Wind beneath my wings.

When I offically submitted my application for Peace Corps service one if the first questions that came to mind was how everyone in my life would react.

Would they think I was crazy?

Would they understand?

I can honestly say that from the day I submitted my application I have felt nothing but support and love from everyone in my life. I am less than two weeks from departure now and the amount of comments I receive increases everyday. People who I haven't spoken to in a few years are messaging me telling me I inspire them to follow their dreams. 

Peace corps service is so much bigger than I thought it would be. It really does touch everyone in your life.

Last weekend my friends through me a surprise going away party. Part of the surprise was this video.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JZg0l6KkRSc&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJZg0l6KkRSc%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

If you are considering applying for the Peace Corps just know that it does effect every one in your life. You are not the only person who will change during your experience. 

I am so thankful for this experience and how much closer it has brought me to friends and family already.

I can't wait to see the effects when I return. 

I am because we are.

I should start off with the fact that I am not an attractive cryier . Hollywood can go fuck itself making people think that crying is an art. Well it may be an art but one I have yet to perfect.

This weekend was full of tears. Large, loud, heartfelt tears. Some of joy. Some of pure panic. 

Honestly though how many people can say they had a group if 15-20 friends who showed up to surprise them for any occasion? What did I do to earn these amazing people in my life? I don't understand it. I probably never will. Lord knows I'm not complaining one bit though. 

The suprises started moments after arriving to Portland and continued the whole weekend. It was honestly one of the craziest emotional roller coasters I have ever ridden on. If there was a warning sign posted on this ride it would look a little like this:

Warning: this weekend is not for the faint hearted. Riders will be subjected to extended periods of crying followed by more crying. It is noted that when the rider assumes the ride is close to over a second lap will occur. Panic attacks may occur at any time. 

In all serious though I have never felt so loved in my entire life. Do you know what it's like to be in a room with 20 of your closest friends watchin a video full of even more people who wanted to wish you good luck in life? It's the most overwhelming amazing feeling that anyone could ever experience. I wish I could take that feeling bottle it up and sprinkle it on the world. That is how true peace would be reached. 

These are two of the culprits behind this weekend. If it were not for these two truly amazing people I would never have had the courage or confidence in myself to embark on this journey. I owe it all to them and their love and constant support. They saved me. Plain and simple they are my people. 

To everyone who had a part in this weekend I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all.

I am because we are. Without you I am nothing. 

Wine and waterproof mascara.

This weekend I am going to Portland for a last hoorah with a few friends. I am beyond excited to see them and get to hangout... But I also can't shake this over whelming sadness.

Don't get me wrong I am beyond excited for the next two years of my life and all that is going to come with it. It's just that I have finally found my people.

The people who get things about me that I don't even get. The people that can make every darkness in my world have a glimmer of hope. I have never had this before. Not like this. Being away from them for two years is scary. In all honesty it is the hardest part about leaving. 

This weekend is a reminder or what I will be leaving behind but it's also a reminder of what I have to come back to.

I am lucky to have found the most supportive and encouraging people in the entire world.

So this weekend I am packing a bottle of wine and my waterproof mascara. 

Time to leave with a bang!

Bring it on portlandia! 

This is crazy but here's my address, write me maybe?

Something that I have been asked about a thousand times is how can you keep in contact with me while I am off saving the world.

Well if you don't know smoke symbols here are a few simple ways to keep in contact.

First off you can follow this blog which I will be updating. I will warn you this blog is going to be my honest experience. I will be sharing the nitty gritty details about living in Ethiopia. If you can't handle the truth and possible TMI situations then you should probably just email me. I will update the blog as often as I can. So add it to your favorites and check it often. I will be updating Facebook but not nearly as often as this.

Skype: Andrea.louise.spake

I will have access to Internet if not everyday every once in awhile. Add me and if I am on I would love to talk :)

Email: aspake09@gmail.com

I will reply to all the emails that are sent to me.

Address:

Andrea Spake

U.S. Peace Corps Ethiopia

P.O. Box 7788

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

This will be my address for the first three months of my service. After I am moved to my site I wi have a new address. Any mail that is sent to this address after that time will eventually make it to me. I love getting mail and will respond to any I get. Just a heads up it may take up to a month for me to get something you send. 

I would looove you share my adventures with you and hear about what is happening back in the States.

Resolutions and Revolutions.

This year I will be pushing myself so far out of my comfort zone that one of two things will happen:
1) I will fall flat on my face in a puddle of Ethiopian mud or
2) I will become unstoppable.

So this year I am not making resolutions. I am making revolutions.
and no I am not saying I will be overthrowing a government.

I mean I am overthrowing my life.
I am making a dramatic and wide-reaching change in every possible aspect of my life.

I will be a better person. Not because I feel as though I am a bad person, but because I will be living in a situation so humbling that it leaves me no other option but to grow.

I will love more. Not because I don't currently show those around me how much I care but because I will have more to love.

2014 is a year of growth.
A year of love.
A year of improvement.
A year of friendship.
A year of adventures.
A year of travel.
A year of ups.
A year of downs.
A year of hope.
A year of change.

But isn't that every year?

So here's to revolutions in life this year, not just resolutions.