Leaving Tomorrow!

(Well, technically leaving today since it's past midnight..) I cannot believe that after an entire year of applying and preparing I'm finally leaving for my exchange! After all of the paperwork, the interview, the country assignment, the first orientation, the host guarantee form, Grand Rapids, contacting my host family, getting my visa, getting my plane ticket, and attempting to pack everything I need into one huge rolling suitcase, one carry on, and a backpack, the time has finally come.  

This past week has been weird to say the least. Saying goodbye to all my friends and family has been difficult to say the least, but knowing I'll be back in just 10 months makes it not so horrible. After a surprise going away party thrown by my friends, going away BBQ with old family friends (complete with a bouncy castle), and traveling all around Carmel to say goodbye to everyone the time has finally come. Special thanks for all of the amazing going away presents!

My mom and me with the Chilean flag now hanging in our backyard (:

I'm completely ready to move on to my next stage and have the time of my life. I am so insanely excited right now and have barely slept all week. I can't stop thinking about Chile. On Sunday at 8:35 I'll finally be there. Let the adventure begin!