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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Countdown: 6 Days

6 days.
Only 6 days.
I am leaving the country. In 6 days.
My list of things to do is huge at this point. My packing list is slowly but surely dwindling. And my emotional tether is shredding.
However, today was a nice breath of fresh air. I went to BW and visited some of my friends and professors. It was nice to see everyone after so long, and I actually was missing school for a little while. I felt like I was missing out on things by not being there for the first semester. Then I kicked myself in the ass and reminded myself that I am going to have an amazing experience, beginning in 6 days.
I have most of my clothing laid out, and all my suitcases together. Lots of sweaters, jeans, some dress clothes, the basics. I still have to find out how much of this stuff will actually fit in my suitcase. Granted, it's a huge bag. We call it Big Blue. But unfortunately, I tend to overpack... So who knows.
I suppose I don't have much else to say until I leave. So, until then, friends.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Countdown: 15 Days (OMG)

I must apologize for my use of OMG in the title of this post, but seriously. 15 days until I get on a plane to live in another country for four months!? OH MY GOD. I haven't started anything! I almost finished my shopping, I just need to go to Target for some shirts. Because one can never have enough comfy v-necks. I got bored with Rick Steves' book, so I started a new one. I began making mental lists of things I need to pack. I have been taking care of my medical needs, including check-ups, teeth cleanings, medication refills, and physical fitness. So in all reality, I guess I have started some things. Just nothing... tangible. Because once I do that, I know it will be totally REAL.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a lovely going away party, and all of my favorite people came to say farewell. I received some very generous financial assistance, which I have already used... surprise, surprise... and I got some really lovely blessings. Like this Irish blessing from a church friend: 
"May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you."
I thought it was touching, and I'm gonna keep that card with me when I go. My sweet grandma also gave me a prayer card to reflect on, and the Deacon from my church prayed over me. I'm a pretty spiritual person, so these things meant a lot to me. I have faith that my travels will be safe and fun and, as nervous as I am, this will be a truly life changing experience. 
So back to the new book I started, I only got as far as the first page. BUT it seems so interesting! It is about a man, Robert Emmett Ginna, who made a journey from the most North to the most South point of Ireland, making a path straight down the center of the country. I cannot wait to read more. I think it'll really help inform my travels, especially when I'm able to get away from school and go sight seeing. A good family friend of mine told me that reading things like this will allow me to see sights that maybe not many see when they travel. I'll get insight from someone who has lived this, not just more and more tourist information. 
On another note, I have recently discovered that Wicked is going to be in Dublin until sometime in October! SO clearly I have to go. I mean, it's WICKED. In DUBLIN, IRELAND. How cool would that be? I wanted to see a show while I was there, anyway, and Wicked is such a good one. I saw it when it came through Cleveland's PlayhouseSquare a few years ago, and I would love to see it again. Especially with a group of new Irish friends that I'm sure I'll make as soon as I get there X)
Well, in the next fifteen days, I hope to make much more progress in my preliminary travel preparation. Until then!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

8.6.2013 Countdown: 27 Days

I re-counted the number of days until I leave... and I got 27. TWENTY SEVEN DAYS. Hot damn. I have so much to do! 
I just closed a show at Near West Theatre, and now I have nothing to do with my life. So I really should start finding things to do. My standing To-Do list before I leave:
-PACK
-Figure out foreign banking
-Learn how to use Skype
-Figure out my list of top places to visit
-Understand how to get to the university from the airport
I don't even know where to start. Oh wait, yes I do, I'll HAVE A PARTY!!
So this Friday, I'm having a going away party. And the menu is going to be awesome. We're doing an "Around the World" buffet with club sandwiches and coleslaw from America, corn salsa and guacamole from Mexico, three different kinds of hummus for the Middle East, spring rolls for Asia, bruschetta for Italy, and, of course, corned beef and cabbage for Ireland (apparently that's a very traditional part of Irish cuisine. Seems nasty to me.) I love to cook, so I'm really looking forward to making all this yummy food for the party. AND a lot of it is vegan-happy so my herbivore friends can eat as well as the carnivores.
Unfortunately, I have no new Ireland trivia for you tonight, so I'll have to get back to you all on that. But, more to come soon, I promise! Peace out for now.