Wednesday, December 30, 2009

December 30, 2009

Still doesn't feel real. My mom, corey, brad, and I went to starbucks this morning, and hung out for a long time before driving to the airport-which was empty. Checking in and security were easy and fast, which I was not completely expecting. Everyone was very friendly, and helpful. I have been sitting at the spartan pub for almost an hour and a half now, waiting to board and be on my way! Small plane to Detroit, then Pittsburgh, Paris, and Bangalore. Lots of travel, and little sleep (sleep on the plane is not real sleep).
This will be interesting.

December 29, 2009- pre-pared?

Ann Arbor time.

I woke up on the 26th SUPER early in attempts to pack and get organized. I had the place to myself and had a laid back yet productive afternoon. I was lucky enough to get some stefan time (which turned into hannah, mia, heather time) before I drove down to Ann Arbor to hang out with michael watts. We got two perfect days in! Lots of Super Mario, which is Super Addicting, dinners and such. It was very relaxing and fun-too short- but great. That was a crazy goodbye, one whose details will remain in the journal owned and viewed only by me.

The 28th brought me back to East Lansing where...pretty exciting packing took place. We all hung out by the fire and meg, jenna, and mackenzi came over. It was a really nice night just warm by the fire with music and goodness.

TODAY, the 29th.. more of the same. lots of it. I ran errands, went to lunch with my mom and did NOT get carded- which is crazy- and things. My dad took the three of us out for coffee and I got a teddy bear for the first time literally in years. It was delicious. Dinner with my mom and mark, and Guinness with my brother and sister (sorry dad- but did you know the bubbles actually go DOWN the outside of the glass- crazy huh? ;)) It was really nice. We walked, so the fresh air and scenery- ohhh east lansing Michigan- was great. Not a cloud in the sky, just the bright moon and stars. It was great.

Tomorrow is the supposed "big day", although the fact that I can't say "TOMORROW I will be in Bangalore India-how crazy"-makes it not seem real yet. Haha, my imagination is not so great. Tomorrow at this time I will be on another flight, and then the next day at this time... i suppose I will be arriving. Too many tomorrows if you ask me.

Honestly, I have no  idea what to expect. I have read a bit about india and travel there, but I wonder what it will be like in the context of Bangalore, a huge city, and of the University. I have one big backpack packed... im estimating 40lb because it feels pretty light, and then a small carry on backpack, as well. I have... a few t-shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, a pair of soffees, flip flops for the shower, a towel, a hoodie, a zip up, a long sleeved shirt, 2 casual dresses, 2 skirts, and an incredible amount of medications. I started malaria today... mmm malaria.

My dad has been such a huge help. There is absolutely no way I could have gotten everything together to make this trip happen without his help. The medications, vaccinations, flights, planning, visa, important paperwork... everything. I think without his help, I would be much more nervous about the trip than I am. I actually said goodbye to him today, which was hard. He made it very clear, however, that he wasn't sad in a discouraging, he-thinks-its-a-terrible-idea kind of way, just in a missing-you, kind of way.
That was hard.

Mom, Corey, and Brad are taking me to the airport tomorrow- so that will be another super depressing event of goodbyes.

Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology for the next four months! I am super excited to see what kind of classes they offer, and hopefully learn a lot of things I can't at home.
sleep for now,
travel tomorrow

Friday, December 25, 2009

December 25, 2009

Christmas,
relaxed, AVATAR!
five day countdown

Thursday, December 24, 2009

December 24, 2009








Last night, my dad, brad, and I went saki boming. I was super demanding because that is what I really wanted to do, and finally everyone agreed to it. We had a lot of fun. It was different (slightly) than in Ann Arbor, but it was really fun and super messy.

Corey and I went to Harpers for the first time after dinner. We saw a lot of East Lansing people, and then we went our separate ways. She went to Jennas and I got to hang out with Mike, who trekked allll the way from Ann Arbor to visit!

What a great birthday

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

December 23, 2009

21st birthday

We have been in Chicago since the party, and having arrived home around 7 pm, Corey, Brad, and I relaxed in Holt with my dad. We ate dinner and watched Up before corey and I showered and got dressed to go out. Both my dad and brother stood in the hallway taking pictures-haha- before (and I cannot decide whether this is awesome or embarrassing) my dad got us in the car, picked up Austin and Grace, and dropped us downtown East Lansing. We went to the Riv and to the Post, just hanging out for a bit with two really good old friends.

Our taxi driver home was going to be a father within the week. He also told us about ecstasy in Korea...

When we got home, we woke up my brother who came downstairs with us to chat for a long while. We sat by the fire talking about global warming and environmental issues before I started listening to "Not fire Not Ice" lyrics and getting super depressed about leaving the country in one week.

and at the same time, unbelievably excited!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

December 19, 2009

I left Ann Arbor
classes-FINALLY done.
Exams-done
Papers- done
Smartsurface blogging-done (As of 4 minutes ago)
moving out of Mich House for good- done
laundry....getting there.

yesterday, after my last exam, I could not wipe the stupid smile off my face the entire, freezing, windy, winter walk home. I looked around thinking to myself, I wont be back here until next fall... and I smiled. Not that I don't love ann arbor, its just the places i will be have a lot of potential!

I walked home and packed. Packed up my room, and met up with mike for dinner and such. We attempted to watch caddyshack and once again failed, but it was a really relaxing, fun night, which we both needed after a crazy week.

This morning, I walked to zingermans to pick up the gifts I had been planning out for my dad, and finished packing up my room at the coop. He soon came, and we loaded the car full (which means I have WAY too much stuff) and went home to celebrate hanukkah. This was really nice, we lit the candles, said the prayers, ate dinner, and sat by the fire.

We went to my moms for the holiday party which was also nice. Much smaller this year. We had a really good time.
It ended earlier this year, which was also okay because early the next morning we would be heading to Chicago.
It was great to see some high school teachers and parents of high school friends. I also got to catch up with some highschool friends, which I really enjoyed!