And so the journey begins..

Farewell America! 

I depart from the land of overindulgence and "#firstworldproblems" to a completely new culture..

Considering it is midnight, I can officially say that today is the day I leave! Wild. Looking around my room there are clothes hanging from my bed, paperwork all over my desk, and not a single thing is put into my carry on or duffle bag. Yes, I do leave packing till the last minute, mostly due to my overly anal need to literally see everything I'm bringing until the last few hours before I leave (in case I've forgotten any item I've triple checked myself and with every member in my family). On the agenda tonight is still an online training module and creating an organic chemistry lesson plan or two for the girls school we are visiting. I'll sleep on those couple 9 hour night flights..right? 

I must say I'm going to miss the best family and friends I could ask for. My amazing roommates planned a great night for us last night and I got to see so many of my favorite people! It was a great time to catch up with everyone after finals, non-stressed style. I'll put up some pictures from the night! And tonight, I feasted with my family for my last American meal for a while. It's not like my family to pass up any possible occasion to celebrate, so my departure of course made the cut. And what is a celebration without a dinner? Sent off with perfectly cooked and seasoned pork-chops in a delicious pineapple and brown sugar jam, asparagus,  roasted sweet potatoes and strawberries and cream (Tommy--stop drooling), I couldn't be more satisfied. That meal may have made it a little harder for me to eat granola bars as meal supplements for the next month, though! After the past couple days I have managed to fit in everything I wanted to do before I left, even a little tennis! The only thing I'm anticipating before I leave are my grades. And you people know me & my grades--its serious business. Lets just say, Dad--If you get some roaming data charges on the phone bill while I'm in Amsterdam, don't worry, it will just be me checking One Stop compulsively on my phone for my grades once the plane lands!! 

I'm not one for emotional goodbyes (and let's be honest, I'm really not leaving for that long--no Mom, its really not that long!) so I didn't surprise myself in my casual goodbyes last night. A tearful goodbye to my roommate Ashley, though, did catch me a little off guard! I do really have her to thank for a great night. I can't wait to tell you guys all about this adventure! And my little niece Helena is already so much bigger, I can only imagine she's going to basically be a grown up by the time I get back. Okay, maybe just a little bigger :) Annie and Bridget, tell her to slow down until I get back. 

For now I must get busy. Enjoy some pics from last night! (Also slippin in a pic from the half marathon for my Grams!) 

Dinner with all my favorites! 

Can I "Shake it Out" in Africa for you ladies?!

Stop it. Miss you already. 

A little picture shout out to my Ochem savants--We got through it!! :) 

How could I not miss this family--Especially you Grandma!! 

I have a 4 day voyage to Bukoba ahead of me && will let y'all know when I get there! xoxo