Update Before ICON

 Well, my October travel has officially begun! I am writing this blog at the gate in Detroit before I depart for California. Traveling alone is just not for me. I mean, I can do it, but I hate the vibe and stress. This morning, I left Ada at 2:30 a.m. and found myself in a random Detroit neighborhood at 4:45 a.m., getting into an Uber. To be transparent, I should've left a little earlier because I was driving very fast to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. I thought I had the timing all planned out perfectly, but then I realized that I was looking at two hours from when the flight takes off, not two hours before it boards. I also estimated that Aggie's friend's house was ten minutes away when it was, in fact, 22 minutes away from the airport. I didn't think about the fact that an Uber would take time to get to me.

Side note: anyone who is driving an Uber at 4:30 a.m. isn't going to be normal. I expected that, but to be honest, it just didn't start off my travels in the best way. I was a little scared, so I made my dad text me until I got to TSA. At least I flew right through TSA with no issues. Now, I sit at the gate with 30 minutes before my flight boards. I hope I don't have to sit next to a weirdo or creep.

Update: I had to check my bag because the plane is so small it only fits 20 overhead bags. Given how my luck has been lately, I really did not want to check a bag. I am terrified that it won't get to Orange County. Pray for me and my next two weeks of insane travel.

Yesterday, I was invited to the Germany trip! I am beyond excited and am so grateful for the opportunity. It gets even better—one of my closest friends, Brianna Brewer, is also going on the trip! We will get to room together, and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. After telling my parents, my dad said he actually approves of that trip since I will be with a larger group of students and multiple trusted adults. He is not too happy about this trip, and I don't blame him. Honestly, I'm not even excited. That sounds terrible, but the travel is intense, I will have legitimate work to do, and no one I am super close to is attending. I am just trying to push through it and keep my expectations low so I'm not disappointed.

I'm extremely jealous of everyone who gets to enjoy their fall break with their families at home. I am, in fact, doing the opposite of taking a break. I'm going to be exhausted when I come back and can't even think about what's going to be waiting for me when I return.