the final countdown

The reality of all of this is finally setting in. For months I told people I would go to India to study and come Saturday I will be en route to foreign lands. To prepare myself I'm doing all things American (eating steak and delicious hamburgers, enjoying Christmas carols, driving my car, ect.) with a mix of some things Indian (spicy foods, Lagaan soundtrack, Slumdog Millionaire). All sorts of emotions come out of this practice: intense excitement, spurts of stress and terror, and nostalgia for things I haven't even left yet. I've already started the good-byes ("this is the last time I'll see the Atlanta skyline") but five months is no time at all when I really think about it. I'm pretty good about going into things with an open mind and a blank slate, but I do have expectations for this trip. Although it will still be an adjustment, I feel prepared for whatever comes up in India. But I have personal expectations. So this is my pre-departure check-list:

-make solid friendships (but of course not neglect my friends back home)

-eat and enjoy new foods, especially vegetables

-travel as much as possible

-do well in school (gotta represent)

-avoid life-threatening diseases

-defeat negative American stereotypes (I'm leaving the fanny pack behind) and totally own up to the good ones (these colors don't run)

-enjoy everything, not make excuses, and let things happen

One of the most exciting parts for me right now is my suitcase, or more accurately, my backpack. I have transformed from an over-packing monster into a lovely light traveler. Most of my packed materials consist of medicine and candy so I'm pretty much set. Thanks to the invention of the interwebs, I don't feel like I'm leaving much behind. I have skype, cwtv.com, adultswim.com, and let's not forget facebook, to keep me up to date but I don't plan on spending much time on them.

In future posts you can look forward to detailed accounts of my ailments, bizarre encounters with locals, and an extensive amount of pictures.