The Final Countdown

As of today, I have officially begun the one week countdown until I leave for Australia! None of this has felt real until today, and I have to say I'm experiencing a lot of emotions. Let's take a look at them, shall we?

This past week I went on what I liked to a call a "Tour De College". I escaped work early due to the Snowpocalypse on Tuesday, and headed down to Lehigh when the coast was clear. It was a perfect visit. I stayed with my best friend for a few days, which was great since she's graduating after this semester. While I was there I got to see almost everyone I wanted to. The highlight: we built an igloo. Literally. It was awesome. I came home on Thursday night, took a breather, and then headed up to SUNY Albany. Two of my best friends from home go there, so I wanted to stay with them before I left. We had a nice get-together at their house last night, which was really fun. All in all, it was a really fun week. I'm so happy I got to visit my friends, but at the same time it's bittersweet. I'm going to miss them all so much!

Today I came home from SUNY Albany because my mom insisted on having a going-away party. I really didn't want to have such a production all for me, and I was really hesitant, but it ended up being just fine. So many people came - aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers, friends! - and it just made me feel so loved. To top off the day, I got an awesome cake and a ton of early birthday money!

Now that I'm in the home stretch, I am feeling stressed. I feel as if I've been shopping forever, but still don't have all that I need. I feel as if I am never going to be able to fit everything I need in 106 inches of suitcase. I feel as if my mom may never stop nagging me about how my clothing is all over the living. I feel anxious because I am a terrible flyer, and I feel badly for my friend Sarah who has to sit next to me during the flight.

But most importantly? I feel excited. See you in seven days, Oz!

Snow, Snow, Go Away

The countdown is now at two and a half weeks, and we are on the millionth snow fall of 2011. I am NOT a fan of the cold weather, but at school it never really seemed so bad. I was talking to one of my best friends from Lehigh this morning who is at school, and she was telling me that a bunch of my friends are going sledding this afternoon. I wish I could go sledding with them!

Instead I'm in New Jersey, completely snowed in. Today is my day off from work and I had a day full of errands planned. I wanted to order Australian Dollars, do some summer clothes shopping, go to the gym (bathing suit weather in less than three weeks?!), and so much more. But I'm still managing to be productive! I'm reading my IFSA-Butler brochures, making to-do and packing lists, thinking about budgeting while I'm abroad, and actually cleaning my room a little. Not too bad for a snow day!

That's all for now. Unfortunately, working two jobs doesn't make for a very exciting life. At least I have so much to look forward to in just a few weeks!