I was looking at my Instagram today when I came across a picture I had posted precisely 73 days ago. The only reason I know this is because the countdown to me leaving the country is now down to 7 days. (If you're a real math magician, you've probably figured out that the post was at 80 days...if not....oh well..)
It has dawned on me that the last time I posted about my trip to the Philippines, I didn't have too many details and that a lot of people aren't exactly sure of what I'm doing, so people I know...here you go! For the people who don't know me and are still reading this, what's it to you!? (Jk. Thanks for reading it anyway!)
The first question people ask is who I am going with. I normally answer with a hefty "me, myself, and I are flying together". Yeah, I've flown alone once. I left from a Florida airport where we walked out onto the Tarmac to board the plane and as the father behind was convincing his daughter, we loaded the plane through "the butt". While on that flight, I obviously didn't know the people, but they were pretty social if I say so myself. They both slept the whole way home. But what could be more welcoming than snow and ice welcoming you home with a little bit of turbulence!? It was great 😐
The second question: How long will you be there? A whopping six weeks! Oh, yes! At first, my plan was to go for 2 weeks, then it changed to three, and it just upgraded to six! Now, as some of you may know, my family and I are pretty close! Sometimes my mom and dad go on a vacation without me (peace out!) and I'm at home without them for a couple weeks. How are we going to get through six weeks!? Skype dates at 7:00am their time! Keep in mind, there is a 13 hour difference here.
Question 3: How long will it take to get there!? Well, my first flight from Chicago to Tokyo is 14:30. I'll be in Tokyo for about 3.5 hours. On my first flight, I have prepared myself to be around many Asians and specifically Japanese people, have learned to say "nihongo o hanasenai" pronounced as "knee-hone-go oh hah-nah-say-nai" which means "I don't speak ya language". My second flight, is 4:30. I'll land in Manila at 11:00pm, but there's always bound to be a delay somehow, somewhere. Oh! I've also been learning some Tagalog, which I'll probably forget some of, but it's alright!
Question 4: What are you doing there? Thanks for asking! On the Monday after I land, a preschool is opening and I'm going to be working with and helping the kids. I've seen pictures of some of the kids and I just can't wait to meet them!!! On Saturdays, there is a lunch program for the poor kids around town, also. Yes, I am preparing my heart to be melted and broken at the same time!
There are a few culture shock things that I have heard about, but it's time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable! I just have to get some guts and jump in!