Time is a ticking!

Knock Knock!
Who's there?
Boo!
Boo who?
Ohh, don't cry I still have 21 days before I leave...

With only 21 days left until I head out to sea, I am even more excited than I have been before, but I have a lot of friends to catch up with before setting sail. Over the past week, I have received all of my bank cards, maps of all of the countries, advice from my father to not go skydiving in Morocco (for some reason he thinks that Morocco might not be the best place in the world to skydive), and a new international cell phone! My grandparents are here visiting me right now and we are having a blast discussing all of the various things involved with my trip...well, at least I am having a blast discussing everything involved with my trip! They also have been telling stories about me from several years ago when they took me on an Alaska cruise and trip through inland Alaska and into Canada. I remember being the youngest person on the trip and all of the old ladies adored me...it was wither my good looks or my knowledge of Alaska and the voyage (I knew more about what was going on, when, and where than the Cruise Director!). I bet it was my good looks. :) :) Hey, don't judge, as I was only 12 at the time. I finally bought all of my required textbooks today even though I probably won't read them, unless they have cool pictures... I also spent several hours this evening researching foreign currency. Each bank charges a different exchange rate to obtain foreign currency, since the additional rate is like their surcharge for placing the transaction (Which I found out some are MUCH BETTER than others!). But here is the dilemma: How much currency do I need for each country? I don't want to not get enough and wish I got more, but I also don't want to have so much that I don't know what to do with it. Anyways...enough of my indecisiveness! Last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I went up to Fort Mill to stay at Danielle's house. We played on the lake most of the day on Tuesday, and slept late enough that we ate breakfast 3 hours before dinner. Oh well. We had hoped to research other things to do in each country, but the lake was calling our name. This is why Danielle is now coming to Aiken this weekend. I can't wait! It will be fun! I also have to start making a packing list of things to take so that I can go to the store and buy everything necessary. I know I need sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant, tooth paste, etc. Also, the suggested packing list says we should take liquid body soap. Does it have to be liquid or can it be bar soap too? Well, this is one question I need to ask SAS! I am almost done taking all of my pills containing live-viruses, so hopefully I don't get sick while abroad (knock on wood). With all of this stuff to do and so little time, I still want to get on the ship tomorrow! Well, I guess I better get on my way...

ONE MONTH AWAY!!!

As hard as it is to believe, ONE MONTH from today I will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia! My mom and I will be exploring the first country of my nine country voyage before boarding the ship at 8:00 am on June 15th. Over the past two weeks, you have not heard much from me as I have been taking exams, packing up my Junior year, and moving back to Aiken. I began my summer at home by cleaning out my room and separating all of my belongings for things to re-pack for my SENIOR year of college and things to take with me on the "experience of a lifetime" (I can't believe I am already going into my Senior year...). My room is absolutely a mess right now (well at least a mess for me...many of you know I am normally pretty clean), but I guess it happens when you are planning for a 9 week voyage on a SHIP! It has also been very exciting recently. Danielle and I ordered all of our textbooks for the semester (we are splitting the cost, since we are taking two of the same classes). I also went and opened up an extra account at a different bank, so that I have a back up debit card just incase. I also applied for my first credit card this week. How exciting?!? I want to be well prepared while abroad, since I have heard so many horror stories especially involving credit cards. Today, I went and bought an 8GB memory card for my camera, so that I can take millions of pictures for you all to see. Next week, I am headed to Fort Mill to meet up with Danielle, so that we can finish researching our independent travels within each country. This should be really fun! I can't wait!!!!!!! I will keep you posted...