We have 22 days left in Armenia and I still cannot believe that I am here. Waking up in the morning, looking out of my bedroom window, I am still amazed that I am in my motherland. I feel so honored and blessed to even have the opportunity to be on this trip. Last night I ran into two of my friends who came to Armenia with the Eastern Diocese and apparently there are 5 more of my friends in the same group. This summer has been the summer of coming to Armenia among my friends. A piece of home is with me now. If they’re not someone I’ve met before, they have some connection to my friends. I love running into Diaspora and being able to talk about mutual friends, church, camp, and life in general. I’m having way too much fun here in Armenia with my friends than I think I’ve ever had with them before in America at Hye Camp or St. Nersess. Being in Armenia alone makes life 10 times better.

Going to the museums and monuments have really inspired me and touched me. I’ve never been one who likes writing non-fiction, but I’ve been taking notes and pictures everyday; once I get home, I’m going to start writing as much as I possibly can about Armenia. That will be the first book I have published, I promise. For those who did not go to Kharabakh, we went to Sartarabad on Saturday and had a little picnic by the monument. The statue and the bells are amazingly beautiful. As we were walking up to the monument, the bells began to ring and my eyes began to fill with tears. That seems to happen almost everywhere we go. I am so overwhelmed with the beauty and significance of every place we’ve been to that I can’t control my emotions. I wish I could upload the pictures we took at Sartarabad, they look very nice. Keep an eye out for this picture Paul took of Sartarabad — it’s the reflection of the monument off of Peter’s sunglasses.

Seriously though, there are only 22 more days (not counting today) that CYMA 2007 is going to be in Armenia. I’ve met the other groups that have come to Armenia 3-8 weeks, and I can honestly say that I am happy that I came with CYMA. The people in the other groups are fun and nice, but with CYMA I feel like I’m with family. I have gained close friends as well as brothers and sisters. With CYMA I’ve seen the sites and learned more about Armenia. I’m excited to see what other sites CYMA will be taking us, and I’ll know wherever we may go, that we’ll have the best of times. The end is so soon, but I don’t want to leave Armenia! Ever since last Wednesday, I’ve vowed to make the most of every day, no matter if I’m tired or any other excuse. So far, this trip has been amazing, but from now on, it’s going to become a lot better. Every day is a new day and a new adventure.