Well, it's happening. I've spent months planning, filling out applications and paperwork, and gathering my packing list. After an absolutely insane week of packing and last minute prep (including a few near-breakdowns because studying internationally seems to require SO MUCH to keep track of), after a handful of (surprisingly emotional) goodbyes, and an extremely early wake-up, I'm sitting at my gate ready to board. I'll fly from San Francisco to Minneapolis to Atlanta and finally to Quito, landing in roughly 15 hours from now. I'll be there for four months. And yet, this morning at the airport feels surprisingly calm. Maybe it just hasn't hit me yet that I'm going to be gone so far away for so long. Maybe I've just been desensitized to airports and flying through a dozen international trips and more domestic flights than I can count. Whatever it is, I feel just fine. I can't wait to be in Ecuador and the Galapagos! Right now, though, I could really use some coffee. Time to board.