Ready for Takeoff

Well, it is nearing that time where I must pack my life away into two suitcases and a carryon, shovel those items inside of a car and drive to the airport. This is where my future awaits me. Today is the beginning of my semester studying abroad in the city of Olomouc in the Czech Republic, and I have mixed emotions as I type this entry into my blog this morning. I still have materials to pack and papers to print off before I am to arrive at the airport in 72 minutes. But really, who's counting? I am not the biggest fan of flying, especially trans-Atlantic flights, as this will be my first. I can normally handle short two-to-three hour departures, but needless to say this is my total trip:

Omaha to Minneapolis - Noon to 1:20 p.m.

Minneapolis to Amsterdam - 3;30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Amsterdam to Prague - 7:25 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Prague to Olomouc - ?

So needless to say, I am looking at a 19-hour adventure today that will take me from the midwest, where the weather is overcast and the mornings are brisk, to the middle of Europe, where...the weather is overcast and the mornings are brisk. Well, it'll be like I never left home. To all of my family and friends who will be following this during my time abroad, I wish you the best in all that you do while I am gone; I will truly miss your company and companionship while I'm overseas. It will be difficult adjusting to life with family so far away, but it will be good to learn how to manage my life on my own. I will be updating this blog with entries everyday (at least I will try) with my encounters and my experiences through my typing and my photographs.

Well, I must be getting the final preparations made before we leave and I say goodbye to my family for the final time for just over 10 weeks. To the rest of you, keep me in your prayers and in your thoughts as I put my life in the hands of a big piece of metal with propellers.

Update later once we make our arrival in Europe. God bless.