What a crazy morning it was. I only got about two hours of sleep last night- mostly from the heat, but nerves obviously played a big role in it as well.
When my alarm went off, I jumped straight up and started getting ready. I’m pretty sure I read over my packing list 2039481 times just to make sure I didn’t forget anything. And as I’m sitting here, I still feel like I am.
We got to the airport at a little after 6:30 or so. Checking in with the help of my mom, I was fighting back tears most of the time. After a short walk, I was already in line to go through security. I still cannot believe how big of a blur everything was.
I jumped out of line once, to take some pictures, and start saying my goodbyes. That was not fun. You would think that because I have been through this before, it would be easier. It wasn’t. The tears were unstoppable right after I gave my first hug.
I eventually got back in line, and was more than shocked when I was able to walk through security without having to be pulled aside. I’m usually that person who sets off all the alarms and gets frisked by the airport security.
Quickly shuffling my stuff around out of the security boxes, I waved to my family one last time, blew them a kiss, said one last “I love you” and started my walk to the gate with my dad’s voice in my head saying one simple word: “Sparta!”
Arriving at the gate, I met up with another girl, Erica, who is also apart of the Camp Adventure program. She is also stationed in Germany, although she is at a different base. I was able to talk to her and her parents for a little while, and they all seem truly wonderful.
I’m currently sitting here on my flight to Philadelphia, as the plane is going in and out of turbulence. I will be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of flying. I have gotten used to holding Jenny’s hand when we take off, and not having that was a little stressful. As soon as the plane started picking up speed, I closed my eyes, and literally started laughing out loud. Loudly. Obviously that was enough to get everyone’s attention, but I honestly fell asleep not long after we became parallel in the sky anyway, so it’s whatever.
I’m in the middle seat. Row 19, seat F. There is a family of three in the same row as me, but they are across what they consider an “aisle.” The little boy in the family has been complaining almost the entire way. “BUT I WANTED A PEPSI, SHE’S NOT SHARING. ARE WE THERE YET” etc. I realize that I will be working with little kids for the next four months of my life, but oh my word. It’s been tough not to just start staring at the child until he stops talking. Furthermore, my neighbors have been interesting. The man to my left is going into the Navy. Or something like that. He hasn’t spoken a word to me, but I saw his folder of information for Annapolis. The lady to my right has been on her iPhone the entire trip. From when I can tell, she has been playing Farmville, and her choice of music is not my idea of a good time.
The captain just got on the intercom not too long ago and announced that we are a bit ahead of schedule, but due to high traffic and the weather, it might take us another half hour to land. I will be thankful to have the luxury of being able to stand again, without having to stick my butt in other people’s face as I try and maneuver down to the restroom.
I think the majority of us Camp Adventure staff are meeting up in Philadelphia before we fly out, so I’m a little nervous to see how things will go. I believe I have a little less than two-hour layover when we land, so hopefully I’ll be able to make it through customs, and find my gate without much problem.
I am also hoping that I will be able to get a little bit more sleep than I have on this flight. My neighbor to the left had a good idea of putting your head flat on the tray. I tried doing it, taking off my sweatshirt for a pillow. In the process of trying to get my sweatshirt off, I think I pulled just about every muscle on the left side of my neck.
Anyway, I’ll write again when I can. The turbulence is starting up again, and I have to mentally prepare myself for our landing.
Hopefully this time I won’t start cackling.
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