Less than 12 hours, now...

Hello blogstalkers (I hope you stalk me, anyway...),

Well, this may be my final blog from Ohio!! I'm heading to Philadelphia, PA in the morning (SUPER early) to fly to NYC to hitch a flight to Miami, FL...to finally end up in Ecuador. Wow! Can't believe it's that time already...

I'm having serious anxiety about terminating my cell phone plan, but it's part of the adventure. It's recommended that I don't bring one along during my travels because of the high possibility of theft, shotty service, and expensive plans. I really don't want to have to deal with paying bills while I'm gone, either. All in all, it's stressing me out but I'm looking at the bigger picture - not the stressful details.

On a lighter note - I found my floral Keds so I'm DEF bringing them along!!!! LOL Ridiculous, I know. Thank GOD Shadow has been helping me pack. We started last night and I actually am not having too much trouble fitting my junk in 2 bags!!! However, I did go on a small shopping spree at Meijer to get stupid last minute stuff. : / I couldn't help it. I was like a junkie in there - knowing I wouldn't get my next fix in 2+ years my heart was pounding. Ugh, all the goodies there are so tempting. Consumerism at its best. I did give in, but not too bad, really. My most guilty purchase was candy for the kids down there - Shadow made me feel bad about bringing them unhealthy, processed, American food. :( :( :( It's basically everything I stand against!!!!!!!! But it will be a new experience for them and it's not like I'll let them binge on it!! Moderation!!!! ;)


On another note, I had the most WONDERFUL vacation to Orcas Island to visit my brother Zak last week!!!!!! Shadow and I went (his first time flying EVER!! he did great!!) and it was perfect in every way. I couldn't have asked for a more amazing trip to one of my favorite places ever. Seeing Zak was wonderful too - what a fantastic brother. I am so blessed, I truly am. Shadow was a great travel partner and we did some amazing things - hiked around Mountain Lake, Turtleback Mountain, Mt. Constitution, etc, saw tons of starfish (Shadow held one!!!), saw about 7+ eagles (including little ones learning to hunt/fly!!), and a beautiful breathtaking sunset. Pics can be found on facebook!! Thanks so much, Bub. We love you so much. <3

 Alright, well I tried to avoid making this last Ohio entry too sappy. It's so easy to get caught up in the sadness of the reality of leaving for two years, missing everyone, isolation in the way of lack of regular communication, no cell phone, etc, etc, etc...but I have two choices: to be sad or to be happy. I'm sure everyone would agree that being happy is  much more rewarding and productive. Therefore, as difficult and strenuous that it is, I'm striving to be happy in my current situation. And really...it's not that difficult to beam from ear-to-ear knowing that I have amazing supporters like you who have my back.

With peace, love, and endless gratitude -
Sarah

P.S. For my training address in Tumbaco, Ecuador (approx. 1 hour from the Capital city, Quito), please look at the blog entry prior to this one!!! I can receive letters at that address, but no packages yet (not until I get settled). I'll keep you all posted as often as possible, I promise.

P.S.S. It's 55 degrees in Tumbaco right now...coldddddd!!! That's because it's in the highlands (mountain) region. Yikes. Hopefully I'll be posted somewhere warmer!!!!!!!! ;) ;) I'll let you know!

2 weeks to go...

So I leave for Ecuador in TWO weeks. Incredible. I've been so busy that I can't even see straight...

This past weekend I had a going-away dinner with friends and teachers from CHS! After that a much-needed Just Jokin' night was in order. And Saturday evening Rochelle's mom threw a party for me!!!! SO FUN. Pics are on facebook as of like 10 minutes ago. :) I've seen so many amazing people this weekend, it's just amazing. The best part is that Shadow was right there beside me through everything. Thank God for him. <3

I spent Sunday and most of Monday with my mom at my Grandma's in Ashland!! That was too fun. She's such a spit-fire and cracked us up the whole time. I'm gonna miss that wonderful lady. Also went to visit her Amish neighbors - what amazing people. The kids are just perfectly adorable. I'll miss them so much too..

