When the only times you've been out of the country were in the womb at Mexico and four years old at Niagara Falls, it takes a long time to process the idea that you will actually have to use your passport.  I leaving for Peru on Saturday {right after Eric's baptism too}, and I don't think it really started to hit me until just a few hours ago as we shopped.  We searched through several stores, purchasing sturdy tennis shoes, lots of comfy but still picture-worthy tees {is it bad that I'm purposely packing lots of blue shirts for the sake of making my eyes pop in a country where everyone's eyes are brown? and also, Rachel, keep in mind that there are other people in the dressing rooms who will definitely hear you when you start to thoughtlessly sing your heart out with the radio}, khaki shorts, and even a pretty dang amazing cowboy hat.  ¡Oh, y yo estaba practicando mi español porque ellos no hablan inglés en peru!  It's pretty weird to have to worry about packing malaria pills, or trying to keep in mind that I can't wear black or white in the rainforest because black attracts mosquitoes {including the ones carrying the malaria} and white scares away the birds.  But whatever.  I'm psyched!
  Unfortunately, I still can't focus completely on packing.  I'm scheduled to take the final exam for my online class tomorrow.  Like I said in an earlier post, I locked myself in my room and got about five weeks worth of material finished in five days.  The deadline for the class isn't until the twenty-eighth, but I don't get back to the twenty-ninth.  See my problem?  I was able to do it, though, so now all I have to do is study all those terms about computers and hope that I'll do well!
  Now I know I was just saying that I need to study, but about an hour ago Dad had me practice my driving.  One of the cars was in the repair shop, so we got to borrow a nice little car that was perfect for me to drive in.  I've only gotten behind the wheel three times before now {two of those times in the parking lot} but all of a sudden I realized that Dad had led me onto the freeway.  The freeway!?  I panicked slightly.  Well, maybe more than slightly.  But just like I was able to quickly adjust to intersections, I realized after a few seconds that it really isn't all that bad!  I felt older {smiley face}.
  Anyway, I really do need to study now. ¡Adiós!