Here we go...

I cannot believe that tomorrow is the day.  I leave at 8:25am to Philly to begin my journey.  Wow, the past 72 hours have been a crazy.  I had a dinner with my best friends on Saturday evening, which was amazing!! I seriously love my friends... they are so supportive and optimistic.  I do not know how I would have gotten through this leaving bit.  It was surreal to see my best friends boy's Dylan and Logan.  Dyl is 21/2 while Logy is 8 months.  I kept looking at them thinking wow you will be so big when I see you next time.  I was trying to savor every memory and every hug.  Wishing the night would never end.... finally said my goodbyes and wished them well.  I expect great things from them all in the next 2 years... Rachael will have her masters when I am back and working on her PhD.  Heather will be finished with her Nursing bachelors and working on her Masters.... Marissa will be having a little baby girl (We all secretly hope :))... Taylor will be some big stylist who is living up the city life... Mallory will own her own place, working towards her degree probably successfully running some type of marketing business.  Thankfully I was able to spend time with my girl Tarris during the week... she makes me smile with her crazy dreams of my life... lol.  I love each and everyone of my friends and I am so thankful for them in my life.  What would have made the evening perfect, having Lyndsay and Stefanie there.  Lyndsay of course living the dream in Seattle (my future home ;)) and Stefanie... serving our country currently in Florida.

Then Sunday had a dinner with my extended family. What an amazing treat that was.  We went to bucca di beppo... my favorite since Stefy used to bring home the apple walnut salad.  It was amazing to see all 24 of them in one place (thats only a small portion of my extended family).  Toasts and cards, followed by great food and hugs made the evening perfect.   Now this was the hardest part of preparations.  I know I will miss them dearly but knowing that my beautiful cousin Jennifers wedding is next weekend and I have to miss it makes me leaving even more surreal.  Just in case I do not get a chance to say it on her wedding day... let me say it now " Jennifer and Jayson... congratulations.  You two deserve nothing but happiness and I am so excited to have Jayson as a cousin now ;)... may the celebration of your union never end.  You two are made for on another.  I love you both".

Now to this evening... my last day here in California.  I enjoyed it with one of my best friends and sister-in-law Christy.  She is one of the most amazing person I know.  I am so thankful to call her family.  We went an got pedicures, grocery shopped, listened to our favorite song "rio" lol, layed out with sangria and ate some delicous fried chicken :) It was an amazing day... and now I am about to enjoy a beautiful meal prepared by her.  My brother is very lucky as are we.

Tomorrow embarks the beginning of my dreams... I have always wanted to do something like the Peace Corps and never believe it could happen to me.  Well.... it's happening :)  Thank you friends and family for your constant support.  I love you all and cannot wait to share my experiences with you.