UGH - enough sad stuff. Tomorrow I'm spending the evening with the girls I used to babysit for the summers. They're getting so big! Can't wait to see them. Then Wednesday I'm hoping to go to Findlay to see a movie with Shadow and hang out with him and the puppo, Bucca. :) She's growing so fast!!! And I just need to see Findlay one last time...

Thursday night this week is dinner with Mr. Bohland and Miss Debbie (a former teacher and his wife) and I NEED to do some more shopping and run errands!!! I need more stuffffff :( And I need to renew my license, make some phone calls, visit the Board of Elections to see about voting from overseas, go to Verizon to cancel my phone plan (I'm having SERIOUS anxiety about that...), etc, etc. It's never ending. One thing after another...

So...JEN'S COMING THIS THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!sldkj;alsdkf!!!!!!!!! Cannot wait. She made a special trip from New York just to see me one last time. Amazing! Her bf's coming too and we're going (Shadow, too!!) to Cedar Point this Saturday. We're pumped and hoping for nice weather! Then Sunday (the 22nd) is my last-last going away party/cook out at 2pm! The event is on facebook so check it out and...COME! :)

The day after that Shadow and I are going to Orcas Island to visit my bro for about a week. I am so thrilled about that. Shadow's gonna LOVE it and even though it's rainy there we're gonna have an amazing time. :) (See ya soon, bubba!!!)

Then...I think 3 days after I get back from WA, I'm off to Ecuador (after I call about my tickets...long story). Some people (ahem...KELSEY THOMPSON...lol) have been asking for my address a lot lately, so I'm gonna post it on here. I'll be reachable at this address from June 1 - Aug 18th (about 1.5 months) and it takes from 1-2 weeks for letters to get down there. I hope I get a couple letters during training because that would be so nice!!! Then after training I'll update you all with my new address. Here's my first address though:

Sarah H. Everly PCT
Cuerpo de Paz
Casilla 17-08-8624
Quito, Ecuador
South America

So like I said - I'll be there from June 1 - Aug 18! Write to me, please!! <3 Not sure how much postage would be to send down there so you may want to ask the postal people before you just slap a stamp on it and send it on its way. :)

My brain is fried since it's literally 3:30am and my fingers were enjoying NOT having to type papers constantly (YAY for graduation!!!)...so I'm on my way. I hope you enjoyed the post and it gave you a taste of my insane life. 2 more weeks. Crazy.

<3
Sarah

First bloggg

Good morning!! 

So this is my first blogging experience since I was like....13 years old? Yes, I had a Xanga. So shoot me. ; )

Anyway, this blog will be a documentation of my adventures to be occurring in the next couple years. Since I won't be able to communicate readily with you all, I thought a blog would be the (almost) perfect solution to that. I'll still e-mail and facebook when I can (imagine a day/week/month without hours wasted enjoyed on facebook - is it possible??), but internet access will be greatly limited.

I'm in Findlay finishing up finals week for now and I'll be moving to Leesville in about 1.5 weeks. While there, I'll be meeting up with friends and family as much as possible and having a going-away cook-out for fam and friends (Mama, you really need to start planning that.....). OH, and JEN IS COMING from NY to visit for several days (we're gong to Cedar Point - cannot wait!)...and Shadow and I are traveling out to Orcas Island to visit my brother Zak for like 5 days...then 3 days after that I'm off to Ecuador...

Busy, busy - as usual. I guess after finals week my life will be picking up, not slowing down. At least I won't have papers to write and tests to study for. I must admit, though - I'll miss you, UF. <3

Well, I hope you all enjoy my blog and I'll update when I'm able - I promise. I love you all (except you creepy strangers reading this - actually, yanno, maybe I'd love you too if you aren't too creepy...).

<3

Sarah