Ten days before I'm off!

I've only lost two objects in my life that I can remember actually mattering--as I very rarely lose things at all. One was my dorm key which cost me $100 to replace for all five of us roommates in Shelton Hall, and the other is my Bank of America card. Yes, I lost my debit card ten days before the big move. I realized only two days after the fact, and I have at most seven business days (which is what the BofA customer service rep told me it will take) to get my new card by mail. If I don't get it by then, then...well let's just hope that I get it by then. For those of you that know me well, you would be surprised how calmly I'm taking all of this in.

On a lighter note, tonight I realized what I want to do with my life. I found out about an environmental, public policy, economic development, education-friendly non-profit organization focused in great part on Ecuador. Granted, I might not be good enough to get involved (although I pray there is something I can do there), I felt something click as I read and re-read the organization's website in its entirety. I'll keep you posted, of course.

Update on the host family situation: I work at the abroad office, and last week a girl came in to talk to the Ecuador program manager about her experience in Quito this past spring. She and I talked only to find out that I have her host family from the spring semester! I didn't want to hear too much about them so I could find out myself, but I saw a photograph of them--they're so beautiful! Anyhow, I'll check in once more before I'm off and then I'll be writing from Ecuador and posting pictures, etc.

I don't even believe that I'm going. The more people mention it to me, the more distant the idea of going becomes. I've never been away from home for this long. It's like going to college for the first time...except in a different country, a different language, and a housing arrangement a little different from the Warren Towers sardine box.