Down to the Wire

Hey guys, it's been a few months since my last journal post, and since I've been uploading some new deviations lately, I figured I'd give you all a new journal update and fill you guys in on what's been going on with me. I must admit, the past few months have been pretty hectic now that I'm getting really close to starting my volunteer service in Eastern Europe, I mean... Disturbingly close! Back in January, I was hoping I'd be able to pick up another part time job before my service started, and unfortunately that hasn't been the case. Instead of working, I've spent the past few months trying to prepare for this new job in the Peace Corps, and now I only have three weeks left before I leave the United States. O_O Aside from all these preparations, I've been really enjoying myself visiting with friends and family. I've also been trying to get caught up on some drawing and video games (unfortunately I'll be without all my console games for the next two years when I'm Europe >.< ). I really need to work hard these next few weeks to organize my time properly and see all my friends and do all the activities I want to do before I leave. 

I'm currently on vacation with my family; we drove out to South Dakota last week to visit my grandmother and some of my other relatives. I've always considered South Dakota to be my true home since I was born there and have some great memories there. My grandmother has been getting weak in her old age, so I was very happy to see her again before I leave for the Peace Corps. We left South Dakota a few days ago and now my family and I are out in Colorado, one of my most favorite vacation spots. I'm happy to have this time to spend with my family before I leave, and a few of my friends from college are planning to come out and visit me as well. Over all, these past few months have just been a wonderful time for friends and family. In regards to my volunteer service, I know I've told a lot of you guys about the Peace Corps, but just to clarify, it's an American volunteer agency that sends people to work abroad in developing countries. It's a real charitable organization that strives for world peace, and since I couldn't get into the military, I figured I'd serve my country in the next best way, by working abroad to help others. As I've mentioned in my recent journals, I'll be working in the country of Moldova, which is a former Soviet republic, and I'm expected to learn Romanian and Russian while I'm out there (I'm really excited about that ).

 

Like I said, I only have three weeks left before my colleagues and I head out to Moldova. It's a little overwhelming because my service over there is a two-year commitment, so I'll be away from home for a long time (I have the option to come back home and visit on breaks, but that would be so expensive x'D). One thing I'm really excited about is getting the chance to travel around Europe during my vacation time while I'm out there, I intend to visit as many of my European friends as possible (that means some of you guys ). As I've mentioned before, I'll be working as an English teacher at a Moldovan school, and I really hope to use this new experience to find a better international job opportunity. I know I've been busy preparing for this new chapter in my life recently, but I wanted to say, thank you all so much for keeping in touch with me and following all my posts. I've been so happy lately because some of you guys have really made an effort to reach out to me and stay in touch outside of DA. I feel like at this point in my life, I need all the friendship and support I can get. :'D After I get back home from this trip with my family, I'll only have two weeks before I leave. I'm actually planning on doing another Silent Hill cosplay with my pal , and hopefully I can finish some of these drawings and get started on some new ones. Fortunately, I'll still have the time and resources to upload new drawings while I'm in the Peace Corps. Over all, I have my work cut out for me these next few weeks, and we'll see how things go once I get to my job post in Moldova.

 

Guys, thank you all so much for your continued support, I'm really fortunate to have made such wonderful friends with you all, and I look forward to getting to know all you new correspondents in the coming months. I may be a little scatter-brained and a little frantic at the moment, but I couldn't be any happier knowing that I have everyone's support. Take care, my friends. I love you guys.

 

-GL