Finally, after months of planning, weeks of shopping/packing/freaking out about what I still want/need and countless hours spent over this break on facebook and stumbleupon (resulting in me knowing every move my friends at college are making and discovering the END of the internet), I will shortly be jumping the pond to start my expeditions abroad. This first blog entry serves one sole purpose- to remind me when I finally get overseas that no matter how lost, alone and nervous I may feel, the sum of those emotions is much more preferable than the never ending boredom I've been tolerating since I got out of school in December. Also, to remind myself during and at the end of everything why, exactly, I'm putting myself into this situation. I can't wait to get on that plane (which hopefully won't be delayed by the negative temperatures and intense snow storms the northeast have been getting raped by) and start this next part of my life. The next six and a half months are going to be unlike anything I've experienced thus far and I'm sure I will be back in the states wanting to rewind time before I know it. So here's my grand exclamation, my promise to myself and my advice for future Heleni: Make every moment count. Be extreme and fearless, but smart (bungee jumping the Corinth Canal is one thing, visiting Egypt is just plain stupid...at least for right now while the country is going through a lot of change). Accept and learn from every one and thing around you. Never leave your cup unattended. Be insistent, yet reasonable, when haggling. Have fun, regret nothing. AND FINALLY-- Share with everyone what you learn and experience. I'm going on this odyssey with an open mind and open heart and I'm ready to get everything out of this adventure as possible. WOOOO time to get over there, GET ME ON THAT PLANE ALREADY!