Preparing for what will probably be the most formative year of my life is simultaneously thoroughly enjoyable and distressing. Constantly at the back of my mind is fear that I won't like who I'll become, mixed with the knowledge that my upbringing and the many people that have been influential in my life have given me the guidance so that I should not doubt myself so. Those of you who know me know that this is to a degree inevitable, although I'm working on it...
Being here at Princeton for the past few days has been an amazing experience. The people that I have met and formed relationships with are stimulating and come from a myriad of backgrounds and perspectives. It is amazing to think that I will be friends with these people for at least the next five years, if not my whole life. At this time, it is enough to just sit and soak in the moment with the knowledge that I have a whole life ahead of me, full of opportunities to serve and travel that I cannot even begin to fathom.
The onset of this new experience has not lacked those experiences that are short-lived yet memorable. The first night that I spent at Princeton I was awoken at 2 am by a blaring fire alarm. For the first few minutes I tried to sleep through it convinced that it was my phone alarm and completely oblivious to the urgency of the situation. My roommate, Azza (who is really cool, by the way), threw something at me (apparently; I don't really remember that part) and I eventually stumbled out into the hallway clutching a sweater. As soon as we walked outside we remembered that Princeton was in the middle of a hurricane--in fact, we weren't even supposed to step outside until 5 pm the next day (the University was on shut-down). Irene was nice, though, and resumed dumping rain once we were given the clearance to head back into the building. Even though our suit companions and ourselves staggered out visibly shaken 5 minutes later than we should have, all of the other Bridge Year participants stumbled out later than we did. Of two things we were sure after that experience: we have a deep hatred for the Princeton fire alarms, and if this had been a test we had failed miserably.
Tomorrow is my last whole day in the States. I'm excited yet conscious of the change that my life is on the verge of undergoing. I'd like to thank all of those people who have helped me get to where I am today and have equipped me with the tools necessary to handle myself in any given situation and view any experience as an opportunity to learn: teachers, friends, my church, my family, my parents, and my sister. These interactions and relationships I will carry with me as I move forward. God bless.
This is Yentli signing out. ;)
P.S. Reach me at yesotoalbrecht@gmail.com, or contact me through Skype (username yesotoalbrecht).
