Sunday, December 26, 2010

In a week...

...I will be in the fabulous country of Ireland!  As each day comes and goes, I feel like I get more prepared but less prepared....if that makes sense. 

I am getting more mentally prepared because I think that I am completely ready now to leave the states for five months and start a new adventure.  The past week and a half spent in Carlisle has been relaxing and full of festivities, but I have realized that it is definitely time to get out of here, be in a city and be on my own.  Don't get me wrong, I love Carlisle and West Chester, but I need something new and different

I am less prepared because I realize that I have about five days to finish making all of my last minute purchases, say bye to everyone, and last but definitely not least, pack.  Packing will be a struggle for me because I always over-pack.  The advice given from past study abroad students is always, "You will never regret packing too little," but I keep thinking that I will!  I never know what I will be in the mood to wear or what the weather will be like or what kind of clothes the Irish wear to go out, etc. 

There is still a lot to do before I leave, but I'm sure that when 7pm on Saturday rolls around, I will be completely prepared. 

Monday, December 13, 2010

Final days at WCU....

After sitting in the library for six consecutive hours now....I've decided that it's time to take a break from the always exciting Political Communication studying and write my first blog ever!

Finals start tomorrow....am I prepared?  Partially.  I leave West Chester on Thursday...am I ready?  Somewhat.  I have to say goodbye to all of my college friends throughout the week...do I want to?  No.  I leave for Ireland in exactly 18 days, 13 hours and 29 minutes...give or take a few seconds...am I excited? YES!!!

Studying abroad is something that I've always known that I wanted to do.  Being in Ireland for five months will change my life completely.  As much as I know I want to go and as much as I know that it will be an experience that I want/need/have to expose myself to, I am terrified to leave my comfort zone of West Chester, Carlisle and the United States of America in general.  


But that's what studying abroad is all about, right?  Getting out of your comfort zone and figuring out who you really are.  I can not wait to see the person that I become while in Ireland; hopefully a more independent, confident version of myself.

And now that I've procrastinated enough...there is exactly 18 days, 13 hours and 9 minutes until I leave for the Emerald Isle...