Anxiously Awaiting...

Welcome to the very first Travel Blog of the one and only Anthony Medina.

As I sit in my front of my computer screen, in my comfortable Secaucus New Jersey abode-- exhausted from a day of doing basically nothing-- I am amazed by the fact that the whole "going abroad" thing hasn't really sunk in yet.

It is 2 o'clock in  the morning. I am just now reflecting on my day (which has been a good reflection of my entire break).

I woke up at the crack of.... uh noon... wiped the eye-crusties from my sunken eyes (due to lack of adequate sleep), drank a cup of coffee that my mother prepared and proceeded to sink into the comfortable couch in my living room.

I texted my girlfriend, Maddy, to check on her whereabouts and see what my day might look like. She was at a graduation party (yeah I know, I was a bit confused at the idea of a grad party at 1:30 too) and wouldn't be able to chill for a while.

With my typical plans shot down, I reverted to my back-up plan, which consisted of sinking further into the couch, having a second cup of coffee, and watching hours of television-- all while refusing to put my pants on.

From this point on I alternated effortlessly between episodes of Dr. Oz and Ax Men. On and on it went. Operation Wild on Planet Green, Destination Truth on Syfy, an episode of Dragonball Z! 

Decisions, decisions.

After 2 hours of doing this, my mom and I went to my grandparents house, a mere 5 minutes away, across town. There I continued my day by napping on the couch in her living room, drawing in my sketchbook, and... you guessed it more TV. My mother, Gaga (my grandma for those unaware) and I, watched Goodfellas and discussed everyday family things.

Yes... I must say my day today was everything I thought it would be. It was great! It was quiet! its was... uhm... Comfortable.Today was just like every other day this break, with the exception of seeing Maddy.

This is not to say comfortable is bad. In fact some might say I was built for comfort. However it brought to light one very daunting reality.

This comfort I'm feeling right now, at home-- surrounded by friends and family and loved ones-- can not, and will not, last much longer.

Which brings me to my current state. The reality of El Salvador has not yet fully set in. But I believe today was a very real, very frightening, very exciting, taste of what is ahead of me.

January 18th, 2012 I will leave Loyola University before the sun rises en route to San Salvador, and by the time the sun sets I will be laying my head down in my new home-- with my 20 or so strangers in a completely unknown country... 

I will be leaving behind my Family, my 3 younger brothers, my parents, grandparents, my friends (both at home and in Baltimore) and my girlfriend of nearly 3 years, Maddy.

THAT is anything but comforting.

So as I soak in the last week of perfect comfort and familiarity I am just now beginning to deal with the looming unknowns and adventure that awaits me in San Salvador. 

With a fistful of optimism and the wind at my back I will try everything in my power to prepare. But at the end of the day I think I'm just gonna wing it. Lets see how far that gets me haha. 

Until next time.

Cheers

Yours truly "Funky Cold"

Medina