I'm am feeling a mixture of emotions about everything right now. First off, I'm so so excited about going on this trip, it is certainly a dream come true for me since I've always wanted to go on SAS, travel abroad, sail on a Titanic ship, experience new cultures etc. I'm so lucky to be going on this and so grateful to my parents for sending me. It's the greatest experience someone can have and I'm so excited to share it with everyone when I get back.
I'm also a little nervous. Mainly because I don't know a single person going. I mean I do know of some people going on the trip and talked to them about stuff, but all through facebook so I don't know if that counts, haha. It is comforting to think that I already do have some friends, I just haven't met them in person yet. I've been chatting with quite a few people and have planned a few independent trips in some countries with some of them as well. I just worry too much I guess. No need to though, everyone is in the same boat as me :) I know I'm gonna meet lots of awesome people that share my passion for travel and I hope to make some great friendships to last for a lifetime. I tend to worry too much about things but I just want everything to work out great with no worries, make lots of new friends, memories that last a lifetime, and have such a great time and learn and grow on this trip. I just want it to be a blast! I've been looking forward to it for so long, and don't want to be let down. But how could I with all that's been planned and just being on the ship itself with everyone. I really hope its a great time :)
I have been on many trips and tours where I did and didn't know anyone, but then again I was also in sort of a supervised setting whereas this, is not so much. Its on your own basically. Which is a good experience. I just wish I knew someone hehe.
I am kinda sad about leaving home. I have been away from home many many times for extended periods of time, but still there is a little bit of sadness that comes with leaving again. I love my house, yard, family, home more than anything and am happiest there. Also, I will not only leaving behind my family and home but my three kitties that I adopted from the humane society this past year. Zoey and the two little babies Lilly and Leo (formerly Vader). The poor things will think I'm abandoning them. I can't wait to get back to see them. And hopefully my parents will keep them indoors at all times so I know they will be there when I get back. I'll miss my kitties, especially at night when I have noone to cuddle with lol.
I will also miss my friends very much, hanging out and talking. But I know I'll make friends while on this trip that hopefully last much longer. I can't wait to share my life with people and share everything when I get back and see my friends again, Miss you!!! :)
It's a comfort to know also, that people will be reading my blog. It's as if you are right here with me sharing my experiences along with me as well and I find that very exciting and am very appreciative. I hope that you continue to read it and enjoy it. I put alot of work into it so bookmark me! I really am going to update as much as I am able. Hopefully I can try and ration my internet minutes. I also hope to figure out how to upload pictures on here as well.
I'm kind of in a daze right now. I haven't even started packing yet and I leave in four days for 4 months (look at that variation, lol!). My Dad and I have been working together to try and get all my paperwork in, make copies of all the documents, signing up for field trips, faxing and emailing forms in and making sure everything is going smoothly. My mom and I went to Verizon yesterday and my phone is scheduled to be shut off January 21st until May 5th. I will have it with me to use on my trip down and on the way back. And if I'm lucky I'll be able to use it as an alarm clock or to take pictures or video still. We went to Target today to buy various items needed for my trip abroad such as toiletry items, medicines, blank CD's, snacks, things to pass time and other random things.
Hopefully the snowstorms stay away for this weekend, I don't really have time for a flight to be delayed or cancelled. I'm not looking forward to flying out, particularly because I will be spending the night in the airport. I fly out of Cedar Rapids to Chicago Friday afternoon, have a layover in Chicago until about 9 at night and then catch a plane to Philadelphia and then I get to stay up all night as much as I can in some random unpopulated corner of the airport until I check in and board my flight to the Bahamas early that next morning. Ugh, I'm going to be very tired that day. I'm not flying to the Bahamas just so I can sleep the day away in the hotel. I'll have my phone with me, so feel free to call/text me to keep me awake, make sure I wasn't kidnapped, or make sure I'm up to catch my flight.
I'm doing a program with a grade school in Connecticut in which they send me letters at each port and then I mail them a postcard/letter/little gifts back to their classroom so that they can learn about the different countries that I am traveling to, a sort of vicarious voyage! It's exciting and I'm excited to be a part of it. I already sent them my first letter and look forward to receiving a letter in my first port Spain.
If anyone is interested in sending me letters/postcards or gifts I would love to have them. It's so nice to feel close to home when you're so far away and out of your box. On the right hand toolbar of my blog there is a list of website links...one of them is for communication with me and lists the addresses of each port and at which time is appropriate to mail out in order for it to arrive to the country and port on time so that I may receive it. I will also be sending out postcards in as many ports as I can to those who requested one, gave me addresses or those I remember.
Please be sure to check out those websites, all are SAS links...the main page, the academics, about the program, the itinerary, how to apply and even a short promotional video about the program. The longer video SAS sends upon request is much better and more informational obviously, but its still good! Check them out!! :) I put alot of work into this site so enjoy!
It's always a difficult thing to do, to jump out of your comfort zone, immerse yourself in a brand new culture, not knowing anyone and travel with only the clothes on your back. But its so exciting!!! I love the Mark Twain quote that SAS uses for their voyages and find alot of truth in it. You never know until you try. You only got one life, so make the best of it. And just go for it. You might be nervous or scared but you'll regret it more if you never pursued the adventure.
Well this is turning out to be a long post and I want to get back to watching the Golden Globes, so I will bring it to an end. I will be back later to regale more details about the preparations and excitement for my trip and expect to hear alot more adventures once it actually begins!! So excited and I can't wait!!!!
later loves,
Em
Hey Emily,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand how you feel about not knowing anyone. I don't know when you get to Nassau, but if you wanted to meet up let me know!
Kendra