Brand new shoes, walkin blues, climb the fence, books and pens... I can tell that we are gonna be friends

It is crazy to think it has already been a week since my first post, which means another week closer to Panama. School has started and I am very excited about all of my courses. I am taking Biology,JINS, Environmental Studies, Senior Seminar in Sociology/Anthropology, and sitting in on a History course. Very cool things.

This week in our JINS course everyone made an identity pie chart and explained their characteristics and interests. I really wish every course I've taken included something similar so people can learn more about their classmates and discover similarities. It is also cool to learn that our class has a wide range of interests, opinions, and beliefs. I think this is very valuable because everyone can benefit from exposure to differing viewpoints and talents. This will also be helpful in the creation and execution of our group projects.

During these next few weeks I am anxious for the continuation of my courses, the developing friendships, and my service learning and SOAN projects. Obviously I'm also very excited to arrive. I know these next few weeks will fly by and I will be in Middle America in no time. With my first week of classes at Truman finished I am merely three weeks away from departure!

Going where the climate suits my clothes...

Pre-script: Like most of our class, I have never blogged before. However, I am extremely excited to experience many new things this semester in Panama, and if a blog decides to tag along, then that is alright with me.

Right now I am still a wild mess of wonder, skepticism, excitement, and much more concerning both my last semester at Truman, and the two months of Panamanian excursion that await me. I am curious about just what exactly it will be like to travel throughout country and what exactly I will be doing. No matter how many times I read our information packets, view the class website, or speak with faculty, my mind still wanders and imagines several different scenarios--all of which will most likely be much different than the actual experience--but they are all still fascinating to imagine.

I am skeptical, just because it still does not seem very real to me. It is still hard to believe that in less than four weeks--a mere month--I will be adjusting myself to the tropical climate of Panama (a great change from bitter Missouri), attempting to speak Spanish (more than just out at the bars with friends), and forming numerous relationships with both Truman cohorts and locals (a friendly 'hola' to anyone who is reading this!).

I am excited, of course, for all of the things I mentioned above, but also for so much more that I cannot account for. I am excited for relationships with a group of diverse people, an unexplored environment, and my favorite hiking boots. I am excited to nervously speak my Spanish and comfortably speak my English. But I am also excited for the unknown. And with that I will conclude my first blog, remaining in an enchanting state of wonder, skepticism, excitement, and ...