Are We There Yet?

Packing is perhaps the one time I wish I was a boy. That way I would have had half the clothes, one-fifth of the shoes, and everything would have fit in one bag. But after a week, countless little shopping trips, and an argument about why it is necessary to bring three travel-sized toothpastes in addition to the large one I already have, everything has been successfully packed away. The question is: Am I coordinated enough to maneuver it all through the airport myself?

However, all of this pales in comparison to the fact that in just 5 short hours I will be on a plane to London! It still has yet to sink in that I am going to study abroad for 3 months in a city/country I have always dreamed about visiting. (Not to mention the fact that I am still waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance letter.) The whole idea of actually living and going to school in England is still so surreal I can't even picture it. I suppose it won't actually hit me until I land and see it for my own eyes.

Though I have traveled out of the country several times before, this is completely different. Not only were those trips short and small, they were always taken with the comfort of my family by my side while I am taking on this journey alone. (Although, I am extremely lucky that I get to travel and go to school with some of my best friends from home.) Needless to say, coming from a small town where you can't walk into the grocery store without seeing at least fifteen people you know, it will be interesting trying to settle into city life--especially a city as big and well-traveled as London. As someone who likes being on her own at college but is just as happy being able to go home and see her family for the weekend, something like study abroad is definitely taking a big step out of my comfort zone. However, I am so excited and blessed to be able to have an experience like this, and I fully intend to make the most of it. The idea of traveling Europe, experiencing new cultures, and seeing what the world has to offer has always been such a far off dream that I can't believe that day is finally here. And there are so many memories I can't wait to start making.

So here's to living in the moment, not holding back, loving each day, and beginning what is sure to be one of the greatest adventures of my life!