T-minus 2 Days!

Well, the time has almost come! I can't believe I have been thinking about leaving for so long now, and it is finally upon me. This time, two days from now, I will be hanging out in the Miami airport with other WT volunteers! Unbelievable. It's hard to even describe how I'm feeling right now...it's sort of just a feeling of submission to the passing time. I know Sunday will come before I know it, so I just need to enjoy my last hours at home. I hate goodbyes as well, but I know that this is the right thing for me to be doing, so I just have to put a smile on and have faith that everything will turn out for the best. I think the excitement will really kick in on Sunday when I've met with the other volunteers and the adventure will really feel like it's beginning.

I am really looking forward to my grandma's 90th birthday tomorrow! That will be a wonderful way to say farewell to the family. I still have to pack, but I have everything on my list and it's just a matter or sticking it all in my bags- I'm taking a rolling suitcase, a huge duffel bag, and a hiking backpack. Hopefully I will be able to fit my year's worth of stuff in them! We shall see. I will probably pack tonight so that I don't have to worry about it tomorrow.

I also have recently received my two host family assignments! I will be rooming with another one of the volunteers, Shelby, in Quito, with two older women and a 34-year-old man. The main host mother, Juana Livia, is reported to be a wonderful cook and she sounds really sweet, so it should be nice! It will be great to have Shelby as company, and to walk to and from home with her as well. Last night I finally received my province host family...I will be living with a married couple and their 3 sons, though the sons only visit on the weekends since two study/work in Quito and the other is married. They are 22, 24, and 26 years old, so it should be really fun to get to know them! My host parents are both high school teachers in Ambato...and here is the best thing, their downstairs is an internet cafe!! Coffee and high speed internet within a few steps of my bedroom, what could be better?! And Eden, one of the other volunteers, will be living 6 blocks from me and our families are good friends, so I'm sure we'll all be getting together from time to time.

I know I will be running around like a crazy woman over the next few days, so this will be my last post before I get to Ecuador. Here is my schedule for the next few days: I will be staying in a hotel in Quito on Sunday night after arrival, training begins Monday, and I stay with my Quito host family for the first time on Monday night. I will post an update on Tuesday or Wednesday when I have interesting things to report. So until Ecuador, adios!

Is this really happening? Crazy.

Love,
Katie