Day Before Departure

I am procrastinating in my packing. I'm afraid that once I start packing, the tears will fall. Because then it will really be over. 24 hours from now I'll be heading to the airport to leave. I don't want to leave anymore. But I want to see my family and I want to go home. I'm just a mess.

Today was my last day at Scalabrini. Clive and another refugee came in today to say goodbye to me. I said my goodbyes to everyone, took pictures, thanked them for everything they've allowed me to learn and grow from within the last 3 months. They thanked me as well with a cake, potato chips, juice, and a gift. They gave me a beautiful bag with a patch in the shape of Africa sewn on it. I love it. I am forever changed by Scalabrini. Which remind me, I still have to write in the Scalabrini volunteer placement log. And finish my evaluation. And pack. So much to do, none of which I am eager to do because each one cements the fact I leave tomorrow. I love flying, but I won't enjoy the takeoff from Cape Town. The tears are welling up in my eyes already. I miss my family so much that I almost feel guilty for not wanting to leave. But my desire to stay means I did everything right. I am looking forward to being home again, but I will have some culture shock re-acclimatising to the US. Some things I've picked up on I think I might keep, like slang words and others I might break. I won't drive on the left side of the road of course since it's illegal in the US, but it will definitely take some getting used to the right side of the road and the left side driver. And the cold...it will be a shock to my body from going to the extreme cold. I will try not to get the flu, but I just might from the long plane ride and the shock of the cold.

Time to turn up the music and pack. I will continue the blog once I return home (not as frequent though) with reflection on how my trip has impacted my life and how my readjusting to American life is going.

Cheers