too many people I want to see before leaving, the list goes on. I should probably be more stressed about all of this, but somehow, I'm not. To have so much to do with so little time to do it is a pretty regular phenomenon for me, though I would appreciate the peace of mind of knowing that at least my suitcase has been packed. Oh well. I'll get it done. Maybe just shoot me a message if you think there is something major I'm completely neglecting.
Pretty soon this will be my main (and maybe my only) form of communication, so I hope everyone has figured out how to get to this blog (though if you didn't you wouldn't be reading this right now anyway so that point I guess is moot). I want to take this opportunity to just thank everyone who has been a part of my life in some form or another. So, thank you. Thank you to my family for their unwavering love, their support (however reluctant ;)), and ridiculous shenanigans. I'll definitely miss you all the most. Thank you also to my friends for the good times, crazy adventures, frequent note giving, food dates, singing exploits, chronic sarcasm, and the many, many laughs. Each one of you hold a special place in my heart, and I am truly thankful to have had you enter my life when you did (sounds a bit insincere in this blog post, but I promise the words are true!). Thank you to my many teachers over the years. If I wasn't scared enough of managing a classroom full of crazy students, keeping in mind my own reckless nature within the same environment, now I have to do it in Spanish! Thankfully, I have had numerous role models to help with this dilemma and inspire me to teach my students as best I can while instilling in them a love of learning and encouraging to reach every bit of their potential. Finally, thank you especially to those who have supported me in this mission. I am truly humbled by the generosity and many prayers being poured out on this mission. They are so graciously received not only by me but the kiddos and the Finca community.
I am so eager to get started on this adventure, and I hope you all are, too. Though we will be miles apart, you can follow along on this journey (via the blog YEAH!), and I really encourage you to do so. It may just make the distance seem a little less distant.
Until next time!
Ryan
