In a Daze

I am currently in the library but am thinking about the chaos that has erupted in the past few days. I just left the bank after having a meeting. They put the information (and countries) into their system so that I won't have any trouble accessing my monies overseas. It was funny watching her face as I told her each country. People immediately become surprised, ask a few questions (how on earth did I get into it), and admit a sense of jealousy. Anyhow, that would be a BAD situation if my account froze because of their interpretation of suspicious withdrawals and purchases haha. There is of course a catch, if I obviously lose my card, but let's hope that doesn't happen. I also got a withdrawal of $250 in ones (as suggested for tipping etc). The teller came back and placed 3 thick stacks in my hand. I was shocked and immediately freaked out asking if there was an envelope or bag to put it in. She laughed and together we sorted it into 50's in 5 white envelopes. Definitely a moment to remember.

 I leave for Nassau on Sunday. My flight out of the Philadelphia International Airport is at 9:45 am and it is (fortunately) a non-stop one. I am scheduled to arrive by 1:03 pm. I haven't even figured out how I am going to get there since my mom isn't a fan of driving long distances...the probability of my brother using her car to drop me off is slim (and I personally don't know if I would feel comfortable with him driving back alone from Philly). I could take a cab which should be ridiculously expensive - probably in the $30 range. Thenn... there's the discussion of the hotel situation once I arrive in Nassau. Thanks to Semester at Sea there is an awesome page for the 2011 voyagers which has been a "Go To" source for any need-to know information as well as networking. I've corresponded with some folks and we are going to split the cost of a hotel room. The cost from the airport to this particular hotel is about $27 go figure. Then, the girl who put the reservation/deposit down won't be arriving until later that evening and I and another boy will so we are having a conference call tonight about that. She said she put our names on the reservations but hey, just want a smooth transition.

Somehow, it just began to sink in that I am leaving. Not just for a week, but a week times... many. How do I pack for it? Suddenly, my plan to condense all of my (hopefully adequate) things into one suitcase, did not seem so smart. The result: a constant cycle of packing and repacking. Because there will be no one accompanying me to the Bahamas, I am not a fan of struggling tremendously with uncooperative luggage. I was pretty disappointed at first. I mean, most parents and friends do this. It's part of the ritual you see in movies, shows and hey, even the Semester at Sea DVD. They watch you climb onto the ship and hold up signs and wave, tears streaming as we pull away from the dock. Then you are supposed to be overcome with emotion and get all dramatic with the other abandoned seamates and we all hold hands and sing "Titanic" or "Circle of Life" as the ship rocks into the looming unknown. I gave my best friend a hard time the most about not being available to join me in the Bahamas. I've known him since I was 16 years old and though we have had incredible rough patches, he is my rock. Fast forward, I had to grasp that this was an even bigger indication that life will take us places and sometimes we must take them on separately. Throughout life we pick back up where we stopped off, but never should we, stop advancing our horizons and hold each other back due to fear.

Back to the packing issue... Actually, whenever I took trips whether overnight or the week or so I spent in Colorado, Summer 2010, I used one bag. I used the roll and fold method and it hasn't failed me...yet. I am an advocate for packing light or packing smart. However, this particular situation makes me question my packing skills and whether my reasoning for leaving out a lot of things will cost me financially at some point in my trip. I mean think about it. I am leaving Sunday, January 9th. I won't come back to the states (and California at that! Sunshine state) until April 24th. I am going to experience all climates: rainy, hot, cold and mid. I also didn't mention that I am basically packing all of my items and products into that suitcase as well. So virtually half of it is already taken up by that alone. I didn't want to have pay for having another "checked" suitcase if I separated my things. Plus, that would encourage me to pack more and bring things that may be unnecessary... I am anticipating a fat fee of $100+ for my duffel suitcase already. Luckily my carry on is free.

Another thing that is troubling is my plans after I return. I graduate a week after we arrive - May 7th. I spoke to my school's registrar and bursars office and inform them about my absence this spring. They said to be sure to apply for graduation by February 1st online, and to avoid having a hold placed on my account for the fee,  mail a check for the payment now and write in the memo "graduation fee payment." That took a load off of me. As for picking up my gown, I will ask one of my friends to grab mines and hold on to it. I also am debating which graduation pictures to order haha. I remember taking them back in October. It was an eerie moment for me. It finally hit me that four successful years were coming to an end. The photographer was curt and uninterested in the significance of the moment and as with all professional photos, you are expected to bend in unnatural poses haha. But overall, I was satisfied with the proofs and will be buying something... just not sure which one and how many. Who gives out graduation pictures anymore? The last pictures I purchased was back in 5th grade. 8th grade I only brought the yearbook. 12th grade... I kept my proofs. So I guess it is about time.

I recently got accepted into the AmeriCorps program: City Year. It's a minimum of one year - I am certain that I will reapply for the second year for possibly a new or same location. It hosts a whirlwind of benefits not only financially (stipend, healthcare, transportation, phone, housing, food)  but career-wise (networking, competitive edge when applying to Peace Corps) etc. This year I chose to go to Louisiana and received placement in New Orleans. I am incredibly excited to work within the high schools and certainly take on this new cultural challenge. Due to the nature of the Semester at Sea, my internet and phone connection will be limited so I will have to make extra efforts to keep in touch with my soon to be teammates. The biggest concern and where this will be crucial is the housing aspect. Because we will be working within the schools, we began along with the calendar school year in August. However, we are required to attend paid training which should begin in either June or July. Which means that not only will I be coming back from SAS, but I will be graduating in May, but thennn I will have to prepare myself to move to Louisiana for a year or more in June.  I am hoping to drive myself down there so I will cut the costs of shipping anything or renting a uHaul. Majority City Year corps members room together in an apt or house to split cost -- that would be ideal for me. So I will be saving most of my 150 free Semester at Sea internet minutes on the City Year Louisiana 2011-2012 corps page.

Gotta say, I have accomplished so much that I can't be anything but proud of myself. Great scholarships, great grades, active on campus and a prominent member and face for clubs & orgs, had an on-campus job for two years in the amazing Office of Student Development, great relationship with faculty and professors, pledged Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority Incorporated- even if it meant becoming a solo deuce within the mid of the process!! Just completed two internships (CASA & NASBE) + one class while in Washington, DC this fall... Now, Semester at Sea Spring 2010 approaching in mere days,  my graduation from The Richard Stockton College of NJ with a BA of Psychology in May, then New Orleans, Louisiana in June. The future is open for change... who know's what is next! I can't predict, nor do I want to =)