Watch out Germany, here we come!

I'm normally a last minute packer but for this trip I was done packing 2 days in advance which if you ask anyone is pretty incredible. Also the fact that I was able to get everything I needed for 5 weeks into one 24 inch suitcase was pretty much a miracle. In all the craziness of being prepared ahead of time I never really got the chance to get nervous and it wasn't until I was saying goodbye to my mom and husband at the airport security line that I realized how nervous I actually was. Along with being nervous, I'm also beyond excited to get such a great opportunity. As I'm sitting at the gate I'm still constantly going over mental checklists because I always feel like I'm forgetting something even though I know I went over my checklists, my husband went over my checklists and my mom went over my checklists before I finally shut my suitcase.
Some of the big things I'm excited for are learning more about veterinary medicine, especially in the international setting. I'm also excited I get to share this experience with two of my best friends and make some new ones! I went to Germany with my mom when I was 12 and can't wait to get back and experience it in a whole other way. This will also be the first time I really travel on my own where it's my responsibility to make sure I get where I need to be with everything I need and while this is very exciting it's also what I'm most nervous about.
I'm definitely sad to be leaving my family, especially my husband because this will be the longest we have ever been apart. I couldn't be more thankful for such a sweet and encouraging husband who took the last 3 days off of work just to help me prepare for this trip. I will also miss all my animals but since my mom and husband are babysitting them I know they will have a blast and are in great hands. Hopefully we will be able to keep in touch despite the time difference while I'm gone so we can stay updated but thanks to Facebook that probably won't be a problem.
Other than that I'm ready to go, so goodbye America and hello Europe!!!