BSLE 2010 Begins!

Welcome friends and family to my first post!
Right now I am sitting amongst all of my things yet to be packed and I thought this would be a perfect break to do some blogging. I am also taking a break from helping my sister and her husband move today (the Buchoks enjoy scheduling important life events all at once for a challenge).

I am leaving for Bangladesh tomorrow and I cannot believe it’s already time to go. I’ll be there for five weeks participating in the Bangladesh Service Learning Experience with the University of Manitoba. After hearing about all the great experiences others have had in past years, I had to apply in my last year of University. I’m graduating with an advanced degree in anthropology, and the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture for five weeks allows me a first hand chance to experience elements of my degree not possible to do in Winnipeg.

Starting months ago people started to ask me if I was getting excited for this trip. While on the one hand I get so worked up sometimes I feel like I could actually combust, between graduating and having to say goodbye to an establishment that has given me so much over the years, I feel more anxious and melancholy than anything. I also equate the feeling to bracing before a giant wave, one I felt before when I first moved to Winnipeg. One that comes with a life changing moment that you know will somehow change you forever. This might start to sound heavy but in reality I’m ready to dive in!....Wait, did I just start using ocean metaphors? It must be late and I apologize, it won’t happen again.

Five hours have elapsed since I began writing this blog and I’m almost all packed up. I can’t wait to see the rest of the team tomorrow and start this amazing journey! I will do my best to keep up with my posts and keep in contact with everyone!

Yours Truly,

Celia