Anticipating the Peace

It's incredible how I can get excited about going camping sometimes or how motivated I can get when just looking at equipment. I was looking at some new cookware at Walmart tonight and just starting turning the gears in my mind about a post-New Year trip that I want to take, my first solo. It will be at least a week and a half before I can get out of this web of laziness and do some hiking. I have been home for the break and I have been productive around the house and spending time with my family but I can just see myself lingering on the plans of getting out into the cold weather worthy of hiking and camping in this fine state. The hills of the Ozarks or the flats of the Ouachita are simply glorious and I cannot wait. I think I anticipate this solo more because it is just that. I have never legitimately gone off alone in the woods and spent time on my own, doing everything on my own. I want to be alone and not "not do anything" but to actually "do nothing." Some friends and I spent time talking about the two and I look forward to my trip all the more.

After my first semester at school, I have learned that I need to focus and this retreat could not come at a better time. A refreshment to begin the New Year sits perfectly with my plans. I plan to go to Haiti and do much better in school and I fear that the complacency of being home will hinder those things. I want to be in the best position that I can be in when I fly into Hispaniola, preparing to be shocked by what I find and do my very small yet effective part to move the wheels of faith in that country. I want to learn this semester, not simply get through class. I found that I could have benefited so much from classes last semester had I put stock in them rather than getting by. I anticipate the clearing of the mind, the reflection on this year and the preperation for the next. Maybe I will even get to use some new cookware...