Through the planning and preparations involved with spending a month in Uganda, I've come to learn, it's not so easy.

There's so much involved in planning a trip anywhere, but something about planning for a month, alone, in East Africa has really caused me to realize that it takes a lot of work to pull something like this off.

When I first decided to go to Uganda, the biggest obstacles I foresaw standing in my way were money and vaccinations. As it turns out, my predictions were correct and incomplete.

Yes, I knew it wouldn't be cheap, but that ended up being the understatement of the year. And the shots? Oh, the shots. I'm not a fan of needles, as I mentioned in my first journal, but it's become just a bit ridiculous. Luckily, I have only one more to go.

As if that wasn't all enough, throw in a dash of waivers, planning and buying supplies, and you've got yourself a stress cocktail.

If it sounds like this trip is more trouble than it's worth or I'm regretting my decision to go, I apologize. That couldn't be farther from the truth. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have the opportunity to not only see the world, but also to help people in the process. It's a pretty good deal.

Actually, the biggest issue I'm dealing with now is my wretched impatience. I'm ready to hop on a plane and go. The thought of about a month of school to go is painful. I want to be there, and I want to be there now.

I'm tired of thinking about Uganda. I want to experience it. In my mind, I'm already there. Now, it's just a matter of body joining mentality, and I'll be content.

It's time I work in the Nagalama (the village I'll be staying). It's time I whitewater raft down the Nile. It's time I ride on the back of a boda-boda (scooter taxis). It's just time.