18 hours, 30 minutes. and 20 seconds, but who's counting?

Well, it is my last night in Nebraska. I'm sitting on my bed, looking at my suitcases, amazed at how quickly and slowly the last month has been. It's been a fun month though, full of friends and socializing. Last night I had a get together at grandma's and it was so much fun. I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to say my goodbyes to everyone! Today Tia and I spent some much needed time together. We went shopping and I about wanted to kill her because she is just so picky about what she wears. I'm glad that we had some one on one time together though. I just printed all of my documents: tickets, travelers insurances, contact information, background check, ect..Tomorrow Kayla is taking me to Omaha where I fly out at 6:45 P.M. But knowing my luck there will be a delay or cancelation. It's fine with me though because from Omaha I fly to Dallas, then to Miami (where I have a nine hour delay), Bogota Colombia, and then finnnnnally 24 hours later, Cartagena! I looked it up on the map and I am walking distance away from a beach. I will be coming back so much more darker than I already am! I cannot wait. Then, on Tuesday, I will begin orientation and training where they will tell me some rules and expectations. I will have an interview in order to decide what department I will be working at and what exactly I will be doing. I can be teaching English in an orphanage to working with elderly women to helping in a clinic test for HIV/AIDS, which, as a PHIVEO member of Hastings College, would be an awesome experience. No matter what, I know I will have fun and learn some new things. I'm going into this trip with an open mind. It's the first time I've gone anywhere by myself. I don't know a soul, but I know I'm going to make some friends. I'll be living in an apartment with other volunteers, so at least I will for sure get to know them. Anyway, this is just a quick update! I cant wait to begin my adventures!

Pre-Colombia/ Pre Melt Down

Welllllll, my next journey is about to begin! As I prepare for Colombia, I have come to one final conclusion: Packing is a bitch. Sorry to my family for that language, but good Lord! Anti malaria pills, aspirin, antibiotics, shampoo, traveler's insurance, criminal background check, supplies for my project, Spanish books, dresses, work clothes, ect. THIS LIST NEVER ENDS! I luckily booked with American Airlines after April something, so I get TWO free checked bags, which let me tell you, is a blessing because how the hell was I supposed to pack a sleeping bag and my shit in one checked back?! GOD BLESS AMERICAN AIRLINES FOR REAL. I already give them a five star rating, but don't tell Delta because I have a Gold credit card through them and the benefits are just amazing! I should really be a promoter here. Anyway, this is just a quick entry about what I'm up to, because I think people are starting to get confused about what I'm doing with my life. I think I am even confused. But I cannot wait to begin this adventure, and I am so blessed to be able to follow my dreams. I cannot express enough gratitude for the support I receive from friends, family, and even strangers! I known that this is what I want to do with my future. Before attending Hastings College, I had gone to one country: Costa Rica. It was a class trip, and it was a blast. Now, three years later, I have visited six countries, and by January, it will be eight: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Colombia, and Spain. That's only 2% of the world's countries though, so its clear I have a lot to do.  Luckily, I'm only 20 and have a bright future of traveling the world ahead of me!