Dad, Get Out of My Luggage

I triumphantly threw my last pair of pants into my luggage yesterday. I was finished packing. There are a few things that I need to put into my carry-on bag, like my laptop, but tonight I will pack away the things I usually use every day. I’d like to express major thanks to my mom who drove me around to shop for everything that I needed. Also I’d like to thank my dad who kept me company with the soundtrack of “Billy Elliott” on repeat while I triple-checked my luggage.

I spent my last days in Pinole with past and current Ivy League Connection students. Lucina Parada (Cornell 2008) and I drove around Pinole while she reassured me to study hard and have a lot of fun. Alex Elms (Cornell 2010 and UPenn 2011) and I went down to Pinole Park to throw the Frisbee around while we talked about packing and making reservations for dinners on the east coast. Although I will miss all the good people in Pinole, I intend to meet and make new friends at Brown.

After the Tony’s were over, I cleaned my room that I would be leaving for a month. It is a strange feeling to get ready for a big trip. I’ll be sleeping in a different bed and living in different places. I don’t mind much. It’s all a big adventure and I am more than ready for it.

Today, Ms. Larson gave all of Cohort #1 an early phone call at 9:30 AM. She checked in on the status of my packing and the weight of my luggage (which is 40 lbs.) while I updated her on contacting alumni. We parted on a good note, ready to meet up at 3:30 AM tomorrow morning.

Thank goodness I am in the first group that gets to leave for the ILC. I would get really antsy if another group went before me and I got to read about all their experiences on their blogs. I’ve waited patiently to get on this plane to the east coast, and the time has finally come.

I have Bossypants by Tina Fey and an SAT workbook for the 3,000 mile plane ride to Providence. See you on the other side!

Packing Is So Much Fun

If you couldn’t tell, I was being sarcastic in the title. I am frantically packing right now for our departure tomorrow. I thought I could get everything in order quickly, but apparently I was wrong. I should’ve been like Erin, who told me this morning that she had already finished packing her suitcase. I’ll try to finish as soon as possible so I can hopefully get some sleep. Regardless of how early I go to bed, though, I will be extremely tired waking up at 2:30 AM tomorrow. We’re meeting bright and early at 3:30 AM for our shuttle to the airport at 4 AM. I hope I’ll even be able to sleep; I’m too excited!

Word of advice to the second group: start packing early and see you at Brown!