Hey blog buddies! Did you forget about me already? I hope not because Traveling Chelsea is preparing for another lofty trek, this time across the country, not the world. 

That’s right everybody. In case you missed my previous announcement or have yet to carefully admire my skillfully photoshopped blog banner at the top of this page, I’m off to NYC, aka the Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps, the Concrete Jungle for a summer internship at Reader’s Digest as part of the esteemed American Society of Magazine Editors program. And so once again, I have some pre-departure thoughts.

I’m extra excited because, you see, I was born in New York City approximately 21 years and 3 months ago. Sadly, I have no memory of my time as a native New Yorker and now consider myself a proud Nevadan, but I’m nonetheless looking forward to getting in touch with my urban roots.

As much as I am pumped for this trip and so grateful to have this opportunity, I am a teeny tiny bit stressed out about it. Not the whole living in a brand new big city part — I mean, I just did that. Mainly just about leaving that dusty little desert sunspot known as Las Vegas.

I know what you’re all thinking. If you were here in person you’d probably slap me upside the head and say, “Chelsea, get it together. A million people would kill to be taking on the city for the summer without a care in the world (except for the full-time internship thing).” And I know, you’re right. People make movies about this. Frank Sinatra started spreading the news, Jay Z rapped about it and even that centipede from James and the Giant Peach sang a song about it. And I am pretty darn excited, for your information. Vegas can get a little boring, too.

But Vegas is home, and no matter how you spin it, it’s always hard to leave home. Plus, knowing that I’ll have to move back to L.A. a mere two days after returning home doesn’t make me feel better.

But just as with London, all I can do is get on that plane and hope for the best. And so tomorrow, that’s what I’ll do.

So I figured I’d try to keep this blog going a little longer than planned. So far, it’s been a nice way to keep in touch with family and friends, since I’ve been living the life of a nomad. I have no idea what’s in store for this next chapter, and I doubt I’ll have as much to say as I did about the UK. But even though I won’t really be traveling much once I arrive in the big city, it’s still sure to be an adventure. I’m ready if you are.