October 1, 2019

As October begins, I start to think about what lies ahead. Graduation, student teaching in Indiana, and then finally Ireland here I come. But there's a lot of things still left to do to prepare for this journey. Where will I be staying? What day will I leave? When will I return? So many things need to be discussed and I haven't even started. While I've looked at a few flight options, I haven't even bought a flight yet. I can't tell if it's because I just don't know when to leave and return or if I'm just extremely nervous. Nervous that once I buy the flight, it means I will not be able to get out of it. I'll actually be leaving for another country for 3 months without any of my family's support. I'll be alone in a foreign country in which I know absolutely no one. That's just frightening. I want to buy my flight and start packing and I want to get to Ireland. I'm excited, but I just don't know what to do. Will I be a great teacher when I'm there? Am I ready to graduate? The answer to both of these is probably yes, but as a 21 year old senior who has always depended on her parents, it's nerve racking knowing I'll be alone. But as I sit in my Fantasy and Horror in East Asian Literature class, I think about how amazing this experience will be. I think about all the great pictures and opportunities this brings. And I definitely think about how lucky I am to have the family I have. A family who supports everything I want to do. So if you're reading this and you helped me get to Ireland in some way or even supported me as i grew up... thank you.