So here we are two weeks out from departure date. This first post makes everything seem more real. I am actually going to have to pack my things up in two suitcases. I am actually boarding a plane in two weeks. I am actually going across the Atlantic. I am actually going to live in a country where I don't know the language or anyone. I really must be crazy. If this hadn't been done before, it might have made for a good book or movie deal. Too bad Diane Lane's character in Under the Tuscan Sun beat me to it.
But since it has been done before, and millions of times at that, I will survive. I will somehow manage to squeeze the essential 20 pairs of shoes I need along with my entire closet into two suitcases. I will board a plane and land safely in Florence. I will begin a new adventure abroad.
Up until this week I had been pretty calm about everything. I wasn't worried about anything in particular. Then suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks-- everything to do before I leave! Priority number one now became how will I fit everything in my suitcase (refer to 20 essential pairs of shoes above)? I've travelled internationally before, before never longer than a month. Now I'll be away for five months during which I be attending school, working as an intern, and traveling around Europe on long weekends. That's too much clothes to even consider. This dilemma is sure to cause me more stress in the next couple of weeks once I actually start putting things in a suitcase, instead of just thinking about things to put in a suitcase.
So next on list of things to do before I leave? Cram the Italian language into my brain in the next two weeks. Still working on that one... anyone know any short cuts for this?
As for everything else I need to, it's all little (but important stuff) like exchange currency, make copies of important documents, research places to visit, and other miscellaneous things that are taking up about 8 pages of notebook paper. It will all get done in time, right?
One of the things that really needed to get done before I left was my Italian visa. Thankfully that came in just before Christmas, so that was a nice early gift! I also received my Italian cell phone number yesterday which was exciting. However, I am still waiting to hear where I will be living and with whom. Hopefully that piece of information will arrive shortly.
For now I will sit here and patiently (or not so patiently) wait until the 24th arrives and I board my plane. I'm going to miss everyone so much, but am very excited about the opportunities that await. I'd love to hear from everyone while I am away, so facebook me, email me, skype me, or snail mail me with any and all updates you may have! Also if you would like to receive a post card, I'd love to send you one! Leave a comment with you address or message me via facebook.
Until next time, arrivederci!
Okay, are you seriously packing TWENTY pairs of shoes?! Depending on the type of shoes you are bringing, isn't that going to take up at least half or more of your suitcase? Lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have plenty of time to get everything by the time you leave. I mean, you don't have any classes. Practically, you have free time everyday all day long... so you can get everything done by then... depending on what the task is though. Obviously, like if it is something that is being sent to you, then yeah, you have no control over that. Lol. But you can surely get the other things done with! We have 24 hours in a day! There is plenty of time.. sort of.
You know, it still hasn't dawned on me that you are leaving. I guess it won't until you actually are gone, and I can't call you up whenever (not that I ever really do though...) or we can't hang out at all! =( *tear* but then I realize that it actually works out really well considering my weekends are taken up by nursing. So you technically picked the perfect semester to leave. BUT still... what am I going to do without you for 5 months?!
BUT, it doesn't matter because you are going to have SO MUCH FUN. You will get to experience SO much. Take tons of pictures and post it on this blog. I will be happy but jealous because I can't be in Italy or travel around Europe like you get to. Nor will I be able to anytime in the near future considering I need to save up for Cali... but it's okay. I will miss you, and you will have to skype me and tell me all the fantastic stories you will accumulate on this wonderful journey in your life!