Countdown to Houston: 24 hours!!!

I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight, honestly. I'm going shopping tonight for some more clothes (mom bought me some yesterday).
It is so close! I am getting all tingly thinking about it! It's still very surreal to me, and I'm sure it will be until I'm actually boarding the plane... in 24 HOURS!!!!
Holy toledo.

Things that are calming me down:

1. "Sweet and Low" ACOUSTIC by Augustana
2. Piano
3. Shower
4. Washing my face and brushing my teeth

SO SCARY!
In an excited way though. I'll be just fine... thrilled. Through the moon. (:

Countdown to Houston: 71 hours

I have been talking to a few of the people on my flight. We are getting in touch through Facebook. It looks like at least some of us will be meeting up at the airport or at the stop in Denver. Super exciting!
Talking to the others has made me incredibly giddy... I feel that I have already made at least one friend for sure.
I do, however, have quite a few anxieties... I am sure they will help me out. I so look forward to the satisfaction of having made it all the way when I come back to Seattle on the fifteenth.
I talked to my academic dean on Friday, and heard her concerns and tried to respond in a way to help her understand that I am attentive and careful, and that I have not idealized the situation. I know, if I get it, that it will be difficult. As I told my friend Ileana, I dread getting not getting it, and I dread getting it. Pretty sticky situation.
Anyway, I am working on my packing list and trying to survive the week... we'll see how it goes... I'll keep you posted.

Countdown to Houston: 8 days

I have a few more updates on my travels!
SOUTH AFRICA:
So, after the most recent news about the South Africa trip, one of the participants dropped out. I somewhat expected it, but I am disappointed anyway. She has other opportunites she would like to take this summer, and I am proud of her for making the decision she feels is best.
On the other hand, Olivia and I both have our plane tickets purchased! How exciting...
YES ABROAD:
I got my email from the AFS folks today about my plane ticket to Houston. This one's also been bought! How exciting: TWO PURCHASED PLANE TICKETS IN ONE DAY. I also got the names of the others flying from Sea-Tac. There are seven of us total. I have the jitters! I am so looking forward to meeting everyone. Regardless of whether I get the scholarship or not, this will be a great experience, and will definitely be helpful for future opportunities. Oh man! I can't believe it...

AAAAH!

Update

It seems a lot has happened in the last week regarding my travel opportunities.
On Tuesday, I found out from the teacher who was going to lead the trip to South Africa that he will be unable to come with us, and the part about my school being the organization through which we'd be traveling is not happening. Does that make sense? Basically, we ended up only having three committed participants. Bummer. However, his wife is still leading the trip with her Seattle Pacific University students, and we are invited to go with them on virtually the same trip. I think we're going for it, but I still have to speak with my parents for sure.
On Thursday, I found out (on my snow day) that I AM A FINALIST FOR THE YES ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP. Woohoo! I am so excited. I was shaking for about forty minutes. I am one of sixty-four who will be going down there (remember: 35 scholarships). Morgan is coming down too! This is exciting--one of us isn't going to be at home, bummed out.
Anyway, just 12 days until I'm on a plane, headed for Texas... I wonder what is in store for me...