Countdown to a New Life--Day 6

Okay, its Monday and this is the first day of the vacation I took from my current employer in preparation for the trip to Houston in order to complete processing with the new employer. Taking a week of vacation is a stretch for me, let alone taking three entire weeks. I've been chatting with others who are also headed to Houston for processing to go to Iraq, and I must say I'm really looking forward to getting on the plane to Houston and getting all this underway.

I began packing my suitcase today and realized I've got quite a few things to try and fit into this one piece of luggage. There is a weight restriction, so I pray that I can bring along everything I need without exceeding the limit. I've also pretty much wrapped up a lot of things from a legal perspective, only have one or two more things to get done. I plan to finish packing no later than Friday and then take my suitcase to the Post Office in hopes of having them weigh it for me.

For the most part, my children seem to be quite calm about my departure. We've hung out here and there but I really don't think it's hit them just yet. I think the true impact will come once they realize I'm physically not here and won't be for a while. They each continue to move along as though nothing different has happened. I seem to be experiencing the same thing from my parents. They too don't seem to be making a big deal of my heading away to a country far from home. Oh well, I've accepted things as they are, and have come to realize that this is all about my living my life, just as others seem to be living theirs.

Well, I'd better head to bed, I'm getting sleepy.

--Oluwakemi