Mandatory Pre-Departure Blog Post

So, I´ve already started the whole blogging experience by amusing myself. I like the title that came to me for the post. Most trips college students take have mandatory pre-departure meetings and the new phenomenom among college students to document their experiences abroad (as noted by my friend Ben) seems to have created a parallel, electronic version of these meetings in the form of a blog post written right before the plane ride. So this is me, following the pack, and writing my own. I will attempt to break stride and establish myself as a unique individual by trying to write something different. I will be completely honest. I am driving to the airport in less than 9 hours and I am not ready. I´ve got to finish packing--I do have a pretty good start on that. Then I need to finish cleaning and organizing my room so I have something decent to come back to. Lastly, and most importantly, I need to finish my lesson plans. I seriously should have had these done weeks ago but I don´t. I´ve barely started typing 4 lesson plans and my understanding is that I need 10 completed ones in less than 9 hours. I repeat the limited time frame because I don´t think I´ll get to sleep before I get on the plane whisking me away to El Salvador. So, that´s where I am as I get ready to leave the United States for the first time. A few shout-outs in this post--my lovely sister Carolyn, who has made me laugh and has been a constant source of help and encouragement these few weeks at home; my Mom, who reminded me again of how much she means to me and why she makes me keep going; and, last but certainly not least, a very special shout-out to all of the people who supported me financially on my trip and made it possible. I appreciate you more than you know. For example, I have to worry about packing in time and not how to feed myself when I´m there. Thanks so much and I hope you keep up with this blog to know what work your money supported. That´s all for tonight. I really do have to finish packing, cleaning, and lesson plans. The next time all of you hear from me I won´t be stateside, for the first time in my life!