As I sit here before I board my plane to begin my journey to Croatia, I have to reflect on what an absolute crazy year this has been. Last year at this time I was riding elephants and laying with tigers in Asia during "the year of Emily," this year I was struggling to keep my head above water while learning medical Spanish in a full immersion week long course. I honestly can't believe all that my classmates and I have accomplished in one measly year, but it's so impressive and completely overwhelming. We have within our heads, the knowledge to save lives and make a positive impact in the ever changing health care world and I can't wait to jump into clinicals when I return from this trip!
However, before I do that, I'm setting sail in the Adriatic Sea with 10 strangers and a friend who I met through a Tampa friend with a company called "the yacht week." This is a trip I've wanted to go on for ages, but have never had the time or found anyone to go with me, which many of you know has never stopped me before, but this trip in particular I wanted a friend: well, with friend and time available.. Off I go! Gabby will be flying from New Orleans and meeting me in Croatia, where the rest of our crew is already waiting for us. We have creatively named our boat "Slippery When Wet."
To give you an idea of the agenda on this trip.. My checked baggage consists of two boxes.. One is a giant floating island raft, the other is full of decor for our boat and random toys such as super soakers, megaphones, and glow sticks for us to utilize throughout the trip. We will be sailing on a 40 foot catamaran with 20 or so other sailboats from island to island. Don't worry, none of us will be "driving" the boat, we have a professional skipper ;). There will be people from all over the world united for one reason.. To have a great time, see amazingly beautiful sites, and of course create memories that will last a life time. For all you who kept up with my SE Asia blog, I plan to blog almost daily and will try to post as often as wifi will allow!
For now, I am going to try to catch up on the sleep I have been missing out on for the last year so I arrive energized and refreshed (ha.. Wishful thinking.. I'm flying economy where the seats recline half an inch and are as hard as rocks :/... One day maybe that can change!)
Things I'm most looking forward to:
Floating on my giant flamingo raft
Living in bikinis
NO SCHOOL
NO STUDYING
Sunshine - yes I live in Florida.. But it's been raining non stop