Wow, this time, it's for keeps.
Tomorrow I leave for Russia, once and for all. The completion of a journey that began in Ms. Russell's 5th grade Russian unit so long ago. My stomach is doing cartwheels, though this isn't uncommon.

I had a great time in New York and would like to thank everyone I saw for being there and being awesome. Shit went down, but everyone came through it in one piece, and I learned a lot about who I am, and just what all of the people around me are made of.

Orientation has been exhausting. Who would have thought that sitting in a chair could take so much out of you, but when you're visualizing yourself in the countless situations they were talking about, it can really brin a guy down. I've learned all about how to deal with local customs, what to expect from my host family, and what to do when a cop shakes me down for cash. It's all happening so fast, but I'm ready for it now. At this point I've cut anchor; there's no stopping me now. I'm going to miss the comforts of home, the security of a network of great friends who care about me, and a whole bunch of other crap.

I guess that's all I have to say at this point. Wish me luck, my next post will be from the Russian Federation.

Last night in Stowe. Wierd thought. It hasn't really sunk in that I'm going to leave the country for nine months, but at least I'm moving things along. I went out for a last supper of sorts with my parents in Burlington tonight. It was pleasant, though my mind was elsewhere through most of the meal. I'm really looking forward to seeing my SLC friends before I leave. I think it will help ground me. I've been such a wreck for so long now, I'm really just looking forward to kicking back in New York and partying my way into my exhile. Perhaps that's a little dramatic.
In any case, farewell Stowe. You've been good to me this summer.

Five days left. In five days I will leave Stowe and the world to which I am accustomed. When I say it like that it seems a whole lot heavier than it feels in my mind. I still have so much to do, so many things to buy, so many loose ends to tie up. It's hard to imagine that I won't see a familiar face for so long. I will leave Stowe on August 27th to spend a couple of days in New York, en route to DC, which I will be flying out of on the 31st. I have a lot of hopes for this blog, I hope it will accurately reflect my time in Russia, but I will just have to stay on top of posting for that to happen, I suppose. I'll also do my best to avoid direct references to people I know back home. I don't want this to become an LJ for me to spill my angst on, Lord knows I have plenty of that going on. So, if you're reading this, tell someone you know. The more I hear that people are reading this thing, the more likely I am to keep it up.