January 20, 2012, Friday: The Last Day Home

Disclaimer: Everyone is invited to read this blog. These are my thoughts and my emotions. As I have invited many different kinds of people to follow my blog, from family to friends to professors, I ask for understanding and open-mindedness towards the topics that I discuss and in the way that I choose to discuss them. How can a blog be good if it does not reflect me, who I am, and every aspect of experience--all good and bad? Anything other is just not juicy. Anyways...

First I suppose, I should thank you for reading my blog, my very first post, and in a way, joining me on this journey.

Today is my last day in America, until that is, May 20th, 2012. I aboard the plane headed to Dakar, Senegal 10AM January 21st. I have been awaiting this date for quite some time now and as it approaches, now merely hours away...I can't help but feel excitement--an excitement that has kept me from dreaming.

Friday's agenda is as follows:
1. Meet James and pick up a hikers backpack
2. Buy 220V converter
3. Make copies of all important documents (Never can be too cautious can you?)
4. Pack, oh yes, haven't done that yet...
5. Last min trip to Walmart. (I'm assuming I'm going to forget something important, a bright assumption if you know me well)
6. Participate in a Bra research in which I will be paid $100.00 (A surprise despite my lack of boobage; taking Waseem along in case it happens to be a creep with a camera; Spending money for Senegal no doubt, I know you all will understand)

I found myself quite fortunate yesterday, as I ran into several of my friends at SMU and got many hugs and warm thoughts. All those warm thoughts will carry me on to the plane and ease my nerves. Four months...it is the longest period of time I have been away from my friends, family, and Waseem. Yet I know it will be four months filled with memories too colorful to forget. I will miss everyone, dearly, truly, and whole-heartedly, but the time has come to spread my wings (figuratively of course) and to see the continent that has been calling--Africa--a country I have always imagined in bright colors...oranges, greens, reds, and yellows.

So much to say, so little time to say it.

I decided I would provide a quick explanation of the title of my blog "Pressed Memories." I believe blogs are wonderful things in that they allow you to share the memories that you make to others all over the world. This blog, in that regard, reminds me of the times when I took up an interest in botany. I captured each day and its significance with a single flower or leaf, which I would bring home and press in my journal. Not all of them pressed beautifully, some even rotted, but nevertheless, they were my memories of the time and the beauty of each day--not to mention my failure at being a botanist. Similarly, this blog will hold the memories, on display for all of you and for myself.

Off to bed now, sweet dreams everyone.

Music:
"Big Girls Don't Cry" by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVBvy2cc0Io

Quote:
"What has before been so abstract to me is now a reality, and I'm quickly learning this is the benefit of doing research in the field. Books can only help you understand a concept, especially a political concept, to a limit. Dripping the sweat makes it real." -Abhit

http://blog.undergradresearch.northwestern.edu/abhit/