Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Moving to Africa

I'm moving to Africa in three and a half months. My to-do list is slowly diminishing as I send in visa papers, shop for summer wear, and make medical appointments. I get excited and anxious as I listen to Swahili on CD and practice my African geography on a map I downloaded from the web. My type A tendencies are in full swing.

No matter how much I read, study, and visit with other Kenya travelers, I will not be completely prepared for this change in my life. How can I? I've never been to Kenya. I've never been to Africa! Although I've lived overseas before, this will be a totally new experience - different culture, bigger school, eight years older. One thing I can prepare myself for, however, is no expectations. Having lived overseas before, I know that low expectations are key. It's hard not to have expectations of this new place I'll call home, but I know expectations in a foreign country generally are never met. So, I try not to daydream too much, keep plugging away at the myriad tasks I need to accomplish, and count down the days with anticipation. Moving day will be here before I know it.


I am looking forward to seeing scenes like this Kenya safari photo. Yes, I will be living a national geographic life soon enough. In the meantime, I'm enjoying where God has me right now, finishing strong at a job that has blessed me and spending time with friends that cannot be replaced.

4 comments:

  1. I'm so excited you're on the blog scene! I bookmarked your blog and will check it out every week! I'm looking forward to seeing how your journey in preparing for Africa is going. Africa was a life changing experience for me and I was only there for the summer. This is a huge adventure for you!!!! By the way, can't wait for you (and hopefully Amber and Mun, too) come for a visit.

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  2. Africa's amazing!!!!! I'm so excited for you, Kim. :)

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  3. Wow Kim; you are so adventurous! I am so glad that you have a blog. It's such a great way to keep up with your adventures!

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  4. How to live with no expectations...that's the million-dollar question! I've tried to do this many times, and have failed in each instance. Is it even possible?

    Perhaps it is. But as a Type A person like you, I find that I spend too much time thinking through each little thing. And in the end, my expectations aren't met. In the moment that can be difficult, but with some time to reflect, I am usually quite thankful that my expectations were wrong.

    God's peace Kim!

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