Bahama Mama

Hi Everyone -

I can't begin to sum up the last 24 hours but here is my small attempt at it. I was sleep deprived when taking the flight into Nassau. The airport was mad! There were so many people travelling that I almost got lost in the check-in line and there was a barking dog in the airport to boot. I was trying to get some shut eye on the flight to Nassau but it was only 4o mins. long. Remember that excitement I was taking about, how I wasn't sure I would be . . . well when I opened my eyes to see the crystal blue water, it flooded over me! I got in a taxi whose driver drove like a bat outta hell (reminded me of you Lisa) and I got to my hotel. It was perfect. I slept in watched Magnum P.I., took some pictures, ate McDonald's (I know, I know), and just took it all in. I'm now on the ship and I have checked into my cabin, it's small, but like everything else perfect. I cried once. My dad, brother, and sister prayed I would have a great trip and be safe and it hit me I was saying good-bye again. I miss my mom so much. She would be so proud to see her baby live her dream. I'm off to bed but the I just wanted you to get the low down so far. Oh Khy and Wendy -- you were right . . . I am quite the looker here on the island and let's just say I have had a few offers come my way. AAAAHHHHHH girl!

Nassau . . . Here I Come!

All right folks - Tommorrow morning I make my way to the Bahamas and as I'm writing this next entry I still have to pack and tie up some loose ends. My brother is kindly looking over my shoulder and making harassing remarks about how I need to hurry up, he's right (unfortunately). I apologize for not getting in touch with everyone but I hope you keep checking in to hear about the crazy stuff I get myself into during my travels! I promise my next entry will be a good one! Shayla

Time is Winding Down

Hi All-

I have 2 days before I fly into Nassau to begin my voyage with Semester at Sea. I'm still running around trying to get everything done before I go. Am I excited? Yes and no. I have no idea what to expect or who I will meet or even how this will change my life . . . if it will change my life! How could it not. My friends already know how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time. I look forward to rolling my luggage up to that massive ship which I will call my home for the next 4 months and taking one deep, full breath and Go! I just got my camera today and once I figure out all of the fun little do dads on it, I will upload some pictures to this wonderful site of mine. Mind you I'm just getting use to all the hip new technology out there -- this is coming from someone who doesn't even own a cell phone (what for). All right, I just wanted to write my first blog entry while downloading music to my ipod (thank you again to all of my lovely, wonderful, generous, awesome friends from AAU -- special thanks to my ARC family to whom I owe the best 2 yrs. of my "career").