Apr
22

I will be leaving for US… I’m not very sure how I’m feeling at the moment — it must be a mix between excited, scared and I don’t know, perhaps worried..??

Air tickets

I am excited about my entire US trip because this is the first time I am traveling out of the country by myself. Yeah, I know I’m 27 and all that jazz. I am excited at the prospect of meeting a lot of turtle researchers, and I am excited to actually “see” US for the first time. But of course, I am also excited at the opportunity to visit so many places — Chicago, Tennessee, southern California, New Jersey and Florida — in one trip. Plus, I am also excited at the possibility of meeting a turtle scientist in Nova Scotia, Canada :grin:

But at the same time, I am also feeling a little scared because this is the first time I will be away from home for such a long time. This is the first time I will be arriving at a country where nobody knows me. This is the first time I will be taking care of myself and all my belongings..

I am worried about my Mum. And my cutie pie sister because she is graduating in a couple of months, and I won’t be able to make it to her convocation :( I should have been around to guide her upon graduation, you know, to help her find jobs, to give her suggestions and recommendations on how to get things done and other stuff that an elder sister is expected to do. Instead, I would be in another country 12 hours away :(

I am truly grateful to be given such a golden opportunity, and I would like to record my heartfelt thanks to the Asian Scholarship Program for in-situ Chelonian Conservation, to all my sponsors (I hope I get to know who you are and thank you personally), and to William, the Program Director. Thank you for answering my non-stop questions, and thank you also for getting me my air tickets and co-ordinating my trip and for everything in between. Thank you for making this possible for me :D

To my blog readers and visitors, thank you for the continuous encouragement and support. You guys are my biggest inspiration :vodka: I will continue to post updates here whenever possible, so do keep in touch yea?


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17 Responses to “In exactly a week..”


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  1. Rob O.

    Pelf,

    I understand your nervousness, but I’m really excited for you!

    We’ll all be travelling vicariously thru you, so please do post progress notes & pics! And if you’d like some ideas about things to do in SoCal, send me a shout!

  2. rinnah

    I’m so excited for you! Wheeeee! *hugs*

    I know I don’t comment much, but I do read every post of yours. So if you do have the time to update, do! I’ll be waiting…

  3. Pelfy

    I am very happy for you because you’ll be coming back with ‘peace’ magazines. I’m lovin’ it.

  4. silveraven

    nervous?? it’ll be replaced with excitement in no time! imagine, meeting so many ppl and visiting so many places while learning new things. I SO ENVY YOU! at the same time you’re like a role model. wahahaha~

    will you be changing your phone no.??

  5. Jeff Wetherington

    What part of Florida will you be visiting?

  6. pelf

    Jeff, I’d be spending about a week (maybe more) at the Chelonian Research Institute. You stay in Florida?

  7. Franklin

    Poor Pelf :( But, look on the bright side, you will be going on an adventure of a lifetime! You seem intelligent enough to be able to do this and take care of yourself while you are here in the States :)
    As for your sister, I’m sure she understands that this is an opportunity you must take while you can. You can always be a big sister and help her when you return!

  8. Andy Bailey

    wow, what an adventure! happy travels! :-)

  9. Tine

    Don’t worry, my dear, you’ll do just FINE. It’s okay to be paranoid and watch your stuff like a hawk when traveling alone. It’s okay to have to ask someone for help when you’re lost. It’s the fun in the experience you’ll take with you.

    I’m so excited for you. Am sure you’ll have a fantastic time :)

  10. wuching

    I’m so happy for you, it is indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’ll have lots of fun there & we’ll all be waiting with anticipation for all your updates on this blog!

  11. Plastron

    YAY~! for you~! :vodka:
    Don’t worry too much…ride the wave of excitement and have fun~! We will definitely be looking forward to pictures of your trip. Please take LOTS of chelonian pictures…turtles, tortoises, the whole SHE-BANG…

    You are one lucky gal… :wink:

  12. Guilherme Zulke O'Connor

    Pelf, don’t worry too much about being alone abroad, I’m sure you’ll get it sorted. You are a very smart girl and the challenges of travelling are not as hard as it might seem.

    You might be confused the first couple of days, but I’m sure you’ll feel at home when you start to actually live your experience. Just make friends and have a terrific time :)

    Best of luck!

  13. Giddy Tiger

    You totally deserve it. You can do it. We are all so proud of you.

  14. Jason Ooi

    The biggie day’s finally near u go get the bull girl!

  15. Eileen

    Pelf,

    CONGRATES!! Happy for you! Everything will be fine and enjoy!! Yesh, like what others had mentioned : ” WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU!”. Sorry that i dind’t keep in touch with you for very long time because i was away to NZ (suppose to further my studies but kena tipu to go there). Now i’m back in KL. Hope to keep in touch with you! Bon Voyage!! hugs… :biggrin:

  16. Pinky Geer

    good luck!

    I remember leaving for the US 10 years, and I was a bit younger than you are. It’s going to be a great adventure ;-)

  17. Drew

    Congratulations on your upcoming trip. That is excellent. I read about your blog on the IZEA blog. That is some fantastic work you are doing. Enjoy ‘The States’