Roam, if you want to

Well it is almost that time kids. I guess I should be packed by now? I don't think sks36 would even know how to pack for this. How does one who is 6'6" pack to go somewhere for two years where he has no idea what environment he will be in and really has no option to buy clothes there. Seriously, I'm 6'6". It really doesn't feel real yet but I guess its about to get real. Real real. All 57 volunteers meet up in Houston before we fly out together and since I am flying down the day before to stay the night with my uncle and aunt I think it won't feel real until then. Or once I say bye to the fam. Or once I am linguistically slapped in the face when I barely understand what my host family says to me. Oh my, what am I getting myself into? But really I can't wait to get started. This state of limbo I have been in the past three months has been subtle torture. Up to this point I have always worked towards some sort of time goal. Graduate high school, pass each semester of college, graduate college, now what? Sure I was working, but with what goal? And if you say retirement I'll throw up. I was just working to work, fill time. That's not how anyone should live. I need goals, purpose, and some sort of climax in everything I do. Enter Peace Corps. As hard as it is going to be I really feel this is the thing for me. No I didn't want to leave my beloved Pittsburgh. Sure there are people I still want to spend time with or say goodbye to. Hey, my next birthday in the US will be my 25th; things will be different when I get back. Will I be different? Will I only wear organic cottons, buy fair trade, and yell at anyone who turns a light on for longer than 16 minutes? Who knows, but maybe that is what I am working towards. Let's make a promise. In 27 months, you all have to be there for me, and that includes throughout the 27 months. And when I get back, if I get obnoxiously preachy hit me. Fair? There is one thing I can promise you, I'll never have a gross outdoorsman beard. Ech.

So boy, Mercury, Kate and Cindy were right. I will roam, because I want to, without wheels.