Down to the wire

Let me just say this: sure its very glamorous to move to a foreign country for 6 months, but by no means is it easy to do so. All the piddly little things like making sure you bank isn't going to fee you to death before you go, setting up your payment plans for loans, etc, really end up taking up a lot of your time and causing much frustration.  As of this morning, all of my packing is nearly complete, just waiting on a load of laundry to dry to finish the one suitcase, and then packing my carry on with all my "airline approved" bottles, books, journals, the like.  I have all my required documentation all ready to go. I've read everything I can at least twice regarding the culture, what to expect, how my first week is going to be handled, and all that fun stuff.

I was reading another gal's blog about moving abroad and she had a really funny point.  She was commenting on how everyone's response was the same: "What a great opportunity for you, maybe you will fall in love."  And like her, I would agree and say if one more person tells me I might fall in love over there, I might snap!!  Can't we just go over there for ourselves? Does it have to be in pursuit of a man?  And yes, it's glamorous in theory to move half way around the world "to find yourself," but I have a feeling the first time I squat over a hole in the ground I will literally LOL thinking how unglamorous this whole adventure really is.

All that being said, I am so DAMNED excited I can barely think. My brain is going a mile a minute.  I cannot wait to begin this chapter of my life!!! It will be by far the coolest thing I can ever imagine doing and I just absolutely cannot stand to wait 4 more days! But just a word to the wise: don't think its easy to just hit pause for 6 months. Unless of course you are still in school or you have no bills.  Then it shouldn't be that hard, and pay no mind to the girl behind the monitor. ;)

10 days

I think my family is in denial.

At least, I think my dad and brothers are anyway. Mom seems to get it; she has started giving me crap again which oddly enough, I appreciate.  She and our friend Cheri were talking about loving your children even when you hate them, and she made sure to use Thailand as an example.

11 days to go...

The party is over, the National is over, just a few more bar tending shifts and some tear filled good-byes left before I board the plane to my biggest adventure yet.  Has it sunk in yet? Nope. When do I think it will?? Probably not until I am unpacking my suitcases in my new apartment somewhere in rural Thailand.  Since the first week is spent at a resort with dozens of other 20 somethings, all of whom speak English, I would imagine it still won't be sinking in at that point.  Don't get me wrong, sitting in the airport in Turkey I'm sure my psyche will realize that this is a new experience I am about to undertake.  The butterflies are a lot more friendly now though, knowing I have my passport and visa, plane ticket is purchased... just a few loose ends left to tie up.  Stay posted! xoxox