So, I finally figured out how to work this blog... so here I am. I can't believe that I am leaving for Africa in two days! I've spent half my life living in the United Kingdom, but I've never traveled outside the Western Hemisphere. I'm expecting a bit of culture shock, but I'm ready for it! I'm excited for it! I'm excited for something different. I'm definitely ready for a different climate! I love Seattle, but all this rain is getting to me. I'm so excited that its the middle of summer in the southern half of the globe!
I used to be very nervous about the trip. Heck, I was nervous about my study abroad last Jterm, and that was to Canada! I tend to get nervous when I don't know what to expect about the future. However, now that I've finished the reading material for the course in South Africa, I feel a lot less nervous. I'm actually rather excited. It will be amazing to have the opportunity to actually get the chance to see what I've been reading about. I'm so excited for everything to be tangible, rather than trying to abstractly extract the information from books and other sources. And while books can be full of great information, we all know its nothing like actually being there.
Before I sign off, I would like to officially reccommend that you read No Future Without Forgiveness. I think it was an amazing read, and I feel much better for having read it. It really spoke to me, and probably to everyone else who's read it.

So, on that note, happy January to everyone and I'll see you in February!

Christine