T minus 12 hours

Attention, ladies and gentlemen!  After a four year hiatus from blogging, I'm back!  Paul and I have decided it would be a good time to start a blog together, as we are transitioning into a big life change.  Today (yes, I did say TODAY), we leave for Zambia!

It is an indescribable feeling.  One that is mixed with excitement and joy as well as some trepidation and sadness added to a mounting dose of exhaustion.  Excitement and joy because this is a dream that I have had for the past 15 years since the age of 16, and one that Paul has had since he experience a 180 degree change in his life path 10 years ago.  And finally, all these years later, we're finally leaving.  Leaving to serve as ophthalmologist at an Eye Hospital and general dentist at a Dental Clinic in Zambia. 

Trepidation because of the unknown.  The unfamiliar.  The prospect of two Asian Americans who grew up in California and Hawaii serving in a land of Africans.  Although the official national language of Zambia is English, the 40 tribal tongues will be inequivocably difficult to understand; the traditions, norms, and mores will be a puzzle to figure out.  And although we might convince ourselves to believe that we are somewhat well-traveled and open-minded, we are certainly not too naive to exempt ourselves from the inevitable culture shock.  And the assumption that we are Chinese (after all, South Korea is a very small country; and adding on the fact that I was born in America just adds to the confusion).  Nonetheless, we have committed to serving in this land of the unknown for as long as we are called to serve.  Hopefully 5 or 6 years, but maybe more, maybe less. 

Sadness because of the people we are leaving behind.  Our families, our friends, our co-workers, our pets (bye bye, Nilla).

We won't get to attend the special autumn weddings taking place this year (congrats Mary and Jason, Eunis and Jeff, ...) nor see the birth of my first nephew (congrats, James and Linda).  

Many memories will be made, and we will noticeably or maybe not so noticeably be absent from many of them.  But I know that life will and always does go on in our absence. 

Exhaustion because we have been on the go since our wedding date (which, by the way, was June 24, 2007…ah, the wonderful memories).  From marriage to honeymoon then immediately starting ophthalmology residency…to Paul’s graduating and working…to graduating from residency and moving to Boston to start a fellowship…to moving back from Boston, celebrating my dad’s 70^th birthday on a week-long cruise to Alaska, spending time at home in Hawaii…to returning to California and frantically packing for this cross-country, cross-Atlantic move.  

Needless to say, we’re exhausted.  And if I were a prophet I might predict that we will knock out as soon as the flight attendant begins her usual schpeel on seatbelts and emergency exits.  But even if we slept for half the flight, we’d still have to fill the remaining 12 hours with attempts to entertain ourselves.  All in all, we are not looking forward to this long flight. 

Anyways, we ask that you please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark on this adventure.  We will try to keep this blog updated, internet- and electricity-permitting.  Goodbye California, Hello Zambia.  And we’re off…!!!