Step 2: Paperwork, Planning, Paying

Oh, it has started. The paperwork deluge. I know it's really only beginning. I signed on for this, right?

Today was the endless "I swear, I live in California" form.

Then was the application to study at Clinica Pop-Wuj for May...along with the application fee. Ching! The first of many CHINGs! I had to buy accompanying plane fare for said trip, but that had miraculously become cheaper over the last week.

This morning I received my confirmation for the trip. Now I feel compelled to consume every travel book I can get my hands on.

Gave notice at work, which means I now get to comb through piles of applicants for my job.

I'm now in the planning phase. What do I have to do before my trip? Put gym membership on hold. Hope motorcycle battery holds up for a month - get a charger in case it doesn't. Give subletter keys, instructions. Lists, items to do, things to assemble.

After waiting for so many months, having to condense such big plans into such a small chunk of time feels so odd. Leaving a job, leaving the country, coming back and rapidly jumping into a new lifestyle. I think I've needed a change of this magnitude for a while, and feeling so apprehensive yet excited about the whole thing is great. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff and peeking over the edge. Scary, yes, but I understand it's going to be fine in the end.