See ya later U.S.A.!

I can't believe how long I have waited for this. I started planning for a semester abroad in South Africa two years and seven days ago, the day after I returned home from my first trip to SA. But even before that, for who knows how long, I had been talking and dreaming about it. And now, here I am, in the airport waiting to board my flight, waiting like I have been for the past few years, to begin what I believe will be the experience of a lifetime.

I found it quite ironic that the day I leave for South Africa turned out to be one of the few days this winter that Jersey actually saw snow. As if mother nature, or anyone else, was going to stop me from leaving! Fortunately we made it up to Newark airport no problem, with much time to spare, and fortunately I managed to turn into the dragon lady only about an hour before we left. (My apologies to those who witnessed my wrath, but I was personally impressed with my ability to hold it off for that long!) Yesterday I was actually pretty calm, although I did weigh my suitcases a total of 20 times, but of course the stress and nerves did catch up with me today as we were leaving, and the tears finally starting flowing as I reached the gate and realized I had to leave my parents there. My mom keeps saying she is going to pretend I'm at Fairfield. I wonder if that means Fairfield is going to be receiving a package a week for the next 20 weeks! I would tell my father to do the same, but he cries even when I leave for Fairfield, so there's really no way around it. I just hate it when they have been the ones who I have taken my stress out on all day but then once I have to leave them, I just wish they could come with me. I wish I had been able to express that what manifested itself as being rude, disrespectful, and annoyed all day had really been me wondering "What the hell am I going to do without my parents for five months?"

Finally I was able to say goodbye, and though I will miss my parents like crazy and vice versa, I know that I have so much to look forward to and to experience, and that they understand that too.  I have successfully gone through security and am now sitting at my gate waiting to board. Flight leaves in one hour. I'll arrive in Amsterdam about 8 hours later, 7:25am on Sunday, their time, and then in Cape Town at 10:30pm Sunday, around 3:30pm in Jersey! Will try to keep this updated and be in touch upon my arrival. I know many are awaiting news of my safe arrival! For that I thank you, love you all, and I miss everyone already!