S&T (:

The time has nearly arrived for me to depart. It's strange to think that in less than 30 hours, I'll be stepping aboard the plane to Kolkata. All those months, weeks and days of waiting certainly have crept up on me. And now it's time for me to go. I feel so unprepared, so unready. I should've spent more time watching bollywood films, more time on researching the history of India, more time on learning the language and more time on simply preparing myself for one of the biggest experiences that is yet to come in my life.

However what's done is done and all I can is start preparing for the exciting, unknown, inevitable future. I've started taking my malaria tablets yesterday, which are going to be an absolute pain taking because I have to consume one a day everyday at the same time. And guess what? I forgot to take them today. Day two and already forgot. Good job, Sharon! Also on the medical information sheet, it says that I'm supposed to take them for a maximum of 8weeks. Hmm... will it be dangerous if I take them for 20weeks...? Medical students, advice!

The one thing that I absolutely dread with all camps, trips, vacations etc, is the packing. There is something about it that I just can't deal with. Maybe its the essential notion of organisation and the ability to pack to needs rather than wants that takes me so long to pack. You think it'll be easy right? I mean what is there to pack? Just some clothes, toiletries, and other essential things, right? That's what I thought but here I am with half of my belongings packed neatly inside my rucksack whilst the other half is flung chaotically around my room. Maybe it's a sense of denial, an inner refusal to leave my comfort zone, my home. Who knows? I just know that I won't be sleeping early tonight, not because I'm excited about my trip (which I am), but because I'll be running around the house frantically trying to pack last minute. A five month trip and I'm packing the day before. Typical.

The first five days in India will be orientation week where all volunteers, 24 in total, will experience valuable lessons with subjects such as the Indian culture, teaching tips, classroom methods and child psychology being amongst them. Then we'll all separate into our own individual ways, hopefully seeing one another during weekend trips over the next 5 months. 

I still can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow. It is absolutely surreal and the whole experience is yet to hit me. 
Hellooo, India! Here I come!