3...2...1...Blastoff!

Some Accountability?
Ok, honestly now, who wants to volunteer to keep me accountable to updating my blog more than once a month? All that person would have to do would send me a quick e-mail or posting saying, " It's time to post again!" I want to send out some sort of post every week and I hope to develop a weekly routine to accomplish that goal. Okay, on with the update...

PFO 2007
Southaven, MS was an amazing week and a half. It was filled with scrumpcious southern cooking (no, I didn't have grits, but it was offered) that filled my belly to bursting everyday. Genuine Southern hospitatlity was experienced daily. The seminars ranged from topics regarding our own personalities (including how we communicate, how we approach conflict, etc...), learning more about the TCK (Third Culture Kid- international students in our schools), preparing to leave, and how to adapt to a new culture. My roommate while there, Zach, was an amazing guy. He offered to lead the worship during our time there, so I was more than eager to lend my voice to back him up during those days. They also split us up into small groups to discuss the day's seminars and how we were all doing with our preparation anxieties. I was in a group with three married couples and Zach. Just so people know, this was a training not just for new teachers going to Bolivia, but to all the NICS/OASIS schools around the world. So, I got to know people who were going to places such as: Caracas, Venezuela; Seoul, South Korea; Singapore; Brazil; Ghana; Ankara, Turkey; Kabul, Afghanistan; etc... These people came from all over the U.S., some were coming straight out of college while others had five years experience or more already. I also got to meet frequently with my Bolivia group, of which I am very excited to begin working with. One of the couples, Marcos and Valeria, came from Bolivia. They had been teaching at Highlands International School since it started 4 years ago. Our group was blessed to be able to hear firsthand from them about the culture and the school. I was even able to practice my limited Spanish with them a little. They said I had a pretty good vocabulary already and expected me to catch on quickly when I got there. We'll see. :) Jason and Sara, the school's director and his wife, also came for a couple days for some group bonding. I also got to meet John Swaney, the school's campus pastor and high school Bible teacher. He lives about 10 min away from Southaven, MS and Memphis, TN, so he took the Bolivia group out a couple times to get to know eachother and have some Memphis ribs. Mmmm. John and I also went out a couple times to just sit and talk about everything and anything. The rest of my group is comprised of Whitney (5th grade, engaged, and taught the 2nd half of the year at Highlands), Alison (Kindergarten and elementary specials), and Tom and Anne (EFL teacher and elementary principal, they have a four year old named Avery). Getting to know my group has helped immensely in soothing anxieties about La Paz.

Since I've Been Home
It's been hard. Don't get me wrong now, I love spending time with my parents. But there's been two big reasons why there is still a knot in my stomach.
1. Saying Goodbyes- I had to say goodbye to Stacy this past weekend and many other close friends in the cities. I say goodbye to my parents in 2 days. I can't express enough how much everyone has meant to me throughout my life. There are still so many people that I have not said goodbye to and if you are one of those people reading this right now, I want you to know that I am sorry. Please let me know who you are, so that I can write a proper e-mail letting you know how much you've blessed my life. I leave my comfort zone in two days, which is exciting, and at the same time extremely uncomfortable.
2. Escaping- My big to-do projects over these past couple weeks was to pack (of which I'm not worried about) and begin school planning. I have spent the past two weeks stalling and delaying because I don't know how to start getting organized. I just finished a 2000 piece puzzle and have watched more Cosby show then one person should. It's a frusturating weakness that I have only just recently begun taking to the right source for strength. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I hit the grindstone these last couple days to give myself an outline for this coming school year. Any advice or organization tips would be welcome also.

Final Comments
I have received a few e-mails from people who want to be included in my prayer update, which I plan to send out at the beginning of each month. If you want to be included send me your e-mail at bjorlie@gmail.com.
Also, don't be afraid to comment. I got a whopping one comment on my last posting and maybe that's because I haven't left yet. Either way, let me know that you're reading. Thank you all! I will try this clever wordplay again and see if it works. Let the comments commence!