I woke up around 4:30 this morning to continue my packing. After finishing and getting myself ready for the long drive ahead of my dad and I, we walked out to the car a little before 6. We had to leave a box at home that will be shipped to me later. Apparently I have too many clothes or something like that. ha ha. My mom wanted to take pictures, of course. I was starting to get a little emotional so I just wanted to get out of there. I gave my mom a very long hug and then my little sister, Madelyn. After many tears were shed, we hit the road and I didn't look back.
We made it through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and part of Alabama today. We used the new Garmin my parents gave me and let me tell you, it was an interesting experience. My dad doesn't quite trust it all the way so we brought the atlas just in case and good thing too because sometimes Garmin led us into some strange places. While we were in Alabama, we followed the path it had given us and it took us into a very devastating part of Birmingham where the tornadoes had hit in the spring. Trees were everywhere and houses demolished. It made my heart so sad and then I became so grateful for everything I have and all the opportunities I have been given in my life. That was one of the saddest things I had ever seen.
After about 14 hours of driving, my dad and I have landed in Montgomery, Alabama for the night. We will drive to Orlando tomorrow where my week of training/orientation begins on Sunday. We are staying at my uncle's sister's house tomorrow night. I'm excited to be able to know a family semi-close to me that I can hopefully go visit when I need some family time. It's almost time for me to get some sleep. I get to drive all day tomorrow because dad drove all day today.
The journey has only just begun!
