So I'm leaving in about 24 hours. I'm so nervous I can't even describe it. I just keep telling myself that everything will be ok. I'm sure once I'm there a few weeks that I won't want to come back. Isn't that the way it always is? Just when you're comfortable and enjoying yourself in a new place, it's time to leave. I can only hope that this journey is the same way. It's a pretty awful thought to think that I may actually be looking forward to leaving and coming home. Well, maybe not awful, but that's certainly not how I want this trip to go. Anyway, my body is starting to betray me and show the stress and anxiety by churning my stomach around. Not fun. I doubt I'll get any sleep tonight either. Hopefully I'll be so exhausted that I'll be able to sleep on the plane to London tomorrow night.

Also an update - I think I may actually get to see some of Moscow while I'm there for the day on the 30th. I'm booking myself a transfer from the airport to the train station and will do a 3 hour city tour in between landing and leaving. That way also I don't have to worry about the sketchy taxis and their drivers. So I'm feeling more comfortable about that day - which was the one day that had me the most worried. And I've found out a little about the people I'll be staying with. I'm actually staying with 3 families - each for 2 weeks or so. I'm not sure how I feel about moving around a couple times while I'm there, but it may turn out to be a good experience - I'll get to meet more people and try different ways of living while there. All three families have at least one teenager living at home. I hope I'll handle that ok - hopefully Russian teenagers aren't as obnoxious as American teenagers. I can't imagine that they could possibly be more so... One family also has a cat, so that will be nice since I'm going to be missing my own horribly. And one family has a dog - hopefully a mellow dog. I hope I get along with them all and that my personality doesn't rub anyone the wrong way. But being in another country where I don't speak the language fluently, I'm guessing that I'll probably be a little more reserved and polite in any case. Not that I'm rude, but you all know what I mean.

Anyway, I wanted to say thank you to all of you who have given me words of advice and strength - either through email or in person. They have all really meant a lot to me. Times like this make me realize what a lucky person I am to have so many friends and family that stand with me in times of stress and growth.

Well, this is probably the last I'll write while in the states. I've got packing tonight and dinner with a few of you. Then I leave tomorrow for the airport probably around 3:30. The 29th I'll be in London - probably just hanging around the airport for hours and on the 30th I'll be in Russia. I *am* actually excited to say that. I've wanted to say that for a long time. Which hopefully means that once the nervousness and anxiety melt away, I'll have a really fun trip.

до свидания!