what a cluster it's been the past few days! i took a great trip with my friends to vegas. we enjoyed the pool at mandalay bay, got our tan on, and shopped 'til we dropped. h&m at caesars is amazing. you should go! willie wasn't coming because he "had to work" but surprised us all on friday night while we were eating at the one and only cheesecake factory. it was so fun!
we got back on sunday afternoon, father's day. enjoyed a great dinner and then it was crunch time. i officially had one full day to get ready for a 2 month trip! ha! but...i pulled it out. lots of errands i had to run. little things to buy. stuff to pack. lists to make and check off, but it went great.
i had an early morning shot that i need for africa and we headed to the airport straight from there for my 11:15 am flight. my bag was exactly 50 pounds, but i took some things out and dropped it two pounds. phew. a little bit of a tearful goodbye with my parentals (i will be back!) and i was off to check in. there were 4 other girls on my flight including an administrator. we flew to JFK in new york and then to ireland.
i sat by the coolest guy on the flight to NY. he is a wildlife photographer from the netherlands and travels all across the world taking pictures. i asked him if he makes good money and he said no! that means he must like it. because he is spending the big bucks to travel. he was editing pictures from the tetons in yellowstone. he then showed me pictures from africa. elephants, lions, jackals. so cool. he was 15 yards away from a lion eating some animal. he was a cool dude. he was on his way back to the netherlands for the summer. i asked him where he stays when he goes and he said that he has his own camper that he just ships to the places he goes and then stays in it and can drive wherever he needs to. dang!
we had a 5 1/2 hour layover in NY. i was so dang tired. i took an unintentional tour of the airport but i had time to spare so it was okay. i slept for a few hours on the floor and then woke up to the lady announcing my flight was ready to board. i rushed to the other gate and got on just fine.
i was seated next to a couple from minnesota who won a free trip to ireland. the guy was 6'6" and had an oompa loompa for a wife. he was in the middle seat with extra long legs making it difficult for me to put down my tray table and possibly sleep! i got maybe two hours of sleep on that flight. it was interesting. he was thrilled about the complementary beer. ha. i told him i was from byu and he goes, "jimmer!" he then said, "too bad that one kid decided to be honest. the team could have gone a lot farther in the tournament." ha. he must not know too much about being honest!
we arrived safely and i was amazed at the already green land outside. so pretty. can't wait to take pictures!
the majority of our group is sitting in the airport waiting for the other group of girls who possibly missed their connection. because they obviously aren't here in ireland! too bad.
good thing my pictures won't load. i made my first purchase. sweet bracelet! also some powerade that tastes kinda weird. oh well.
i'll continue my waiting here in the airport. what an adventure awaits me!
oh yes. the night before i left, my friends came over for a "surprise" early birthday. even though i caught on pretty quick so it wasn't much of a surprise. i have the best friends and family! they gave me some great gifts so start me on my trip! love them.
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