The countdown began and now it's literally around the corner. Take out the next couple days for Christmas shenanigans with the family and we have about 2 days (now 1.5) to get our lives together because no matter what we're going to be at the airport Saturday morning at 9:30 am. So as far as updates go...we've been scrambling around making sure everything is in line, including that 50 lb. weight limit for our checked bag. We've both found way too many never worn clothing items or things we forgot we had (Carmel girl prob according to our friends). 

In case anyone is wondering the exchange rate is SUPER awesome right now *cough* not *cough*. Just some tips for fellow travelers and info for anyone curious: First, the bank (at least Chase) can order money without the international fee added. If you want 500 euro right now, that's about $725.40 (and by about we mean definitely that exact amount, at least today). We are pretty lucky because there are ATMs and banks on the base but budgeting is going to be necessary (LOL we're pros). Pretty much we've decided we will be sacrificing food for travel and that's our budget plan. 

While we're preparing as much as possible, we are well aware we're going to have to roll with the punches on some things. For example, we're getting into Germany on a Sunday and for those who may not know (we didn't) Sunday is actually a day of rest there. While we are totally cool resting after a 9.5 hour flight, we're a tad concerned about the whole no food or supplies in our house thing. Don't worry, we know we won't wither away with the amount of Puerta's we've consumed in the last three years but Diet Coke and mac n cheese would definitely be comforting to have when we arrive. 

So for now friends, we will be enjoying the holidays with our families (and all forms of social media) and we we hope do the same!! 

For those of you who haven't heard anything about our semester...we are more than thankful that we managed to pass everything. After many all nighters and attempted all nighters (because we're old and no longer excited freshman) we made it to the end of our classes on Ball State's campus forever. To that, we say HOLLA! While our excitement levels were very high yesterday morning (2pm because that's when we both woke up), they were quickly lowered when we realized the daunting task of packing for four months had to be started. As you can see in the picture...we have a LOT of work to do.

There is some organized chaos going on here because of Alex's addiction to Pinterest and her hate of my terrible packing skills. Apparently everything is going to be done in "pods", which means that we can only take certain colors and clothing items that can be switched around. This is actually pretty smart seeing as we get one checked suitcase, a carry on and a backpack...for FOUR months. (Yes, I will continue saying that to let it sink in).

After talking to our classroom teachers, Alex will be allowed to wear jeans while I'm still stuck in good 'ol teachers clothes. The good news is, the schools there are ten times more laid back than they are here so some high waisted pants and a sweater are totally acceptable (not to mention our nose rings!). One thing we will be packing that we (I) didn't utilize in the last 3.5 years of college is our workout clothes! Yes...we will let that one sink in for all of our friends (Dad) reading this. Apparently there are full on teacher workout classes with trips to the pool/jacuzzi out back afterwards! Basically, we have to participate in the activities our teachers do because we will most likely be hitching rides with them to the school. So...workout clothes it is. 

All of you out there who know about our shoe hoarding and packing problems (mainly me, fine) feel free to send ideas or encouragement as we attempt to conquer this task. 

It's crazy to say it, but we will be on a plane in exactly 2 weeks anxiously awaiting our arrival in Frankfurt. Alex will probably be passed out, waking up all the neighbors with her snoring and I'll probably be up counting down the seconds until we land.

The information we've gotten in the last few days about our trip has been pretty overwhelming. For example, we were told that it's rude to be loud in public places like restaurants...seriously? Anyone who has been anywhere with Alex will know that this alone could be the biggest issue we have in our four months there. As for myself, I'm more worried about the fact that apparently food standards are higher there so I won't be getting access to a $1 McDouble.

As the two week mark smacks us in the face we've realized we're getting sick of each other and packing is going to be a disaster. Hopefully (because we have to) we'll get over this soon so we don't strangle each other before we get through security. Happy countdown to us eh?

We are officially headed into our final week of school. While we frantically try to figure out when our special ed final is (really if anyone knows...hit us up), we let it sink in that it will be a week of lasts for us. To this day, we have yet to hear anyone say "Leaving college is the best! You're going to love it!" So, you can see how we could be slightly sad knowing it's our last all nighter in the bhood with our friends and our last time dreading Monday on campus because the alternative to all that is the real world. The big, scary, dreaded, real world...where staying up late is 10:30 because of that 6am alarm and it's exciting to try a new low calorie recipe because you care about your cholesterol (or whatever). WOW...the excitement and anticipation is KILLING us. This means we are not looking at finals week with the impending doom that most people do. Instead, it will be a refreshing reminder that we are still at the point of avoiding those $80,000 in loan debt. 

So our top 5 list of things to look forward to this week (including but not limited to):

1. Bhood all nighter (as mentioned above)
2. Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (Tuesday at 10pm on CBS...you're welcome)
3. Work...because who doesn't like to get paid to study for finals (*cough* write blog posts *cough*)
4. Eating campus food (if you don't like Woodworth mac n cheese you are WACK) 
5. Going to the Germany presentation done by this semesters student teachers!! (Wednesday at 10 in TC 1008 if anyone else is interested)

Clearly we plan on taking full advantage of our last week as stressed out college kids in Muncie because we know looking back it's these times we are going to wish we had back. 

While joining in on procrastinating final projects and going to Dill in honor of the final weekend in Muncie, it just hit us yesterday (in the middle of our student teaching orientation meeting) that we will be headed across the globe in T-22 days. So in honor of finals week coming up we'd like to introduce our blog! We've decided to have a two part blog actually...one for the family and friends who read and one for everyone else (our friends at school) who are too lazy to read and would rather laugh at our GoPro shenanigans. 

We aren't 100% sure how we're going to set up our posts since this is a whole new world for us technologically challenged friends. Keeping that in mind, we figure the basics should come first. You know...who are you? Where are you living? Why are you going? To help out the family or friends who may not know one of us, here's a quick review.

Directly above, you will see a lovely picture of us riding a bus to King's Island. As you see we are already world travelers. We are seniors at Ball State University studying elementary and special education. (Yes, we have two majors...only because we are overachievers of course). Some of our hobbies include eating and watching Criminal Minds or NCIS while in our fuzzy pajamas. We both recently finished in our roles as VP of Risk Management and VP of Recruitment for the Delta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi. Actually, we met the first day we joined the sorority and really haven't been far apart since. (Literally we live 4 minutes away from each other in Carmel). Basically, we're just two normal girls that bonded over McDonald's diet coke and never looked back. 

As to where we will be, please refer to the map below. Honestly, that's pretty awesome that we can literally give you a google map to click on...maybe that's the whole technology challenged thing coming out but regardless, COOL! That is pointing to Ramstein-Miesenbach, which is where the Ramstein Air Force Base is located. Yes, we will be student teaching on an American AFB, so for all of you worried about us not knowing German...well you still should be because we aren't living on the base. Alex will be in first grade and Kelby will be in kindergarten at Ramstein Elementary School. Plans are still up in the air right now for living arrangements but we should be in a house with approximately eight other student teachers from Ball State. From what we are told, it is a three story house about ten minutes from the base. From what we are also told, they don't plow the streets so our love of winter will only be exemplified I am sure. Have no fear, we have both invested in fur lined boots and fur hooded coats. (Fake fur...don't worry we only eat the animals, we don't wear them). 

That's probably plenty for our first post...and we have class to get to. So, over and out internet. Get ready for some interesting reads!!