With great power comes great responsibility. 

So, what now, America? I’ve taken a few days to decide what I wanted to say about the recent happenings in this country. I’ve felt a number a different emotions. Sadness, horror, fear, worry, disgust, and these are just to name a few. However, I’ve also felt hope. 

This election affected me deeply. Rocked me to my core. But, not for the reasons that many might think. To me, this election was about much more than the candidates. It was about the direction our country was/is going to go. I feel like in the last eight years we’ve been able to show the world that we believe in freedom and in acceptance and in growth. I think Obama has done an incredible job at moving in a positive and loving direction. I am proud of our current president. I am proud to call him my president. 

This post isn’t about our president-elect. I will not bash him because I, truly, hope he succeeds. If he doesn’t, I worry what that will do to our country. 

This blog post is to express my emotions and to express my worry at the additional obstacles that I may face when I show up in another country and claim that I am there to promote peace. When I claim that I am there to help them grow and learn, will the people I encounter laugh at me? Will they not believe me when I tell them I am there to learn from them and to integrate into their culture and their lives? 

The world is watching us. They are watching what we are doing. They are watching our protests. They are watching our speeches and our shootings and our reactions. They are watching and waiting to see what we will do next. 

I just hope that when it comes time for me to leave and embark upon this incredible adventure that I will be welcomed and wanted. I want to go to Africa. I want to go to Malawi. I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity that I’ve been given. 

I also hope that Mr. Trump has watched Spider-Man. That quote applies to the both of us. I’m ready for my responsibilities… is he ready for his? 

They may be right. I don’t know. In so many ways, I see this as a way for me to grow into myself. To become a better human. I am so excited to be going on this adventure. I know I’ve said it before. I may be running. I may be trying to escape this town or this state or this country. I’m not ashamed of that. I, also, don’t see it as trying to escape. I see it as attempting to grow. I see it as attempting to learn more about the world and about myself. I have always wanted more and I have always wondered what my next step would be. I went through so many possible scenarios. I’ve tried so many things and none of them have made me feel this inspired, certain, and nervous. I think that’s a good thing. I think it’s just what I needed. I want, so badly, to make a difference and I hope that I will. 

I’ve told many of my classes about this opportunity. Mostly, I’ve told my 7th and 8th graders when I’m substituting for their classes. I love their various reactions. I love the look of amazement in their eyes. I love that so many of them are proud of me. It just heightens my excitement. They have so many questions. I enjoy answering all of them. Mostly, I enjoy being honest with them. I enjoy telling them about my hopes and fears and letting them into my feelings. I think it makes me more “human” to them and I LOVE that. 

I love that I get to tell them about this opportunity that most of them have never heard of. I get to help them discover another possible path. This won’t be my whole life. But, it will help to shape the rest of my life and I think that is awesome. 

I’m incredibly lucky to have the support system that I have. So many people are helping me prepare for this journey. Every person that I tell and, in turn, tells me how incredible it is that I’m going and how they could never do it and how proud they are of me, just makes me feel even more excited to go. 

These seven months need to hurry up!