I finally took the first step of my transition and moved out of Santa Cruz yesterday... I am visiting Colorado for the first time which has been an interesting way of seeing what getting on a plane and living out of a suitcase in an new environment without my usual routine will be like. Of course it helps to have two of my friends around, still able to read and speak my language, and the developed, civilized world all around me. 11 days seems so close and yet so far. I just want the waiting part to be over, all my goodbyes to be done, and my new life to begin already...

Is it just me or is that photo gigantic? oh well, I dont know how to make it smaller...so 21 days until I fly out of CA to Philly to spend 3 days there meeting everyone, filling out papers, getting our first shots, and a little training of course. It is coming up way too soon! I am in denial. I am not really leaving all the comforts of life, Im not really leaving all my friends, Im not really going to have to learn Ukrainian or not speak to anyone. Nah.