Oh, sing to me, Muse....

I suppose if this were the beginning of the epic adventure of Odysseus or Achilleus, we might very well kick off this blog with such an invocation of the muses.  But they've had their chances and the words of their exploits continue to live on in the pages and minds of time.  Now, I'm not going to put myself or my own adventure on par with these Greek legends (but if someone else wants to connect those dots in that way, well, I won't protest too vociferously... ;)).  Indeed, I've spent my share of time reading and exploring those heroes' tales--and I may even borrow a page or phrase or two from their books.  <<*cough, cough*--just look at the title of this blog: I'm going to wring every ounce of usefulness out of that phrase I can; those of you who have read or heard my presentations in the last year may recognize it. And you can better believe it found its way into my Fulbright application :) >>

But now it is time for my own epic adventure to begin.

A year ago, Greece was only a hope and a prayer--an application sent on winged words with fingers crossed.  Two or three years ago (or even as a young girl playing school in the basement) I never would have dreamed my life would be taking a turn down this new path, that I'd be boarding a plane that would take me halfway across the world for the adventure of a lifetime.  But God has a plan bigger and better than I could ever imagine, and He's been directing my steps to lead me here today.  I look back at the events and moments that have marked that path so far, and now I look forward with eager eyes, ready to see where He will direct my steps next...

I'm ready.  Sometimes I wonder if maybe I'm not ready, but I think those doubts stem mostly from the fact that I truly am ready, but it's kind of scary to be ready.  And maybe they stem a bit, too, from the two suitcases sitting in my room, bulging with clothes and books and such, waiting to be officially packed..

But here we are.  The moment I've been looking forward to since March, but which has seemed so far off, is now here.  So, here's to squeezing everything I can into my suitcase; to the hardest "see ya laters" I've ever had to do; to old friends and new; to airport security and a layover in Rome; to great ruins and blue waters; to learning and teaching; to making memories to last a lifetime; to living every moment; to this next adventure--here's to Greece...

On winged words and with a prayer in my heart, my Fulbright year in Greece begins: Lord, you promised "You'll guide me along the best pathways for my life--advise me and watch over me"---so let's start walking.  I'm ready....