Mixed Feelings

     I am less than a month away from my departure to the Philippines, 22 days to be exact!  We just found out this past Thursday the region we will be placed in for the majority of our stay.  I will be with Gail and Glenda in the Visayas region in Tacloban City!  I am so excited!!  What is so unique about this city is that it was hit by Typhoon Haiyan a.k.a. Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 which devastated the city and killed 6,300 people.  When I found out about that from my mom and started reading the news articles, I felt sickened in thinking about the horror residents had faced and curious about the recovery after.  I know Filipinos are a resilient and strong people so I am sure I will see incredible progress over the past two years.  Although, I know that many are still affected by the trauma, and would like to do anything I can to help the city rebuild while I am there.

   On another note, along with my excitement, I am also feeling nervous about the trip approaching in less than a month.  I feel that there are many things I still need to do to prepare, and I am a little scared to be away from my family especially my husband and puppy!  I am also feeling nervous about being alone for some of the flight, it just seems like a lot is coming and I don't feel ready.  I will also be teaching up until I leave since our school district has had so many snow days this winter that we are in school until June 24th, which doesn't help :(  With that said, I know this experience will change me in ways I can't even imagine and I have been waiting and wanting something like this for awhile!