A whale of a time..

I leave at midnight tonight for NYC. Orientation on Staten Island for 10 days and then I fly to Malaysia on September 1. What is life?

Surreal, for sure.

I have a family brunch this morning and more packing to do before I leave. And I'd like to take a nap since I'm flying red eye and me sleeping on planes doesn't always work out.

Here are some weird things that I have had to do to get ready for this new adventure..

- Cancel my Chase debit account. I opened this account just for NYC and since I have a B of A debit account, it doesn't make sense to have two.

- Call Bank of America and tell them I'm going to Malaysia so they don't put my account on hold.

- Pack clothes that do NOT include sweatshirts or sweatpants. These (American) comfort clothes are not necessary and even uncomfortable in a tropical place like Malaysia.

- Say goodbye to my brother through an email.

- Buy one of those clip-on insect repellant fans. I've never used one and I'm not really looking forward to walking around buzzing (audibly), but I suppose if it keeps me from contracting malaria..

- Buy little bags of Snickers and Reese's. My mom said people I'll be working with in Malaysia will appreciate American chocolate. I'll take her word for it.

- Look up the Malaysian form of government and currency. They have a prime minister and queen and king. And the currency is called ringgit.

Whereas last year moving to New York very much felt that I was moving my life, this move to Malaysia feels more like an aberration. Like a break from my real life. Maybe because I'm leaving with one suitcase and one carry-on bag (I'm excited to see how the GSV tenets of social justice, community, spirituality, and especially simplicity pan out). But this IS real life. Although I am not taking many of my clothes, books, shoes, trinkets and things, I am not leaving anything behind. Where my heart goes is home. I am departing from my family and friends for a little while, but I am not leaving behind a life. I am moving forward with life.

Anyway, the other day I was watching 20/20 with my Grandma and there was a spot on a group of boaters who came across a humpback whale (they obviously weren't on the local lake) entangled, fully straightjacketed by fishing net. The whale was pretty much being strangled to death. At risk to their own lives, the boaters spent more than an hour cutting the net to free the whale. When they finally set the whale free, the whale swam away and after a couple yards majestically jumped out of the water and into the air. It was saying thank you. I've been such an emotional wreck the last couple weeks, so I almost cried watching this whale on TV (yes really), but it was also a really beautiful image. I'm obviously not a whale (insert appropriate joke here), but I like the idea of me swimming away and jumping into the air showing my gratitude for everyone who sends me off on this journey with support and love.