School is done!! Next stop..Charleston!!

Hello everyone!
      Well setting up my blog has been on my "to do" list for almost three weeks now (big surprise, huh??). Yesterday I turned in my final paper of my undergraduate career, which meant I could no longer find any excuses to procrastinate any further on my "to-do" list. Anyways, everything has been okay preparing for my trip. Thank you to everyone who has supported my fundraising efforts so far. I still have $1,000 left to fundraise, but I'm confident I can make it. There was an article that ran in the Statesman Journal (Salem's local paper.. check it out here http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100508/NEWS/5080327/1001/news ) and I was lucky enough to receive a few donations from generous Salem residents. And I'm hoping my "donation matching" fundraising will put a dent in the remaining amount.
      I can't believe I am going to be in Charleston in less than two weeks! For the most part, I feel mentally and physically ready. This spring, I tried my best to get out on a bike as much as possible. Although I haven't tracked my total miles, I know I have been over the 500 mile mark for a while. And my 65 mile ride hasn't happened yet (will be done within the next two days), but I've been very close on several occasions. I'm still intimidated by the idea of going up the Rocky Mountains, but I keep telling myself I have 2/3 of the trip before I have to face that obstacle. Plus, my Mom keeps telling me "you start at sea level and end at sea level..what goes up, must come down!"
      Well time for me to start packing up my room now. These four years flew by! Now onto my next adventure..biking across America!!

P.S. If you would like to donate, please visit http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/3766 and click "DONATE". Everything can be done online in 5 minutes or less! Instructions for donating by mail is also on the site. But if you plan to donate by check, please do so soon as they need to receive the funds by May 24th.

P.S.S. For those of you wondering if this blog will turn out like my "Semester at Sea" blog, do not worry. (I was quite upset with myself that I did not do a great job keeping up..) I have promised too many donors that I would keep them updated about my trip. Although Internet accessibility will be limited on the trip, I will get to a computer as often as I can to put up a little bit about my amazing bike trip.