My bags are packed... I'm ready to go...

It seems like the last month has gone by so quickly! Now Christmas has come and gone and I'm leaving for India tomorrow!! I got back to Iowa City this afternoon and got my suitcase packed. I had to make a quick trip to Wal-Mart for a couple last minute things, but now I'm ready! It was much more difficult to decide what to take than I'd thought it would be! I looked at some discussion threads online for advice and I think I've finally got some acceptable attire packed. It's considered very offensive for women in India to show too much skin, and so we were told not to bring tank tops and low cut or short tops. This wouldn't have been an issue, but the weather where I'm going has been consistently in the low 80's since I started monitoring it a week ago! The overnight lows have only been in the 60's. I'm definitely not complaining and I'm looking forward to the next 3 weeks free of heavy coats and boots!

It's going to be weird to be without my phone since it's basically like an appendage to me! I'll be leaving it at home so it doesn't get lost or stolen while I'm not able to use it anyway! I'll have access to the internet and I'll be trying to update this blog daily or every couple of days while I'm gone.

The most common question I've gotten over the past few weeks has been "Are you nervous?" The answer, surprisingly, is no! If I felt nervous at all, I'd find myself quoting Armagedden - "90% excited, 10% nervous" but I don't really feel nervous at all! I'm just 100% excited! This will be my first time out of the country, and while it's a little strange to be doing it with total strangers, that only adds to my excitement! I'm sure I'll end up with some great friends by the end of the first day... afterall, we'll be spending 25 hours on an airplane together! There are so many things I'm looking forward to I can't even being to list them now... I'll share them as I come across them in the next few weeks!

Thank you to all of you who have sent prayers and wishes for safe travels and fun times!! I appreciate your thoughts! I am so excited to begin this journey!! Bus call is at 9 am, so I better try to get some rest!! (after I put away all the clothes that didn't make the cut that are currently stacked on my bed!)