It's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me - And if the wind is right you can sail away, and find tranquility...

In 16 days, I will be in the Bahamas getting ready to leave on the most exciting trip anyone could hope for. Coming into freshman year I knew that I would study abroad, and I always assumed it would be to Spain since I had been taking the language for so long. When I heard during my first semester about a cruise ship that takes you around the world and you get college credit for it, I knew I was going to do it. I'm still hooked three years later. It's going to be so strange to have so little contact with people from home, especially since I'm used to having my cellphone all hours of the day. My first stop will be in Brazil where I will go the Amazon Rainforest. I gotta say I am freaked out about that. I don't even know if I'm excited, I think mostly just nervous. Anyone who knows me, knows my enormous phobia of spiders ...and tarantulas fill the Amazon Rainforest. Not just ones a few inches in size, but some the size of dinner plates. It makes me shiver just typing it. So that should be an experience. Not crying or fainting will be the only goal I can hope for there. Sounds pathetic but I really am scared. And of course spiders aren't the only thing to look forward to. How about anacondas, alligators, crocs, piranhas...reptiles of all shapes and sizes. Should be thrilling. I am hoping I will see enough monkeys and pink dolphins to counteract it. Ha maybe it will get me over my fears a little, we will see. I sound so adventurous and I don't know how. I can't believe I am sleeping on a riverboat in a rainforest in a strange country. Apparently we are catching piranha and alligator for dinner, what a delicious treat. And the itinerary mentions an afternoon swim in the river. Are you kidding me? I can't say piranhas biting at me would be the highlight of my day. Or an anaconda anywhere near me! I guess I could've taken the easier route and gone to Rio de Janeiro (which is beautiful itself) ...but when am I going to go to the Amazon again. So anyways, I guess that's it really...just sharing my fear of the jungle

Only 2 more weeks of work... People are talking about going back to school...and I am basically going on a vacation...with classes. Weird that I have class everyday at sea (weekends!) But only 3 hrs of class a day...I guess I can handle that :) ...I can't believe I only have 2 semesters left of college, where did it go?