Everything is backwards...

Well I'm here. The flight was long, annoyingly long. Thank goodness I won't have to do it again 'til December.

So basically, I'm terrified (just to get that out there). I don't think I realized how terrified I was until I got on campus and realized I have no idea how to get around and I don't know anyone. I know it'll be fine, yadda yadda yadda, but I'm still questioning everything.

So first impression, everyone has accents! I knew it, but it's totally different hearing it. When we got off the plane the led us through the terminal and opened it as we went. It is also weird having the cars and roads all backwards. I'm worried I'll look the wrong way when crossing the street or something. It's also cold! I could see my breath this morning when we were walking to the taxi stand.

So, today we went on a walk around this side of the city using a guide book as our guide. We went to the Botanic Gardens, walked around the campus, checked out some shops. It's nice, it'll be fun once we've slept and are functioning like normal people again.

After a couple hour nap in the afternoon we walked in the down town area which, once again, will be nicer the next time we're there I'm sure and now we're relaxing in the hotel and will probably pass out soon.

More when I have reliable internet!

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

So today is a big day, a big big day. I'm going to Scotland. My bags are all packed I just need to get them down the stairs. It's hard to believe I was able to fit everything into three bags, and I really hope I didn't forget anything!

Our flight is at 3:30 with a layover in Philly before we get into Glasgow around 7 tomorrow morning. It sounds like once we drop our stuff off at the hotel we're going to go on a walking tour around the city. Hopefully we'll sleep through the flight so we'll be able to explore and not fall asleep in the middle of the street, but but tomorrow might be a short day anyway.

While there are a lot of things I'm terrified about and sad about (leaving my friends, family, Goucher, Lee...), I'm trying to focus on the positives about my trip and what I'm thankful for. So here it goes.

I'm excited about meeting new people and seeing new places. I want to travel and explore cities and countries. I'm looking forward to learning new things and taking new classes. Basically, I'm just ready to go. I've read the books I've looked on google maps, the only thing left to do now is just go for it.

Thank you to my dad for driving the Boston-Baltimore route at least 7 times over the past three years. Thank you to my mom for driving to the airport more within the past three years than probably all the previous years combined. Thank you to Christy for keeping my room company while I'm gone. Thank you to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus for hours of musical travel entertainment. Thank you to Skype for allowing me to stay in contact with my friends and family. Thank you to facebook for existing. Thank you to professors who are willing to answer endless amounts of questions about grad school applications. Thank you to Lee for reminding me of all the little things I seem to have forgotten along the way...

So let's go, I'm ready for this new adventure. Watermelon.

Money?

I knew that I would be spending a fair amount of money while abroad. I've been planning on traveling around Britain and buying souvenirs and food, but I hadn't taken into account the amount of money I'd be spending to prepare for the semester.

I have had to stock up on 4 months worth of prescriptions, tour books on the countries I want to visit, movies/tv shows for slow nights or long train rides, etc.

I hope it all fits in my suitcase and goes to good use!