One month and counting

Yesterday I received an e-mail detailing my staging information. Contrary to what I originally though, my staging will not be in Philly. Tear. Too bad, because I had it all planned out and everything. It will instead be in Washington D.C. That means, I will be counting on you Shobs, to come and sit with me on the night of Monday March 7 when I am crying hysterically in my hotel room.

I now have an amtrak ticket to D.C. and flight itinerary from Dullas to Dakar. No turning back now, I guess this means I'm really going. I'm excited, and nervous too, I mean, who wouldn't be. It does sort of feel like a lot of things are happening all at once. I have my staging information, most of the equipment I will need, my last day at work is Friday and then all I have left to do is pack up my apartment and put all my stuff in storage.

So...work ending. The feelings are bittersweet. While I've definitely had my complaints over the past two and half years (most of them being with my supervisor), at the end of the day I do really enjoy my job. I work with some amazing people. (A special shout-out to Anne Marie and Marissa who made me the most AWESOME survival kit! Notice the Dora the Explorer band-aids with "Rachel the Explorer super-imposed on the box, not to mention the notebook which was hand-decorated. Please see picture below)

I'm also going to miss all of my patients. I know that most of the people I only knew over the phone, but that doesn't make it any easier. Some of these people I spoke to everyday. It's hard to think that I will never hear their voices again, not only that, but their futures are uncertain and it won't be my place to keep tabs on them. I will be thinking of these people often and wishing the very best for them. 

I also can't help but think about all the things that I will miss while I'm away. Experiences more than actual things. I sat on the floor of my living room last night with SWK and Natasha, drinking wine, eating mexican food and laughing. I won't get to do that with them for the next 27 months. No more nice dinners at JoJo or strolling through the farmer's market at Union Square. I won't be able to run around the reservoir in Central Park (not like I did it all that much, but it was still an option). No more bloody marys at Friend of a Farmer or shopping at the cute boutiques in Soho. Whoa! How did this turn into a post about missing New York City? I guess I might as well go with it at this point. I LOVE NEW YORK! There's no place like it and I will miss it.