Butterflies and progression

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but got busy and forgot… (see below for today's update!)
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6 days before I leave for Costa Rica. I am nervous and have massive amounts of butterflies in my stomach almost all the time. I woke up yesterday (Sunday) and was like, “OMG this time next week I will be on a plane!” and then I started panicking because I haven’t started packing and have no where close to all the “supplies” (more dresses, travelers checks, hiking shoes, etc..) that I will need. After my brief freak out, I at least brought my suit cases up stairs and started a pile of stuff to pack... I then laid out in the sun because I don’t want to be such a güera when I go there.

I have started saying “goodbye” to people. After the parties last weekend, and the dinner plans and wedding this week/weekend, I will have seen at least majority of my friends and family. I know: it’s not like I won’t be coming back in 5 weeks, but still… It’s going to be hard to say “goodbye” to one person in particular though. Not looking forward to that.

Beyond my nervousness, I am also curious and EXCITED! I wonder about a lot of things. I wonder how I will get to school the first day!? And if I will get robbed! (I have heard horror stories.) I wonder how long my money will last me! Anyone who knows me knows that if I get $10, I some how manage to spend $11. And conserving money for 5 weeks! Yeah right. This will be a true test. I wonder if Mami’s cooking is as good as she says it is, and if there will be AC in the house! I wonder if I will be the oldest person in the program since I’m not exactly “college age”… I wonder about the nightlife and how much my Spanish will improve. I wonder about the people I will meet and the places I will see. I wonder if having so much rain and humidity will ruin my camera!! I hope not! I wonder about the bugs and the other student that is staying in the house! I hope we get along! I wonder how long it will take before I start dreaming in Spanish. That’s always funny to me. I speak so much better in my dreams! :)

Anyway, I am freaking out a little bit about how much my life is changing but I have worked hard for this opportunity and I know everything will work out and be absolutely AMAZING. There are lots of things to wrap up at work, and lots packing to do; I also still have to finalize my classes- they keep switching! But all in all, this thing is certainly rolling, and a week from today I will be sitting in my first class in Costa Rica.

I promise I will update you as much as I can and post a lot of pictures! I am going to miss everyone so much. :)

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Since yesterday, some progress has been made with packing… I have already filled one suit case with clothes and am getting scared for how much it is going to cost me to check all my bags, because I need probably a whole ‘nother one for shoes and toiletries. Think about it, what would you bring if you were leaving for 5 weeks?! EVERYTHING! I also spent about 2 hours at the book store last night finding the perfect Spanish dictionaries and Costa Rica travel books. I am going to bring Mami a book of Chicago as well as some Cubs stuff as a thank you present for taking me in. I hope she likes it!!

5 days to go. I feel like this: lkadlkfaklj!!!! I am getting more and more excited. I know these next few days are going to fly by.