2 Suitcases is NOT Enough!

I marvel at how much stuff I have actually accumulated over the years. I have managed to pack everything into two suite cases. However, my room looks as if nothing has been removed. My closet still contains quite a few clothes despite the 2 stuffed suitcases and the mountain of giveaway clothes in the hallway. Every year to my dorm I take more than a car full of stuff and I still feel like most of what I own is at my house in Prescott. Not to mention that I come home a lot! The fact that when I leave for the airport on Wednesday morning that I will not see my room or any of the stuff I am leaving behind for a year and a half is freaking me out!

However, I am happy with the amount of stuff that I managed to shove into those two small suitcases (120 pounds worth...ugh)! Especially considering that I need a full professional wardrobe as well as a casual one. I am the proud new owner of lots of professional clothes to make me feel snazzy for my new high class job!

The excitement is finally starting to set in! I have been stressed out over getting my visa, plane ticket, returning clothes, packing and had not let the idea of leaving really sink in. I had really come to terms with not going. Therefore, I have really had very little time to process the idea of leaving. A couple days ago I was in my room facebook-ing and watching some television rerun and then it was like the concept of my moving to London in a week resonated in my head! It still feels unreal. However, lately I have started to stress less and get excited more...and that is a great place to be!

This experience will truly be a 180 in terms of my life. Since my graduation in December I have had very little going on. I have not really been working (besides a few shifts here and there) or doing anything truly productive. I don't have that many friends here in Prescott so I haven't had much of a social life either. It's been quite boring at times. To say the least. And now I am heading off to London. A city that truly allows you never to be bored. There is so much to do that even when you sit in your room and do nothing you always know that there is endless possibilities that await outside your door. On any given day you could go the theater, a museum, a great restaurant, or just sit on a bridge and stare into the amazing face of Big Ben and glory at the fact that you are in one o the most exciting cities in the world.

During my semester abroad I took 4 easy classes and only had class on tue,wed, and thurs. Yet, I was still always busy and didn't have enough time to do everything that I wanted to! This time around I will be working full time, taking classes, and still wanting to travel and enjoy the many wonderful things that London has to offer! Good thing I have three times as long this time! In addition, last time I was constantly traveling. There was once 5 weekends in a row that I was gone for 3 or 4 days of the week. It was wonderful, don't get me wrong. However, this time I really want to focus more on being in London and soaking up the feeling of truly living and being there. I will still travel! Of course I will. However, if I could go to as many places as I did in a year as I did in 4 months I will be satisfied.

So...although my parents would love to pack up my belongings and turn my room into a home gym...I rest assured that my room will be here upon my return. My stuffed animals will be cared for. My rejected clothes will remain on their hangers and my family will go on without me. It's sad to leave and I am sure that I will miss the many great perks of home however no sadness could never come close to the great excitement and sense of adventure I feel about embarking on this journey. It truly will be one adventure of a life time...and I vow to get everything out of this experience that I possibility can.