What to take?

Ok, so I need a little feedback.

For those of you who know me and have seen my room in whatever apartment I have lived, you know that the main thing I own are books. I love to read, but it is a bit more than that. When people move someplace new they try and create a small space wherein they fell at home. For some people that involves family heirlooms, or a shotglass collection, or maybe some posters that display their identity in some way. For me it is my library that satisfies that nesting instinct. The problem with this is that books are not a very practical thing to carry when you are travelling light, but there is no way that I am going to leave for two years emptyhanded.

So here is where I need your help. I am trying to decide what books I should take with me. My question to you is this... "If you were going to be gone for two years and could only take two books with you, what would they be?"

Are you scared? ...part 1

So I'm almost overwhelmingly excited about this opportunity to life and work abroad for two years, but there are a few apprehensions I have about the whole thing and I'll go ahead and air some of those...

I'm worried about making decisions completely on my own. From what I understand, we will be serving in a town with no other Peace Corps volunteers. I'm a little worried about the loneliness of the whole thing, but what troubles me more is the idea that when difficult decisions arise, that those I trust the most won't be there to offer guidance and exhortation.

On the flip side this is one of the things I am looking forward to most. I'll be forced to grow whether I like it or not and won't have the ability to pass off the decision to a friend or family member. Maybe, just maybe I'll be able to stand my ground and face the adversity that is sure to meet me...

... and hopefully I'll make it out on the other side a better person for it.

Invitation and Acceptance

So it's now official... I'm off to Morocco on March 2 of 2007 as a health extension volunteer.

I'm so excited that I read both the 150 page plus manuals they sent me and another book about the Peace Corps all in one afternoon. Now begins more paper work and more waiting. I have to say I've almost forgotten that I'm graduating from college in 10 days.

The excitement highs, however, are inevitably accompanied by lows. I came to the rather stark realization about a week and a half ago that I am going to miss Austin, FBC, and UT rather intensely. This place has become home in ways that no other city has before. This realization isn't going to hinder my ability and willingess to go and adapt, but it does give me a sense of geography. I think I have an answer to the "where are you from?" question... Austin. I know I've only been here for just over two and a half years, but I guess that's all you need sometimes.

Enough of the lows... I'm graduating, I have a job that is going to allow me to live abroad and learn a new language, and I have a place to think of as home... Life is good.