One month from take-off

I am leaving for a three month trip around the world in one month. I will be studying landscape architecture in 24 countries and 50 odd cities. I have been working towards this trip for close to, if not over, two years. The fact that I will be setting out on an unbelievable adventure in one month blows my mind. There is so much to do but it seems that the most exciting part for me (packing) is still a few days away... just a few. The fact that I received my travel backpack, duffel, neck pouches for passport, money, etc. and other travel paraphernalia has made this trip even more concrete and real.

I know for a fact that I am going to miss my friends like crazy and want to talk to them all the time. I love my friends and how they add to my personality and mold me as a person. Wow, that sounds sort of self centered, but this is about me, know isn't it. This blog will be a place for my friends and family to keep track of where I am and how I am doing, as well as my experiences, good or bad.

I love my family and my friends and I realize that I am incredibly blessed to be able to go on this trip, but I am so excited to be able to go away for three months, experience all of these amazing places and be able to come back and share them with the people I love. So for all of you out there who care about your dear friend Michelle Ray and what she is doing, I send a big hey, hello, and how are ya! and I hope that you enjoy hearing about what I'm experiencing for the next four months of my life.