On the plane to LA

(This is what I would have wrote had they not cut off my internet after a half hour unless you paid)
Right now I am sitting on the plane to LA! They have WiFi which is awesome. I left Philly today around 2:30, staying in Philly last night was a good idea because we didn't have to rush at all. I was worried about baggage but my big suitcase weighed in at 44.5 lbs and then when I got to the gate the flight was so packed that by the time I boarded they were having everyone check their large carry-ons complimentary so I sent that bag off to Fiji and didn't have to worry anymore about whether or not it would fit or if I would have to pay fees and I didn't have to carry it around anymore  I got to keep my backpack which is all I really needed. When I got to the gate I met two other people who were in my program who go to Penn State. Once I get to LA I will meet the rest of the group. It is still pretty surreal that I am not going to be back until July but I am getting more and more excited and I am no longer nervous. It was pretty hard saying goodbye to everyone, especially Blair, I am still excited for the adventures ahead, though! I've attached a picture of my entire luggage that I will be using for the rest of my trip! I left an entirely full closet and set of drawers at home.

Last night in my bed!

Well, here I am, my last night in York before I leave tomorrow for Philly to catch my flight on Thursday. I thought I would make a blog because it would be an easy way for everyone, even people without Facebook, to keep track of my journey. This way I'm also not clogging up the news feed with my trip info.  I just got finished packing, which was a massive task. I think I took things in and out of suitcases about 16 times but I think I am finally done. Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything, but I do need to remember to put my toothbrush in tomorrow, that would be bad. I will be arriving in Fiji, where I am going for 10 days before getting to New Zealand at 5:15 am on February 18th, Fiji time, which is about 12 o clock on the 17th, American time. I will try to post a message that I arrived safely as soon as I get a hold of some internet. So anyway, I thought this would be a good way to keep in touch. I put a picture of the city, Wellington, where I will be living. I still cant believe I will be in another country until July, surreal!