Surprises and final moments!

Tomorrow night is the big party. Kaytee posted this on the refrigerator door. What does it mean?
Mat is making dinner.. Goodbye Friday nights of making dinners of veggies and fabulous desserts. Only a short goodbye though.

60 degree weather change!

It is bitter cold here in Michigan tonight. 19 degrees, snowy, feels like 11 with the windchill. On the day I arrive in Xalapa ,weather is predicted to be 76 degrees and sunny. YAHOOO.
I called my host family last night. First time I chickened out and hung up the guy that answered the phone. I tried a half an hour later and talked to Mama Patricia. I made a fool of myself and laughed after every word. I realized that I had never spoken to a woman in Spanish except for my Spanish teachers. There are 3 kids and a medium dog..and boy am i anxious!!.. 1 week from today and I will be there!!

11 days.

11 more days until I leave for Xalapa. I am extremely nervous and so excited. It's hard to know what to do with yourself when you know you are leaving everything behind for 4 months. I am trying my best to prepare but I think I am putting myself into more of a mess.
Last night I made 4 different lists.
1. Phone numbers that I might need while I am there.
2. Things that I can't forget, that I commonly do forget.
3. An inventory of what I have purchased to take. (6 different bottles of hand sanitizer included)
4. Things I need to take care of before I leave. (paying off things..ordering..tying loose ends)
5. And a day by day plan of to-dos until i leave.
Now it is Friday and I have the whole day off. I am sitting here trying to think of more things that I can do. I will probably find myself watching episode after episode of Law and Order (my favorite past-time since January 1st).

I am stressing out about my host family too. I finally got the nerve to call them and they didn't answer 2 times in a row... They are all I think about and I don't know anything but their address.!

The party is a week from tomorrow. I am excited about that! It will be nice to see all of my friends together before I leave. The butternuts say that have it in for me. I will probably pee myself.. but what else are surprises for?

Matty and i are going out tonight. His brother and sister-in-law got us an American Express gift card for Christmas, so we are going to use it for a nice night out, just the two of us, before I go. No extra money will be spent, which is what I am excited about!

Time to complete the Friday list!
Adios.

A few that will be missed greatly.

My Osito Bonito.. who is incredibly supportive and will visit me while I am there.


















My butternut family, who hopefully won't forget about me while I am gone and this little angel and her sister Violet who's changes I await for when I return.

exactly one month left!!!!!

And boy am i ready!!!!!!!!!!

About a month left.

Yesterday I received an e-mail with the name, address and telephone number of the family I will be staying with in Xalapa. Now, it is my turn to make the move. I think I am going to send them a letter tomorrow to introduce myself and maybe send a picture. Then in about a week I will call. I am so nervous. It's scary enough calling someone you don't know and talking to them in english..but yikes! I totally get the Spanish Stutters when I don't know someone.
I am done with school and Christmas is on Tuesday. Hopefully I will be getting the things that I need for my trip. I have asked for PJs, a backpack, a water filter water bottle and few other things. I am hoping that I can afford a new computer before I leave. I can just see myself in an internet cafe trying to communicate with someone from home and CRASH.. my old lady Dell is done for!

De veras? Si, es la verdad.

Well. It's true and official. This past Friday my Dad and I went to the Mexican Consulate in Detroit to apply for my Visa. I get to go back on Friday to get it. After that, that's it. Just waiting.. I don't have anymore paper work..or anything. I am getting very nervous but I am ready.
I just finished my last research paper for my Psychology Writing Intensive about 5 minutes ago so my mind is pretty blank. I feel like I have a lot to say but it's not happening ahora. Will write later. Just wanted to let you all know that I am still here and anticipating Xalapa!