I hope you are avoiding work while reading this, as I'm sure that is something I would be doing. Thank you for supporting and encouraging our journey to Kenya! I'm leaving for the airport in less than an hour, and in my true procrastinating form, leaving my first blog note now. To introduce myself, I'm Becca. I grew up near Chicago, but I spent the last 8 years living in a handful of different places. I've been in Colorado for about 2 years, and last month I graduated from the University of Denver with a Masters in Social Work. My VLM flame was first ignited a few years ago when I did a volunteer year with the Vincentian Service Corps West in L.A., and learned about the program from friends who have gone before. I believe I am on this trip for a reason, as events of the last year led me towards a path that was different than I originally planned. I am excited to see what awaits me in Kenya.
While I joke that travelling to Africa with the VLM is a great way to avoid "real life" for a month, in all honesty I know this will be a great experience to further my personal and professional growth and awareness. I am excited for the opportunity to learn and live in a new culture, as well as be a witness to how others live. We talked at orientation about what we will be taking with us, such as feelings of anxiety, nervousness for the unknown, and excitement. While I carry those things with me, I also hope to leave a few things back in the US, like my fear for the future, thoughts of difficult things awaiting me when I get home, and my usual habit of not being fully mindful in the present moment. I want to bring only my full self, my excitement, and positivity.
I am grateful for the many people that helped me get to today, and my dad for driving me to the airport in a few minutes. The future is bright.
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