8. Days.

In 8 days I will be going to the airport, saying my final goodbyes to my parents, and getting on a flight to Dallas. Which then goes to LA. Which then (finally) goes to Auckland. I will be on a plane/in the airport for about 24 hours. Clearly, I need to bring a few books and make sure my iPod is fully charged. But still, 8. days.

I think it's good that I'm having a couple weeks to just hang out and get everything together. I've been spending time with my friends and family, getting everything in order (just said that), and (in the next few days) actually starting to pack. I should also probably clean my bedroom, because it still is a mess from moving back home. There have only been a few days where there was a walking path from the side of my bed to the door.. Anyway. These couple weeks have been going between being super busy and completely boring/uneventful, and I am so ready to have new experiences every day and actually remember what it's like to wear less than three layers of clothing and let my hair air dry (because it won't freeze in New Zealand, so no need, right?) I have been getting so much email from IES lately that everyday I get something new that reminds me of what is coming soon - today was the exciting task of printing out my HTH heath insurance card. Let the party begin.

I had such an immensely fabulous J-term, though, and so I am really sad about leaving. In the study abroad handbooks they tell you that coming back from studying abroad is really hard, as friendships will change, not just me. I know it's going to be really hard to see pictures of my friends up on facebook while I'm abroad or hear about endless hours at tech week and be bummed that I won't be there to join in. I know I'm going to get really homesick, but that's what skype was made for. And maybe [super expensive] air mail? I'm preparing myself for homesickness, but hope it won't hit me for at least a few weeks. With all of my amazing orientation activities and the thrill of being all on my own in someplace new, I'm sure it won't happen right away. How could it?

But anyway, I am so, so, SO excited for this adventure. Today my mom and I went out and got me a raincoat, a lightweight fleece jacket, a few swimsuits, some hiking socks (yeah!), and put some waterproof hiking boots on hold (legitimately don't think I've owned hiking boots since my pink and purple ones I had when I was 4). All of which are items I would not normally purchase, at least in February. I have a long list of other things I need to get - actually buying the hiking boots for one, getting a Let's Go! New Zealand book, a plug transformer and converter, travel size toiletries for the first couple days, and the list goes on. I also need some closed toed semi-nice shoes for going out, as my foot shape has changed since my surgery and the ones I have don't fit anymore, as well as some good walking shoes. Yeah, I'm going to become an outdoorsy person once again. I'm pretty pumped about that.

Eight. Freaking. Days.