It is 2am, 24 days until Paris and 31 days until my program officially starts, and I have spent a long time watching videos on YouTube for "How to pack like a pro!" and "Packing for time in Europe".
I can't believe it is all happening so soon!
Ok- the game plan for the trip is as follows--
My mom and I will fly from Chicago to Paris on Jan 21, spend a few days staying in Paris and sightseeing, then we are taking the train through the Chunnel to London. I will be in London a few nights prior to the start of my program (which starts on Jan. 27th).
I will be living in Earls Court, London:
I'll be living in a flat with students from my college as well as some from other liberal arts colleges in the midwest(ish).
I know a few of the girls from my college and they all are really nice (generally everyone from Ripon is nice, actually) so I am looking forward to spending time with them as well as the other people on the program!
Lately I've been getting the "wow, why are you going abroad so early" reaction, which I suppose is understandable because I am only 19 and a sophomore. I guess I just figured that while my major is still undeclared that I should take the opportunity before I really have to worry about credits for my major. All-in-all not really the smartest decision but I'm choosing not to worry about all that yet.
Last night for dinner my Dad and I made this Bobby Flay special italian pasta over arugula with fresh home-made garlic bread...... which leads me to an important thing that I should mention in this blog early on. I like food, a lot. I watch food network a lot and enjoy going to restaurants and making memories associated with food. (If only I liked exercise as much as I love food-- I don't think I'm alone in that.) So to give you fair warning, a lot of these blog posts, especially once I get to Italy in the spring, will be about food. Try to bring your screen protectors- I wouldn't want you to droll on your computer but I can't promise anything.
Big things that still need to be done:
Suitcase purchased
Phone/Skype Plan figured out
Clothes....
At least I have my passport and plane ticket.... OH! SPEAKING OF TICKETS!
I am also very excited because my second weekend in London, Feb. 3rd, Kristyn (a friend from my college on the program) and I are going to see JOHN AND HANK GREEN IN LONDON!**
I guess right now I am just nervous that it is so soon- but I am also more excited as it gets closer!!!
For those of you just tuning in- Hello!
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @walesnotwelsh
and also on Flickr where I will post my photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/91611377@N04/ (so that people without facebook can see them)
Well, I should probably go to sleep now.
Ciao!
**John Green is my FAVORITE Young Adult author, Hank is his talented musical sciencegeek brother, they will be there promoting John's book The Fault In Our Stars.
