So close yet so far

Tonight's realizations:
1. I will not be getting any sleep. I would have to be up in an hour anyway (4am..yuck).
2. It is alot harder to keep a check in suitcase under 51 lbs than I originally thought.
3. I have a huge fear that my luggage will be lost, and thus have tried to fit everything of importance into my carry on. Lord knows how I'm going to lift it above my head into the overhead compartments.
4. Goodbyes suck.
5. Despite the fact I feel that I currently don't feel ready to go, I doubt I would ever feel completely prepared.
6. Online traffic schools have hilarious names! (i.e. Ticket Toaster, Comedy School for Less, California Jammin traffic school) almost funny enough to forget I have to do it..
7. Watching Lost and Taken before my trip probably wasn't the smartest idea, as much as I enjoy them.

Crazy that next time I write on here, I will be in Greece!
But separating me from paradise is a long day of traveling: from SD to New York to London and finally to Athens.
Time for an adventure!

Sickness just punched me in the face

I'm pretty satisfied with being single..until I get sick. Something about it just brings out the "cheesiness" ...all of a sudden I just want someone to rub my back, to eat warm food with, and cuddle with while watching movie marathons.
Hopefully I make a full recovery by Wednesday, really not feeling long plane flights right now.
Thankfully I have these lifesavers (courtesy of my amazing friends & mom), Season 9 of Friends, AND Bridesmaids to watch/look forward to.

Why they are on my bucket list...

Looking ahead: my bucket list

Bucket list:
Take a cooking class
Spend 24 hours at a 24 Hour Fitness
Take a contemporary/lyrical dance class
Attend a fashion show
Travel more! (Spain, Italy, Australia, Colorado/Oregon, Egypt, etc..)
Know at least four foreign languages
Go wine tasting with friends (Napa?)
Explore Yosemite
See more concerts! (Coldplay, John Mayer, The Script, Ingrid Michaelson, etc..)
Go on a "chalk walk"
Paddle board
Learn to drive stick shift
Try all cheesecake flavors at The Cheesecake Factory (not all at once!)
Attend the sky lantern festival in Taiwan

Ride on the back of a motorcycle
Make a piece of pottery on a potters wheel
Watch the ball drop in NY on new years
Successfully overhand serve a volleyball
Have a good conversation with a celebrity
Learn to scuba dive
Go to a masquerade
Participate in a flash mob
Burn a pair of Crocs (sorry Taylor Daniel, Jess Wagner, and the select few that enjoy the horrendous things)
Ride on an elephant
Go Rock Climbing
Renovate an old house
Play Twister with paint in all white clothing
Run a half marathon

to be continued...

I saw *sparks*

So it's amazing how a night can do a complete 180. I had a great weekend on a mini road trip with some friends, and I came back tonight exhausted and even the simplest things in my normal routine were starting to feel like huge obstacles. And so I prayed.
This isn't some huge miracle "and then everything in my life sorted itself out" kinda deal. But it's almost as if God allowed my mind to take a step back and realize that zooming in and freaking out about the smallest particles of my life isn't going to help anything.
For example: I've been stressing over trying to figure out rooming details for next year, my last year in college. And considering I'm studying abroad, I have to figure that detail out sooner than later. Lindsay, Haley, Katie (best friends from home) and I were going to try and find an apartment in La Jolla area, and as excited as I was to live with them, a part of me still is tied to campus and the idea that next year will be my last year to live in a college dorm. To experience all that Loma has to offer. To soak up all the time with my friends there, the activities there (i.e. late night burrito runs), and sure even the classes (although to be real, academics tends to take the back burner sometimes). I have the rest of my life to live in an apartment and be an adult and settle down. But why not make the most of where I'm currently at? Young and in college, figuring life out, and now with the opportunity to travel!
Meaning Greece.
As scared as I am to go, I'm not sure when I'm going to get another opportunity like this, and I am not willing to let not going be a regret that I end up having. Who knows what I will learn while I'm there, who I will meet, places I will visit, the overall culture I will experience.
So thankfully the motivation has sparked in me again :) and I've been reminded that prayer helps.

Getting ready!

If I've realized anything about myself, it's that I tend to put off all the important details until right before things need to be done. For example: I'm studying abroad in Paros, Greece in about 3 weeks, and still have countless little things to do before I go. Not to mention a couple big things such as taking care of my first speeding ticket, and figuring out housing for next year.
But another realization I've made is that freaking out helps nothing.
So I've made a (lengthy) list, and plan to accomplish an item each day.
Or maybe one every two days would be a little more realistic.

I've had some Easy Learning Greek CDs in my car for the past month. Have a few simple words down, but let me tell you, the "easy learning" part of the title is a lie. And I'm usually pretty good with learning new languages. I know once I get over there, I'm going to accidentally bust out some Spanish or ASL and look completely stupid. But it's okay. I'm sure there will be plenty more moments of stupidity while I'm there. And that's what this wonderful blog is for, documenting all the memorable moments along my journey.
Still can hardly believe I'm going...curious what jet lag is going to do to me. I'm currently practically nocturnal, so will the time shift be easier or harder? Or maybe just the same? I'll find out soon enough.

With all the many emotions that are being raised with the coming of this experience (nervousness, slight panic of leaving family and friends for 3 months, but for the most part excitement of this new adventure) I have been learning to trust God with even the smallest of details.
Prayer appreciated!