In approximately 51 hours my plane is going to depart from Boston and head to Montevideo, Uruguay. 51 hours until my life gets turned upside down by the most exhilarating, scary, and craziest adventure called Remote Year. At this point, I’ve said most of my goodbyes, have packed most of my suitcase, and have prepared as best as I can for the incredible journey that lies ahead.

I would be totally lying to you if I didn’t tell you that I’m scared out of my mind. I’m scared I won’t have enough money to allow me to do the entire program, I’m scared I’m going to hate the amount of change that is coming my way, and I’m scared to be gone for so long. However, what overcomes these thoughts is the insane stories, adventures, pictures, and experiences I’m about to have. After all, a year isn’t THAT long in the span of life. One year from today, I’ll be packing up my bags in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam getting ready to say goodbye to my Remote Year family probably dreading the idea of coming back to the U.S.

When people ask me if I’m excited for the year ahead, I say of course I am. However, Ross from Friends understands how I really feel.

Really, I’M FINE! I’m good, I got this.. is what I tell myself on repeat, repeat, repeat.

However, the fact that it is 80° and sunny in Montevideo right now is going to make it a bit easier to get on that plane knowing that soon my daily attire will consist of bathing suits and that my new office is a cafe on the beach.

Oh, and by the way — did I happen to mention that I got a remote job? That’s right, 4 days prior to departure I signed an offer letter to be an Account Manager for a digital marketing agency called Pixel It Labs. The amount of weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that I am going into this with a job, is massive. Starting a new job is always intimidating, especially since I’ll be juggling a new environment, new community, new country, and just about new everything. But HEY, bring it on. A huge thank you to my friend Laura who hooked a girl up with the job – wouldn’t have gotten it without you.

So now that the job is set, I can sit back and enjoy my last fews days at home with my family. My sister, Emma (who is also my best friend) is coming up from Boston tonight to spend my last few days with me. We don’t have too much planned, but I know the time is going to fly by and Saturday is going to be here in less than a blink of an eye. Emma is coming just in time to probably tell me to take half the shit out of my suitcase and put it back, in which my response will be – “but I’m gonna neeeeeed that!!”

For those packing for any trip you need to know about packing cubes. They changed the way I pack. Not only do they keep your suitcase extremely organized, but they fit a lot as well. The days of rolling your clothes is long over. My Osprey 50L pack is just about full as well. I plan to hopefully take the pack as a carry-on and will check my larger suitcase. I just haven’t packed my shoes yet.. is 10 pairs too much?!

To be honest, I still don’t feel like this is actually happening. I know that on a high-level I’m leaving, but it still hasn’t completely sunk in and I’m not sure it ever will. This month moving out of my apartment and living at home has already gone so fast, and it was hardly as terrible as I thought it was going to be (sorry Mom & Dad). As much as I was dreading coming back to live with my parents, these past few weeks have been pretty chill. Despite often being stranded at home without a car, I got to hang with my kitty Lilah, sleep in, read a lot of books, and work out frequently to get my beach bod back in shape. So needless to say I really don’t have anything to complain about.

Please subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a posting and if you have questions about Remote Year or my experience feel free to use my contact page to get in touch! Until my next post in Montevideo, Uruguay… Adios U.S.A! See ya in 2017! ♥♥♥