Fifteen.

Today my alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. After a hot shower and an even hotter cup of coffee, I got ready for my first yard sale. My best friend Bonnie and I came up with the idea of doing a yard sale together a couple of months ago as a fundraiser for our Semester at Sea trip. Since we both live out in the boonies, we decided it would be best to not have the sale in our own yards, but at the city park instead.

I drove up to the pavillion at 6:30. After unloading only two boxes of junk from my car, a few curious townsfolk showed up, ready to shop. I kindly told them that we wouldn't be ready until 8 o'clock. By the time 7:45 rolled around, there were at least 30 people dotting the outer square of the park! I couldn't understand how there were already so many people there or what they were doing up so early on a Saturday. Bonnie and I took our seats behind the cash register and her mother told everyone we were ready to start. Within seconds people flocked in and began to throw items at us, so that we could start piles for them. The entire first hour was absolute insanity. We frantically recorded which items belonged to which of us, punched numbers in a calculator, calculated change, refused to lower our prices, and bagged items in plastic Walmart sacks while people waited in the longest garage sale line I've ever seen. I was finally able to take a breather around 9:00. When I looked around, I realized we had already sold half of our merchandise! I was home and counting the cash by 2:00 p.m.

The event was an overall success. Bon and I each exceeded the fundraising goal we hoped to meet for the day. We were greeted by many familiar faces and given generous donations from several friends. If you are reading this and you are one of those people-- thank you! I am so lucky to live in a small community of caring people and grateful for all the support I have been given as I prepare for this trip.

Thirty-two.

That's how many days are left until I leave on the journey of a lifetime. This summer I am studying abroad with Semester at Sea (SAS). This program allows me to visit eight countries in 66 days while taking classes aboard a ship with other college students from all across the globe. The academic theme for our voyage is "Visualization of the Mediterranean: Politics, Conflicts, and the Arts." I am currently enrolled in 3 classes-- Global Studies, International Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. I also hope to enroll in a literature class on the add/drop day.

The MV Explorer sets sail from Halifax, Nova Scotia on my birthday and returns to Virginia on August 21, a mere two days before fall classes begin at TCU. I fly out on June 13, and I have so much to do before then!

My to do list:

• Get everything on my packing list
• Make a packing list
• Exchange dollars for local currency
• Learn the basics of Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Croatian, & Arabic (Why am I not going to a German-speaking country?)
• Send in paperwork to SAS
• Buy an international phone plan
• Read my gigantic stack of travel books
• Create a Mediterranean playlist (Yes, I make an iTunes playlist for every occasion imaginable. I think life is better with background music.)
• Order my textbooks
• Mend my crippled suitcase, or find a replacement

During my preparation, I have encountered a somewhat troubling obstacle. I took a look at my checking account balance yesterday and I presently have a whopping $6.43. What? How did this happen? I need to find a way to make money and do it quickly! Immediately ruling out the idea of illegal cash cows such as drug dealing and prostitution, I am left with few options in a town the size of Sealy. I doubt any employers are jumping at the opportunity to hire a broke and unskilled college student for only one month. So, I have decided to try the all-time glamorous job of substitute teaching. Hopefully, I can start by next week.

My friend Bonnie and I are also having a big yard sale in the city park. We will be selling all sorts of treasures including furniture, clothing, accessories, books, decor items, and more. There will also be baked goods and country lemonade available for purchase. The yard sale is on Saturday, May 29. If you would like more information, check out the facebook event.

Well that's all for my first post. I'll update again soon on my preparation and fundraising efforts. Let the countdown begin!