One Mile Marker To The Next

I done graduated!!!!!!!!!!!!

The hood has finally been placed around my neck. What a relief. It seems unreal that the school phase of my life is now over. Many things feel unreal these days. I'm lucky to have had the opportunities given to me.

It has been wonderful having Kirstin and Derek in town. I've loved all the family outings from the Zoo to the swimming pool. But the best has been giving the little monkey a squeeze. Derek's snorts and belly laughs bring me to my knees. I'm going to miss you guys.

On the Peace Corps front, I have recently been in contact with several Volunteers that will be in my group leaving for Tonga. It is great to bounce ideas and feelings off of others who are going through similar chaos. I have just booked my flight to LA for the staging phase of this experience. I will spend several days there prior to shipping off to the Kingdom. I also received a CD detailing some basic Tongan words to give me a jump start on my language skills. I'm in trouble. Language (even English) has never been my forte. I'm hoping that being immersed in the culture will push me to learn.

Nofo a

Adrianne

Need vs. Want

While packing up my life from the past five years, I've done some reflecting. I realize that I have a great amount of excess. Some things have provided me comfort. Others have been so called "necessities." I feel like I'm about to learn the difference between need and want.
Even while packing
- I need an IPOD for my music.
- I need a digital camera.
- I need to have a good rain jacket.
What I really need is what I already have...
A roof, some food, family, and friends.
If I'm having these thoughts right now before I actually leave the country, imagine me in two years. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

This apartment has many great memories. It is a little sad to empty out the closets and lock up the doors. I feel like I've had my most growth during these years, if that's possible to identify. Okay, I'm getting sappy.
Kirstin & Derek are here in two days. Graduation is this weekend. No time to get sentimental right now. That can be left for my final few days here before departure.
Check you all later.
Adrianne

PS - I've added my Tongan address to the right. Please feel free to write to me as often as you'd like because I'm unsure how often I can check my email. Remember, I leave July 8th!!!!

Time to Celebrate

My paper is in the office of my professor.
My internship is in the bag.
All is at ease in my mind.

I am now taking this opportunity to babble.
(something I am sooo very good at)

I first want to say Happy Birthday to my boy Joel.
It's been a long road.
I'm veering off onto the long route.
You can go the short cut this time.

I want to next say congratulations to my cousin Heather on her engagement.
I'm very happy for you and wish you all the best.

As I said before - I will not sleep the month of June.
The packing has begun. I thought that because I am of the sign Virgo, I would be packing in an orderly fashion. This is not the case. My apartment looks like a tornado struck and I'm only in the first stages. Give me another week and Shang might decide to move to his grandparents home early.

I have begun my celebration.
Staying out late - getting up early.
As my dad would say....burning the candle at both ends.
Well, it's worth it. It feels good!!!!!!

I'm trying to figure out how to post some pictures on this blog.
Hopefully that will be my next addition.



Adrianne