And they're off...

So, I'm currently sitting in my swanky Chi apartment, next to mi madre, surrounded by all of my stuff that's getting packed up within the next two days. Today has been completely non-productive at all, so tomorrow - yeah, it's going to be absolute hell. Putting everything you own in either two-ish suitcases and/or boxes to be driven home, it is incredibly unnerving.

I've been trying the best way to describe my feelings right now and I'm having a hard time. Like, I'm absolutely ecstatic about heading back to Jambiani and being with Toni, Dulla, and all my little kids again. I really am, you please have to believe me. But I've gotten to the point in my life where I feel as if I have a 'life' here in Chicago. I have a steady, reliable (most of the time - with last night as one of the exceptions) group of friends. I have been working at this wonderful internship since January and have met some amazing people through it. I'm worried that life isn't going to be the same as it is right now. I'm not 100% sure that I want it to be, even, but right now, it's comfortable. It's where I am in my life and I'm OK with it. And the next time I'll be back in Chicago for an extended period of time, it will be three years from now and I'll have been through more life-changing experiences than I ever thought a person could go through.

• Heading back to Zanzibar for 5 months, working as a liaison between the volunteers and African Impact.
• Hoping to summit Kilimanjaro with Mom.
• Going somewhere with the Peace Corps for 27 months doing who knows what.   

Wish I could be more coherent at the moment, but I'm just completely overwhelmed. Plus I'm watching Forrest Gump. Once I finally get my act together (hopefully at least once more before I head to the airport) or once I get overseas, I'll try writing again. 

And I'm ready to be back here in a few days. Good lord, it's beautiful.

<3