YOLO!

Welcome to my blog! So today marks exactly one month until I leave for Tanzania and start my journey as a Jesuit Volunteer...and I haven't even thought about packing yet! I've spent the last few months preparing myself for this crazy, awesome journey, visiting friends and family that I will miss dearly, and eating lots of cheese (because I know I'll miss that just as much as I'll miss all the people in my life). Although it was sometimes frustrating and difficult, I have realized how important this transition time has been to my experience. It’s given me a chance to think about a lot of things I don’t know I would have considered if I had left immediately after Orientation in July. Here are some of my (very unorganized) thoughts:

I’ve been thinking a lot lately that Drake was totally onto something with that whole YOLO thing. I know it seems obvious and cliche…of course you only live once (unless you believe in reincarnation, I suppose). But lately it’s the only thing really keeping me calm and open-minded about this move to Tanzania. At least once a day I freak out about leaving my amazing family, my wonderful boyfriend, and my inspiring friends for two years. I know that they will be there for me in a new way throughout my time there and that they will certainly welcome me home with open arms in December 2014. But see, here’s the thing, that sounds sooo far away. I keep telling myself that 2 years is “a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of my life.” This is true but in a time when I don’t really know what the next two years will look like or how they will pan out, it’s not incredibly comforting. But for whatever reason, YOLO totally is…

Along with freaking myself out at least once a day, I also look at the pictures that my future community-mates post on Facebook. Often times I end up looking at the same pictures every day for a week or more but even if I’ve seen them 100 times, they still give me comfort. At first glance I tend to think, “Oh my goodness, what am I doing? Am I going to be as happy doing this as they seem to be? Am I going to be able to jump right into my new life there and embrace all of the new things?” But then I stop myself, I really look at the pictures and tell myself that I can, in fact, do all of the new, cool things too…I just gotta remember Drake’s motto: YOLO. Why not just dive right in?! And why not be happy in this challenging and awesome adventure? ‘Why not?’ is right! For goodness sake, YOLO!

When I first thought about applying to serve internationally with JVC, I was even more nerve-wracked than I am now. But I asked myself last December, if not now, then when? And the truth of the matter is, I couldn’t think of a legitimate reason for not jumping right in, so I applied and the rest is history. It seems YOLO was my motto from the very beginning. I hope to remember that during my years abroad and for the rest of my life…I mean, I do only get to do this life thing once.

And so, just as I took the plunge, filled out that application over 9 months ago, and gave everything I had to become a Jesuit Volunteer (JV), I guess I am more ready than I might realize to take this even bigger plunge, apply all of the wonderful things I have learned in my four years of Jesuit education, and give everything I have to being a JV (a dream come true!)

With every fear that passes through my thoughts, also comes a great sense of joy and anticipation as I get ready to leave. I know everyone uses YOLO jokingly, but the fact of the matter is it’s true and I intend to live that way during my time in Tanzania. I want to try new things…all of the things!

And maybe to make it just a little Jesuit-esque, it should be YOLO: GFASTWOF (Go Forth and Set the World On Fire). No, you’re right….that’s probably too long. But the point is, with this one life that I have been given I know I am meant to go to Tanzania at this time in my life (no matter how nervous I am) and hopefully make some kind of impact. So remember, YOLO, my friends, YOLO…so GFASTWOF!

Amani na Upendo,
(Peace and Love),
Kathleen

...well, I might be a little rusty with the whole writing thing but it will get better with practice, I promise. Plus, things will be much more exciting once I actually get to TZA, haha. So, if you're interested, come back in a month and I'll have a fresh update straight from my new home in East Africa!