I leave tomorrow, and I''ve not been this stressed out in a long time! I appreciate everyone wanting to hang out with me, its been really awesome and sweet, but at the same time, I feel like I keep letting people down because I can''t fit them in! I''ve hardly seen my parents the past few days and things have just been so stressful! But, it will all be over soon, and I guess having too much to do and too many people to see is a good thing to be stressed out about! I can''t complain about the wonderful friends I have and my fantastic family. Alright, enough with the boring part. ^M ^M TOP FIVE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS: (in the past 6 months)

5. Where are you going? - Salvador, Brazil from January 6 to March 31- 12 weeks. Then, from March 31 to May 1, who knows? I have an idea of going down the coast into the amazons, then to Argentina and Chile, then from Chile back to Salvador to fly home, but who knows. I need a travelling companion!!! anyone up for the job?

4. Why/When did you decide this? - I was really sick of school and wanted to take a break to get my head in the right place before I spend any more money at school. Don't worry, I know I have to go back and finish, and I will, just be patient with me. I decided over the summer that I wasn't going to go back, and then that I was, but I was going to take second semester off. That''s my story and I'm sticking to it.

3. Are you excited? - Yes! I am very very excited and also very nervous. But, I know it will be the experience of a lifetime and I am so grateful for that I get to do this! I never would have been able to without sooo much help from all of those people who generously donated money! THANK YOU!

2. Where are you living? I'm living in a house with all the other volunteers that are from Cross Cultural Solutions, a non-profit volunteer organization. We will have 3 meals cooked at the house and be provided with in-country transportation, which will take us back and forth from our volunteer placements. The point is to not use up local resources by staying in hotels and eating at restaurants and stuff. I'm allowed to do that, but I probably won't that often.

and last but not least, the most asked question is...

1. What are you going to be doing? I am volunteering at a local NGO house for people who have HIV or AIDS. The ages range from 3 months to very adult, and I will mostly be playing with the kids and entertaining them. I am very very excited, and don't worry, I will be extra safe, I promise! I took first aid and CPR, and I know the dangers associated with this type of work. Just think about all the great hugs I'm going to be getting!

Ok, that''s all folks... Next time I write I'll be IN BRASIL!! whooooooohoooooo!