"Your credit card company is blocking these purchases because they're quite...unusual," responded the bank teller when I wondered why I couldn't buy tickets from Chennai, India to New Delhi. That's when everything finally hit me. I started growing anxious as I booked my African safaris, called up agencies in Brazil for Amazon tours and purchased train tickets to the Taj Mahal. Not only do I get to go around the world, but I get to do it with my amazing boyfriend, Carl, and my stunningly handsome friend, Spence (and I totally wasn't forced to say this.)

Two weeks until the boat departs from Nassau and I still haven't packed. I don't know how to pack everything I need into one hiking backpack which is how I realized how disgustingly spoiled and materialistic I am. I look at my two computers, tv, piles of clothes and designer crap I have strewn all over my room and it leaves me pretty embarassed when I think about the places I'll be going to. I'm clueless as to how to prepare myself for this trip but I guess there really is no way to do that. I don't deny how sheltered I am, but I'm thankful for this lack of fear I have when traveling or being out of my comfort zone which will really force me to challenge myself.

I keep thinking I'm packing for Ithaca and that I can go home any time I need a dose of comfort and once I realize the truth of the matter, I start to feel that familiar notion of being homesick even before I've gone anywhere...