This is the last blog update I will be writing from Mali- I cannot believe that it's time to leave here already.  These past two years have flown by incredibly fast, and right now, I am in a state of denial that I am even leaving, and I am convinced that I will still be here for another year.

I left my village yesterday for the last time.  My emotions are in a state of limbo, and I feel as if I am walking around in a dream.  It hasn't sunk in yet, and I keep attributing my stress and huge workload here in Bamako to the fact that I have to go back to village in a few days- which couldn't be any more incorrect.  I hoping that I will be able to come to terms with my leaving, and that my emotions don't catch up on me while I am traveling.  It is quite bizarre to think about leaving- after all, I will only be in Mali for four more days, and then I will be leaving the only home I knew for two years.  It physically is too difficult to comprehend.  That is why this blog update is not really making any sense- because of the difficulty I am having putting my thoughts into words. 

After leaving Mali on Friday, September 7th, I will be traveling to Morocco, England, and then a tour of SouthEast Asia, which includes stops in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.  It should be wonderful and exhausting at the same time, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to see all of these amazing places while I am young and able to.  My flight from Hong Kong to New York is 17.5 hours (!!!) and I arrive the evening of November 3rd.  Everyone, please mark your calendars!!

That is all for now.  I wanted to thank everyone for all of your love, support, and warm words of appreciation for these past two years.  It has been an incredible experience- both incredible in a positive and negative aspect- and a time in my life that I will never forget and will always treasure.  I am looking forward to returning to the United States so much, and enjoying the little luxuries that America has to offer- including a comfortable bed, a cool breeze, and cold milk.  Being in Mali has taught me so much on how to appreciate the small things, and I intend to! 

Again, thanks for all of your concern and well wishes!  Hope the beginning of fall is going well for everyone.  I will hopefully see many of you SOON!