My Last Night In The US

On my last night before leaving for New York, my little brother was feeling stressed about me leaving, so we decided to have a sleepover in my room. After going to bed well after midnight, I woke up at 4 am and could not fall back to sleep. Maybe it was nerves mixed with excitement, keeping me from my beauty rest; or maybe it was the fact that my little brother slept diagonally in my bed with his feet in my back. Either way, I could not go back to bed. After I took my LAST shower in MY bathroom until July 2015, my little brother, Naasir, and my mom drove me to the airport. Once at the airport, I got checked in, and we made our way to the gate. We all kept our emotions in check until my mom's allergies started kicking in; she suddenly started crying her eyes out, for about 30 seconds. I started to tear up and so did Naasir, but we regained our composure, and our final hug was tearless, warm and exciting. My adventure was finally beginning!!

After boarding, I sat on the small jet, next to a man who was going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. He told me he was going to be without access to a shower, and covered in mosquito nets for a week. As a HUGE hygiene FREAK, I thought he was so brave; but as I told him about the journey I am embarking on, he told me how impressive and brave I was for leaving home as a high school Junior.

I got off the plane at JFK International Airport, and met the chaperone who would be leading the pre-departure orientation, and also tagging along on the trip to SA. When I arrived at the hotel for the orientation, I met 7 other students who are going to South Africa too! We all came from different backgrounds and hometowns; from Maryland to Oregon, but I made 7 new friends-for-life, in just 10 hours. There was a recent returnee from SA that we were able to bombard with all sorts of questions. I think the most valuable things that she said were: "The value of this entire experience will be based on your attitude", and "keep positive thoughts", because although this experience will be fun, it will also be challenging. I feel like everything I have been taught throughout my life, has prepared me to embrace all that comes with this journey; so her words hit home.

After orientation, I stayed up all night so that I could try to sleep during my 15 hour flight to Johannesburg. Lots of thoughts and feelings to keep my mind occupied...my prayers are up, and I am ready to go!