So here’s the deal, folks. This whole blogging thing seemed like a fabulous idea, until the reality of the situation sank in.

“The reality?" you ask. "Now it sinks in?? Girl, you crazy!”

I have come to terms with the fact that I will not have internet access for the first 2-3 weeks that I’m in Kazakhstan. And then there is the possibility that I will only have limited access once I’m on permanent assignment. So, a lot of my friendships will completely rely on my ability to correspond via snail mail. If you think that’s a bummer, imagine how I’m feeling.

Sure. I saw it coming. But I was in denial. From the time that I was invited into the “Kaz 18” group, current volunteers on site have frequently reassured me that most people have regular access to the internet in K-stan, even in extremely rural sections of the country. So I kind of refused to believe that I might not be that lucky. Anyway, I’m unsure as to how frequently I’ll be updating now.

I will admit that there’s something exciting about being completely cut-off from the modern world. Oddly enough, I will have a cell phone which will be capable of receiving international calls. K-stan is one of those strangely modern, pastoral countries that suffers a huge income disparity among the classes. You could ride a donkey-pulled cart on a dusty road outside of your village one minute, only to have a Land Cruiser whiz past you --driver with cell phone in hand-- in the next. This gap in wealth has everything to do with the recent boom in natural resources (and then the lucky people raking in the profits). I am there to serve those who “have not” as opposed to shooting vodka and rubbing elbows with the well-to-do. So no internet.

Today I had an epiphany. I have sloughed off every expectation I ever had about my place in the Peace Corps. I can’t expect to learn my language of preference or to be assigned to a comfortable locale. I can’t expect that my laptop will withstand two years; I can’t even expect that my best friends and I will stay in touch. If I prepare for the worst, how can I be disappointed? If anything, I’ll come home a much stronger person after having coped with thousands of similar setbacks.

I am so excited I’m nearly crying in anticipation. I can’t wait to get started. I already have a few ideas for secondary projects: one of them is based on the Rockin' Readers program that BookPeople hosts in Austin; the other is an after school journaling club. I don’t really know how feasible these ideas are, and I won’t until I have an opportunity to scope out the situation in my village. I’m sure that more ideas will materialize once I get closer to my assignment.

Inspiring books that I've brought with me: The Diary of Anne Frank, Bound For Glory, Lonesome Dove, In The Aeroplane Over the Sea by 33 ½ books, Gilead, and Europe Central (I haven’t read the last two yet—had to keep something for the plane ride).

I’ve written enough. It will be a while before I can write again. I miss you already, Mom and Dad. Just know that I feel super safe, and I’m thrilled to enter this next phase of my young life. =) Kerblockistan or bust!!