It's one in the morning, and I've just realized that I have 5 days before my departure. Five days to get all of my documents organized, five days to finish packing (oh gosh), and five days to wrap up my life in the US. The summer has just flown by; it feels like just yesterday that I was sitting in school, waiting for it to be over.

The entire summer has consisted of travel-related things: I went summer school so that I could graduate with my friends (because I'm missing a year of school), I filled out stacks of paperwork to get my visa, and the past few weeks my mom and I have shopped more than I have in an entire year. Today, my mom exchanged dollars into euros.. All of these events have prepared me for departure, and yet it still feels sudden. Tomorrow I'm going to a Rotary club meeting, to thank them for the opportunity to spend a year overseas, and to say goodbye. See? Say goodbye. I shouldn't have to deal with that yet! I think saying goodbye is going to be the worst part of the whole exchange, even more than culture shock, miscommunication.. Saying goodbye sucks. But what am I doing saying its the "worst part"? I sound like such a pessimist, but I'm really not. I'm SO excited to go on this exchange! Words cant describe how thrilled I am to be doing this!!

And so, I should take this time to thank everyone who's helped me reach this point: Rotary International, the generous organization that does volunteer work to better the community! They made this cultural exchange possible for me, and I'm so grateful for that. James Herrera, the District Youth Exchange Officer, is also awesome. He found my sponsoring Rotary club, and has been so helpful with the whole application and exchange process. The Rotary club in Italy who is hosting me also deserves HUGE thanks, although I haven't met them yet! Also, my host family in Italy.. I'll meet them soon, and thank them in person. Finally, my parents. They've been so good about everything. They've supported me through the entire process, helping me with the application, taking me to get my passport, and my visa.. They have devoted a lot of their time (and money) to this exchange. I'm so glad that they're willing to give me up for a year (haha) and I'm happy to know I always have their support. My parents have done so much more than that, and I'm really grateful. So, to everyone involved in helping me reach this point, GRAZIE!