...so close I can almost taste it...

I'm sitting here, staring intently at my bright red suitcase that recently weighed in on my mom's bathroom scale at 48.8 lbs, trying to think of ways to lighten it, and I can't seem to prevent my mind from wandering to thoughts of tomorrow and the hours and hours of traveling that I will be doing--to reach the destination of a lifetime. It still doesn't feel real to me most of the time. I keep waiting to... I'm not sure. Wake up from a dream, or have someone call and say "haha! Just kidding! Wasn't that a funny Joke?! And the best part is... Jerusalem isn't even a real place!!!" ...or something like that. I can't believe how many years going to Jerusalem has been such a huge dream for me... not to mention one that always felt too big for my sphere of accomplishment. And now it is actually happening. Whoa.
Part of me is sitting here thinking "You are absolutely insane. Why would you want to do something like this?" I've certainly never done anything like this before. When I was little, I couldn't have even dreamed of leaving home for this long--especially not to someplace 8,000 miles away.
I'm not going to lie--part of me is scared. Not of anything in particular, really, other than simply "the unknown." I suppose that is a natural human fear, but it seems amplified in this situation for me, since mistakes in this arena could possibly be extremely detrimental. (And I tend to make a lot of mistakes in my learning process, especially when I'm in unfamiliar circumstances, haha).
I'm definitely feeling the "travel Steve" beginning to come out in Chelsey--and am anticipating it to be in full-force tomorrow, haha. (Thanks a lot Dad, gotta love those genes ;) .) Hopefully the fact that I am aware of it will help me remain calm. But I know that I will not feel comfortable until we are IN THE AIR for our very last flight--the one from Vienna to Tel Aviv. Maybe even until we get our luggage... Looks like I will have to go easier on Dad about the "travel Steve" phenomenon from now on, lest I risk being a hypocrite, haha.

[Also: Family-- just so you know, it says on my itinerary that we will be flying "Economy." I'm assuming that equates to "second class" in Chelsey-lingo, and guess what! I'm 100% perfectly Ok with that ;) haha. ....(...And yet I know I might have to suppress the urge to go up to the desk when we're at our gate and try to negotiate for first class seats ;))...]

So I did a bit of math and figured that the 3 hour and 9 minute flight from SLC to Chicago plus the 9 hour and 40 minute flight from Chicago to Vienna, plus the 3 hour and 25 minute flight from Vienna to Tel Aviv equals a total of 16 hours and 14 minutes in the air. O_O (<--that is the face I just made, if you imagine the line as my mouth and the O's as my eyes). All I have to say is that I am going to be ridiculously exhausted by the time we get there.

Today was also my orientation in Provo. We picked up my new friend Chase Barlet from his great aunt's house in SLC and had a grand time at the Harmon building (I got my Jerusalem Center Backpack!!! *squeal!!!*). At first I felt a little overwhelmed by everything that Dr. Kearl (Assistant...to the *snicker*... BYU President for the Jerusalem Center) said. A lot of it was even quite frightening. Let's just say that I am taking absolutely no cute, form fitting, too-short sleeved shirts or tight pants. Yikes. I was quickly persuaded that it would not be a good idea. I will look like a grungy little boy with long hair, and awkwardly fitting clothes, but I figured it was much better than drawing the undue attention to myself that the dress code is specifically designed to keep at a minimum. It totally sucks to be a girl in the Middle East. I was really happy that Dad, Melyn and Mom could all come to the Orientation, but I missed Roger, even though if he had come I would've had more parents than all the other kids there combined :). I don't mind though, I'm grateful that so many people love me and show such a keen interest in anything I'm doing in my life. Roger would've really liked Dr. Kearl though, hehe. "Tell them 'it's none of your *$%& business!!!!'" "Don't be a dumb-*&$!", "I have survived just fine in Egypt every time I go there because I live on Diet Coke and Snickers," and my personal favorite, "You can't afford to be in la-la-land!"
It was weird but also, quite frankly, awesome to meet so many people today. Everyone was friendly and everyone seemed passionate (just like me! hooray!) about the Holy Land. My roommates all seem incredibly nice and I get the feeling we will all get along just swimmingly. :)

As for my family, I hope you each know that I will miss you very much, and think of you every day. I'm truly grateful for all the sacrifices that you have each made to help me be able to go to Jerusalem. I'm thankful for the support you have shown me, despite possible concerns about me being kidnapped or 'sploded by a bomb or forced to live without milk... But in all seriousness, I thank you all for being so supportive of me and for your prayers and your love and enthusiasm of sharing with me one of the most incredible experiences I will ever have in my life!

You will all be just fine without me here :) I know you will.

Anyways, I'd better hit the hay, because tomorrow is a big day. :) ... hehe... yes that DOES rhyme. :) So until I have access to a computer again (who knows when that will be), farewell my beloved friends and family :). I love you all with my whole heart!