All 26 of us have officially been kicked out of our bedrooms in the William Penn house in D.C., and have been moved downstairs to a meeting room where we are unpacking and repacking our bags, trying to understand how we can go 8 months with only 1 (or 2? or 3?) pairs of pants. And should I send home my tennis shoes? and do I really need that toothbrush? well, no none of us have gone so far as to ditch the toothbrush...yet.
Its a bizarre feeling to hold all of your necessary belongs on your back. Though I sent home an entire bag of things that I did not really need, including my cell phone, I still have managed to keep a few superfluous goodies. I have an extra book of poetry, and a robe that I will probably never wear. I have a bikini that is entirely inappropriate for the majority of our trip. I have 14 pairs of underwear.
We are all anxious to leave, and anxious to get where we are going. But thankfully, we are all anxious together. Its all I can do to keep from chewing my nails off, and I don't want to stay here but I couldn't possibly leave. I feel like we will be uprooted repeatedly, until we forget what roots ever felt like in the first place. every week a new place, and one Alum estimated that he slept in over 70 beds during the year. It makes you appreciate your own skin.

I hope that everyone that I love will take a second to love their skin, the only true home we have. And the people you surround yourself with everyday can become your family. All 25 of these students has a special place in my heart, and I fall in love with each of them a little more everyday. we are each others family. And you can make a family everywhere you go, as long as you fill your heart with love, and fill your mind with curiosity.

I love you all