pre-trip: saying it while it's still on my mind

it's time to make my first entry in this 'New Zealand blog' of mine. not because I'm really super close to leaving (thankfully), but because now, at just over two months from my departure date, it's hitting me how difficult this move is going to be for me. I'm trying not to think negatively about this trip at all, because really, what do I have to complain about? but man.. it really did hit me just a few moments ago. this is something I'm doing alone.
and I've never moved somewhere alone. even when I went to Loyalist, and I didn't technically *know* anyone there, I was still an hour's drive from one of my best friend's houses, and my mom was a non-long-distance phone call away when I needed her (and I did). this is totally different. this is me being somewhere where I literally have no prior ties to connect me. I'm not worried about my safety. (.. and Gramma, I'm sure that makes you crazy to read that, but I'm leaving the worrying about my well-being up to you, ok?) the scary thought about it to me right now is not having my confidantes anywhere near me if I need to talk to someone. my closest friends will be a day behind me. it's really daunting.
I wanted to write about this because it's something I know I'm going to have to face nearly as soon as I disembark off my plane in Auckland. I also know and trust that this trip is going to be one of the best things I've ever decided to do. scary as it is right now, I'm so proud of myself for doing this, and sticking with it to see it through to fruition. I always talked and dreamt about 'travelling', but now it actually has substance and I can say that I am doing what I have always said I would.

making it count.
-Heather