Okay. Now I think I'm ready. Almost.

Hello!

I have realized, over the past few weeks, that there are many details to take care of, before one leaves one's home for 5 months. One of those is to create a space where thoughts can be collected and shared with people one loves. So, here I sit (with a glass of ice water, it's so hot!), creating this thing they call a blog (really, who thought of that name?) to share with all of you!

Many people lately have been asking me about this trip on which I am about to embark. I tell them where I am going, and when (the facts). Beyond that, I know nothing about this trip. It is all a very new. I've traveled alone in Mexico, yes, but that is so known-- it is familiar. It is hard for me to answer any real questions about the next few months. I have found it quite odd to try and articulate what I don't know-- and won't know, until whatever it is, happens.

So, anyway, back to the facts. By Thursday night I hope to be in southwest Switzerland with my friend Jen at her Swiss friend's house.

I leave tomorrow at noon from PDX (less than twelve hours... I really ought to be sleeping now... it's all my brother's fault... due to his gracious kindness I am resting at his apartment for the night... his gracious kindness also forgot his keys on his desk and will be calling me to let him in, in a bit).

I think I am ready to go, but again, I won't know until I'm there. I won't know until I get lost, or realize something I forgot, or can't speak the language. Really though, I do think I've done all I can. I have my fingernail clippers, that's all I really need, right? Oh, I have my passport too.

Alright, this is getting lengthy, I better go. Love to you all. And an especially big thank you to the E-house ladies who I had the pleasure of spending a week with. What an absolutely lovely time. (It's true--- things do always work out, and though I don't want to do it, I must thank the French consulate for not getting my Visa taken care of in the time I wanted them to. Oh! And thanks to my mother and brother who endured my unhappy self, throughout the Visa mess. And thanks to all of you who I complained to! It came! And thanks for all of your helpful ideas!)

-joy

ps. In case you are wondering, I hope to be on here every few weeks, (Linfield is actually paying me to do so! yeah!) and I am sure that I'll have interesting things to share (probably too many things) about people, and food, and traveling and being tired, and being very happy, and farming techniques of Danish and Scottish people, and France, and school.... and i'll try to keep it readable (but who knows? Maybe I am a terrible writer! Maybe no one will read this! Maybe I won't ever get to France! Maybe I'll get pneumonia! Or maybe it will be a really positive experience where I learn a lot. I'm hoping for the latter. :)

pps. Eleven and a half hours!! :)