Last Day in the U.S.

Today was my last full day in Santa Barbara. I spent it with my entire extended family and the night before was spent with my best friends. I am so thankful I was able to see everyone I love before leaving, and they left me feeling so excited and calm for the months to come.

My suitcase is officially 50.5 pounds (I'm hoping the airline will let that 1/2 a pound slide...) and my carry on is currently a rather large jumble on the floor. Like Meaghan first advised me, I was able to fit everything into 1 suitcase. Can you believe that?! Everything I will need for the next 8 months amounts to only 50 pounds. I kind of like it, actually. I am notorious for overpacking, especially for little trips (I need options), but I have forced myself to bring only the necessities! How many suitcases I will need to return is an entirely different question.

For all that care, I will be leaving tomorrow at around 7pm, making a pit stop at APU to drop Jess off at school, heading over to my cousin's house to sleep for a few hours, and then being dropped off at LAX at roughly 4am. My flight leaves at 7am (I am flying United) and then I have one layover in Newark, NJ and another in Frankfurt, Germany. I will arrive in Florence on Tuesday, January 10, at roughly 10:30am.

Reminder: Italy is 9 hours ahead.

That felt good to get out in writing. That is the plan thus far (please pray for no complications) and I guess I'll just be going from there! I will post again when I am in Italy, most likely in a hostel for the night.

Thank you friends and family for caring so much about me and calming my nerves. I don't think many people are as fortunate as I am. I have so many people who care about me (and who I care about as well) and that support me, which has made me push myself that much harder.

Italy, here I come!