A Quick Hello...

So i promise to write in great depth when I have some real time to sit down and think, but while i have a second at the computer i will give you a quick idea of what my life has been like over the past week, what i am doing and who i am living with...

My training in Philly was a whirlwind filled with policy speak and cliche getting to know you games...but they were necessary and helped to break the ice. 64 of us had a chance to settle our nerves and talk through all that we were feeling, which was pretty much the same and very therapeutic. The two days passed by quickly and we boarded busses to leave for JFK in NYC.

The next day and a half was spent on airplanes (Lufthansa is hands down the best airlines i have ever flown) and on benches sleeping in the Munich airport. A long couple of days but not all that bad. My luggage all made it with me and considering not everyone could say that i consider it a huge success!

After landing in Kiev we headed to some hotel-ish type place in the woods and went through 2 more days of policy and debreifing. I found out who would be in my cluster (the group of people i will be studying with and living in the same town as)...all very good people...and found out that i would be learning Russian, a very nice surprise.

I will write more later...bering rushed. All is well. Love you all.

Day 1...

What the hell have I gotten myself into?!?!? Just kidding...I flew into Philly today for a 2 day orinetation of sorts and everything thus far has been great. As you would expect, all of the volunteers are extremely down to earth and really interesting people. My roomate is a fellow Michigander, Royal Oak native and Detroit sports fan which has made the transition easy and fun. We hit up a Belgian Pub tonight where I was able to enjoy one of my favorite beers (Delirium) and watch the Pistons play...could life be any better? I think not.

All in all today has been everything I hoped and needed it to be. There was the obligatory paper work and Peace Corps policy lecture that was loads of fun, but more importantly, I am surrounded by great people and am on my way to developing a support system that will sustain me for the next 27 months. I will obviously miss all of my family and friends (you're my family too) but I am thrilled to be less than 24 hours in and already feel so comfortable with my new Peace Corps family. No doubt there are tought, trying times ahead but I am up to the task and am ready to test my resolve. I miss you all and hope to be able to update again sometime in the first week or two of April. Thank you for your love and support...I am blessed. On to Ukraine!

PS: For some reason the time stamps on my posts are off my 3 or 4 hours so just ignore them until I figure out how to fix it...that is all.

A little less than 36 hours from now I will be boarding a plane for Philadelphia and from there my new life begins. A million thoughts are running through my head right now...some good, some scary but all very real. I think it is natural to second guess a decision of this magnitude, one that takes me so far out of my comfort zone, but when I delve deep inside I know that I am making the right choice. These next 27 months will push me to be the very best person I can, to go far beyond the the artificial boundaries I have set for myself and have been so scared to leave. I am ready. I am ready to succeed. I am ready to fail. I am ready to go. I love all of you and will keep you close to my heart throughout my journey, wherever it may take me.