The Last Stretch

WOW.

It's my last day in the States today, the final day that I will actually spend all 24 hours on U.S. soil and not in limbo over the ocean or on a new continent.

I have been waiting for this since…September, possibly forever. Yesterday at home my mom commented on how curly my hair's gotten, making mention that it's nice and curly for the trip. I told her jokingly that it'd been preparing itself since 1988 — though on second thought, I really do feel that every part of me has been preparing for that long. Maybe I wasn't five years old sitting at my lemonade stand thinking, "Yeah, Europe. I want to go there," or having visions while playing in my tree house: "This view is good, but I wonder what Rome looks like from the top of the Duomo…" I haven't known I wanted to go for that long, but I do feel I've put in years to ready myself for this.

Today is goodbyes and cleaning, packing, preparing, and hopefully sleep and relaxation. I really, really don't want to feel unprepared...

For all faithful readers that are strapped into their seats, set to follow my journey via this blog — thank you, and know that I would stick you in my suitcase if I could, but I can unfortunately only bring 45 pounds.

Love to all.