Well, I have finally returned to “normal” life.  After my long day of traveling on Thursday, my parents and I went to the University of Michigan to visit my cousin and take him out to dinner.  I don’t think that I stopped talking the whole night about all the amazing people that I will be living and serving with next year and all the new experiences and knowledge that I gained.  My excitement and enthusiasm about the trip was obvious to my parents.  I went to work on Friday with renewed energy.  I met one of my best friends for brunch on Saturday and she commented on a new peace and calmness about me.  I got to share all my experiences with her as well. 

My mom and I went to REI on Saturday and created a gift registry for items I need and want for my trip so that I can receive these items for my birthday and Christmas (wink, wink;).  I registered for $1700 (yikes!) of equipment 😉  I can’t believe how it all adds up so fast, but I guess when you think about everything you need, it makes sense (kind of) – backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, shoes, clothing, etc.  I don’t know how everything is going to fit in my one backpack.  I did purchase my backpack on Saturday and plan to begin training with it soon. 

Sunday, I went to church, played in a softball game (which we are undefeated – woot woot!), and spent time with family.  Today, I am back to work and I think the 5:30 mornings and 12:30evenings and the jammedpacked schedule of training is weighing on me.  I found myself struggling to get up to the alarm this morning and was even falling asleep driving to work, which is a 15 minute drive.  I have been blessed that today has been a pretty relaxed day at work.  I hope to catch up on my sleep tonight and write some more interesting blogs so that you don’t have to read and endure the play-by-play of my day.  Give me some slack, I’m new at this blogging thing;)