As promised, here is the beginning of what I hope to be a wonderful place to share my thoughts and adventures during my travels across the world.

As most of you know, I will be leaving in 11 days on March 9th. I will arrive in Bangkok, Thailand on the 11th (which is technically the 10th here in the states). I will be there traveling around the country until March 31st and then I will head on to Sydney, Australia the evening of April 1st and land on the 2nd.

The time leading up to this point has been very interesting and full of different emotions. In general, I try to keep my brain and emotions fairly level. I don't enjoy roller coaster emotions nor do I wish to force others to put up with me in those moments. I've had quite a few people ask me if I'm nervous. I feel odd saying I'm not nervous, but I'm not really nervous (Ask me again on the 9th). I have my moments where I wonder how I'll fit in with my group, how quickly will I be able to find a job, are people going to be as hospitable as we are in the South, am I going to be safe, etc. A girl at work today said "Rachel, you're really normal so I don't think you'll have any issues fitting in." She clearly hasn't spent enough time with me.

I am doing pretty well with it though. I'm going to be sad. I really do enjoy what I have in my life right now; my family, my Dallas family, my gym family. I have to play tricks with my brain. I convince my brain that I'm only going to be gone for 3 months. We can do anything for 3 months, right? That makes things much less intimidating. I also find myself not thinking about it at all. That is partially because I don't want to think about the goodbyes. I almost don't want to attend my own farewell party. Not even kidding. Talk about anxiety.

But the other half of that and the really interesting part of it all, is that I have a tendency to overthink situations. ALL .THE. TIME. Just ask any of my previous boyfriends. Or family. Or friends. Or Moose. All have been victims. I create scenarios, think that the delay in a text message response means something negative (dern you technology), assume answers, etc. (Gracious I'm letting the world know how crazy I really am). With that said, it's REALLY difficult to create those thoughts when I can't even envision where I am going to be. I don't know what buildings will look like, I don't know what people will look like, I don't know how the food will taste or how my UK friends will sound. You know how they say you can't dream something you've never seen before? It's very similar to that. I don't even know what would fill up those created scenarios so I'm not really able to get worked up over the possibilities. In short, I'm not really capable of thinking about what's to come. And also in short, I am so not well traveled or culturally diverse.

Next Topic.

I received an email on my birthday a few weeks ago that contained the "Buddy List" for my group in Thailand. I began to look everyone up through Facebook and began to realize I was one of two people that will be in my group from the US (there are 22 people). The rest are from the UK. I also realized I was the only 25 year old on the trip. Everyone else is 18-19 years old. My initial reaction was negative. I was annoyed that my point of contact at First Abroad told me before I ever committed that the age range is typically 23-24 for these trips (sales tactic I found out). I told her I didn't want to play babysitter for 3 weeks. So of course I was peeved when I realized everyone just graduated high school. #selfishmoment

After a few hours passed, my thoughts calmed down and I told myself "Rachel, there is a reason for this. You wouldn't be going on this trip, with this group of young adults, if God didn't have a plan for me to be with THIS exact group." I pretty much had to put myself in check (I have to do that on the daily). I don't know why. I don't know who will cross my path or who I will build friendships with, but I know I'm supposed to go, so I am, and I am going to be excited about it because He knows what's up.

It is getting down to the wire with my time left in the states. Again, I've tried to be very level headed with my decisions. From deciding where I need to go, who I need to see, what restaurants to indulge in before I leave, and even what do I need to spend my money on; it's been a daily decision. I remember back in the day when I would leave for camp or when my family took a cruise, I spent SO much money on THINGS. Things I didn't really need. Things that would only be used/worn on the cruise ship or at camp. I am VERY limited on space in my suitcase, so deciding to only take 5 ponytails vs. the entire pack that I am about to buy... It's those type of decisions I'm having to make. I know... I sound crazy. What's crazy is the amount of money they charge per kg on the flight from Bangkok to Sydney. A pony tail matters!

Speaking of a kilogram... I think I missed the week in elementary school where we were taught the metric system. You better believe that I have my conversion app loaded on my phone ready to rock and roll. I also have the currency converter app ready too. All I know right now is that if a price tag in Australia says 20, in USD, it is less. So if I can afford the 20, I can definitely afford the AUD 20. That's about as advance as my knowledge goes right now. #startingstrong

OK that's enough of Rachel's brain for the day. You'd be surprised how much more it holds. Sweet little brain of mine. IF you have any questions or topics of interest you want to hear about, let me know! I can talk about anything except the following: Geography, different cultures, history, diving (I never learned to dive as a child #deprived), cooking or fashion. Anything else is good to go.

Much love to all of you. Your support means the world to me!