Hello friends! I am excited to invite you to this blog as I begin on the path towards my next big adventure. I haven't seen some of you in years, others of you I saw just the other day. Regardless, I am glad to have you in my life, especially as my life is about to completely change! In a few short months, I will be moving to the Pacific Islands - Micronesia and Palau - to begin my life as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
As you can imagine, I am filled with excitement and anticipation (claro!). I am also filled with equal parts nervousness and sadness as I am leaving behind many wonderful people and places in my life for a great big Unknown. When it comes down to it, though, I am ready to run boldly into this cosmic Unknown; I will thrive on this new adventure. Until then, my goal is to use my time this summer to play and honor my experience here as I say goodbye while preparing myself for the wonder, mystery, and challenge that lie in the two years ahead of me.
Fortunately, I already have some experience moving to a far away place and living independently for two years. After graduating from Whitworth with my *ever-so practical* Philosophy degree, I moved to Maine where I have been working at a wonderful community-based natural foods store. I have made many friends that have enriched my experiences here: going to the Common Ground Fair and climbing Mt. Katahdin; scooter-pooling on Earth Day and riding my motorcycle to the beach; contra dancing and poker night; snowshoeing downtown and Spring walks to the Old Port. I first came to Maine on a whim, and what I found has been whimsically and spiritually enriching in many ways, challenging in others. All in all, I am quite glad to call Maine home for the past two years.
I am also glad to have been able to maintain many relationships with friends and family across great distances. At the same time, I'm bummed that I haven't been as good at keeping in touch with many others. So I sincerely want to be intentional about staying in touch as the distance between us is about to increase...a lot. My hope is that this blog helps with that (I will also provide other forms of contact info as they become available). Even though I'm the one boarding a plane in September, I whole-heartedly invite you to come along with me.
Until next time, whee!
Posted by
Emily Nell Hurianek
