Taking Off Soon!

This has been such a long time coming! I've been planning this trip for months and had a fun idea of keeping a blog to share my trip with friends and family. I also think it will be a creative way to remember the trip years from now.

Writing this first post hasn't been as easy as I assumed it would be. The tones of my previous drafts didn't feel right and I didn't even know where to start.

I can't wait to settle in and begin the month abroad. But first, almost 13 hours on a plane and some time traveling - I'll gain a day after I leave California. I've always found that kinda weird.

I'm excited about my apartment there. I hope it'll be in a cool area. One of my roommates sent me photos a few days ago (our programs are one week apart) and it looks great. There is a roommate matching system on the housing portal where we found each other. We also have mutual friends at school and met for coffee before summer break.

But other than that I don't know anyone else who is going. I'm actually proud of myself for going alone so I can meet new people. If I went with friends I could see myself only spending time with them and not going outside my comfort zone.

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I have been thinking of goals for my first few days there. We'll be doing an orientation to the city with CEA and other students. I'm going to try and be as energetic and outgoing as I can to make good impressions. I feel like that sounds weird but I know I can't be too quiet or shy on the first day because I probably won't make friends that way. And I really want to make friends!

I know I'll have to do some stuff on my own too, which I think I've gotten better at this year. I used to feel self conscious being places by myself. That feeling hasn't completely gone away but I'm much better now.

There are some nerves about doing everything for the first time, but mostly I can't wait for all the fun. I want to learn about Spanish culture and just explore the city.

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I'm in Toronto waiting for my next plane to arrive now. Here's Maple watching me pack yesterday. She probably wanted to come with me.

And I can't forget my favorite boy, Bauer.