So, my date is drawing nearer, and the closer it gets, the harder it is on my family. Now I have to tell you that I'm the oldest kid with a kid sister, and a mom who is trying to deal with that "empty nest syndrom" or whatever you call it. Like I said, I'm only a senior in high school, so she is trying to deal with me leaving for college to begin with, but this extra excursion of mine seems to be drawing on her.

I sort of foresaw this whole situation, but I never thought it would bother me so much. My sister and mom are trying there hardest to not bust into tears everytime I bring up my trip. My dad seems to be the only one holding it together. It is going to be a royal pain in the ass to leave, but its goin to happen sooner or later right? My grandpa is all up for me leaving and starting my life, and it is reassuring to have that response. So, I don't intend you guys to read my bitching for the next 5 months, but it is something I have to deal with, and its worth writing about.

On another note, I sort of forgot the fact that I'm traveling alone for a majority of my time, but I'm still going to be in a group of students, that many of them have never been out of the country before. I've been to Europe before in group situations like that, and there is always a major jack ass or two (thats it if I'm lucky) so I'm starting to worry about the people I'm going to be with as well. I just hope I'm not surrounded by a whole bunch of idiots.

I met one of my "teachers" back in November, and I've never had such a gringo teacher in my life. I'm so used to having my family, or native teachers that don't have, oh how do I say this without offending anyone?..... a plain awful, horrible, terrible, spine tingling, blood curdleing, mind exploding accent. Now this lady seemed to be extrememly sweet and everything, but it made my skin crawl to hear her talk. She was just trying to show off some of her spanish prowess by inciting a converstaion, and she would say things like: ca-fay cone lay-chay. instead of the normal cafe con leche. I don't won't to be cynical or anything, but i'm just not used to it.

So as of now, those are my pre-trip gripes. oh did I mention the fact that I'm extrememly excited at this point in time, and that today, the first day back at school after break, went by painfully slow yet again?

Who would of known 12 days could feel like such an enternity?

-Eric