Luggage? Check.

My awesome parents bought me my luggage for me today as well as a pair of warm waterproof boots! Getting stuff specifically for my Russian adventure is making it more and more real! I'm nervous and excited about this whole ordeal.

I went to lunch and did some shopping with my parents and we discussed my needs and whatnot in Russia, it's been difficult to prepare so far because I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to need, what I should buy now, what I should buy later, what my parents could send me once I'm there, etc. Also, I've never really traveled much so I'm not sure what to expect for the flight and all of that stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to reach out to others and get a more clear idea of how to prepare.

Now I need to throw some of my clothes into the suitcases to see how things fit, I also need to get a converter/adapter and figure out which electronics I'll be able to use that won't explode or whatever.

Is this real life?

For those of you who don't know, I'm going to be living in this amazing city (St. Petersburg, Russia) for four months! I am beyond excited to be fulfilling this dream of mine. I decided to write a blog to share with anyone and everyone this adventure I am about to have.

I am going to Russia with a program called International Language Programs and I will be teaching as a volunteer during this time. As far as I know I will be living with a host family (unless they can't find a family that doesn't have pets), I will also be going with 9 other volunteers just like me, and although I haven't met any of them yet, I'm excited that I will be sharing this experience with these people and I'm sure we'll become very close. We got our official leave date today and so the countdown begins! I will be leaving on August 26, 2014 which means I have 25 days left before I embark on this crazy, amazing, intimidating, blessing of a journey!