45 hours to go...

If you're reading this, you are probably mostly interested in my travel stories and pictures, which I obviously have none of yet, but I'll also be attempting to get down my thoughts of what life is like in a abroad and my attempts to navigate a largely unfamiliar situation both alone and with others.  Thanks for taking the time to follow me on this blog; I will do my best to keep it regularly updated.

I write this as I sit numbly staring at piles of clothing, books, toiletries, and other items through which I will have to sort tonight and tomorrow in order to pick those few lucky winners which will be able to fit into my two big suitcases Thursday night.  The thought that I will be leaving the country for 4 months hasn't really sunk in yet.  It still feels like a vacation, or like going to school, which is close enough that anything I forget or need can be obtained from home if necessary.  But now...these two suitcases (and 1 backpack) will contain my life for 4 months.  There's no going back, no forgetting anything.  Buying thigns over there is certainly possible, but more expensive.  It just seems so unreal.

I can't say that my two trips to Italy have prepared me that much for the coming weeks.  Sure, knowing what to expect from Europe is one thing, but this is very different.  I'm very excited, but my excitement has been masked by my frantic race to get things done and to buy things.  Getting big enough suitcases, getting passable pants and shoes for England, getting adapters, getting guide books (and having major issues with Barnes & Noble online - don't shop with them!), and trying still to cram in as much last-minute USA-based non-archival source research as possible.  There will be time to do some over there, but they say it's more difficult to get the books. 

Yes...there will be time, there will be time. For a hundred indecisions, and for a hundred visions and revisions.  45 hours to go.  Then goodbye USA until late May.  I will miss everyone I leave behind.