Approximately one month to Mexico!

February 4, 2016 

Welcome to my first ever blog post!  I'm leaving for Mexico in early March for 27 months as a Peace Corp volunteer and hope to have enough internet access to share great stories and photos with you along the way! I will be working on natural resource management and climate change issues with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) in a Biocultural Landscape!

After lots of poking, blood tests, and dental appointments, I was medically cleared to move away with a new crown, partial root canal and polio booster (and yes, I got the third degree from the clinic staff as to why I would crave the highly desirable polio booster).  I started Spanish classes the first week of January and am super excited I can now say things like "I have a cat", "Today is my birthday", "The crab eats the spider" and other extremely useful phrases for life abroad.  

As a super independent gal, I did not realize how much I would have to rely on my family and friends to make this journey possible.  A special shout out to the following people: 

• Wendy - she drove all my art work, family photos, camping gear and other heavy, big and difficult to ship prized possessions to my dad's house for storage. You rock!
• My dad - not only did he allow me to store all kinds of stuff at his house, he actually wanted to take possession of my prized cat Luca.  And that was even after I found out the day before our flight that she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and would need either some radioactive procedure or medication twice a day for life. I know that she is in a home that is warm and loving and will make sure she gets that medication, and that eases my stress (and guilt) more than you could know. 
• My siblings - they have been SUPER supportive and excited for my adventure which warms my heart.  Love me some hermanos y hermanas. 
• My friends - everyone who lets me text them, call them and email them both in moments of excitement and in moments of pure terror and stress as I prepare for this exciting journey :)

This weekend I hold my big "everything goes" sale and hope that I can move a lot of my furniture out the door.  Next week I tackle selling my car.  I gave notice at work this week and was again surprised at how not one person (aside from my Grandma but you know, that's Grandma) has said anything other than "Wow - that's so cool, I'm so jealous!" when they hear the news.  

Thank you to everyone who sent me a note or comment on Facebook with best wishes and kind words.  I'm sure I'll need those to reference in the coming months. Thank you again for your support and encouragement and buenas noches! 

My beloved Luca in her new CA home.  I didn't realize how much I would miss her after 13 years as an evening lap warmer.