10 Days to Go

In only a week and three days I will be flying first to Detroit, then Amsterdam, and then Vienna: the Saturday following that, I'll be taking a train first to Frankfurt and then to Marburg to start classes that Monday. The extent of my efforts to prepare for the trip is limited mostly to some shopping and the preparation of packing lists. I have found myself in an awkward state of decision for packing: experience taught me last summer to not bring so many things to do, but this time I will be gone much longer. However, I'll also be able to buy supplies there, as well, and perhaps receive some items through packages (hint: I get to celebrate my 20th birthday in Berlin). So these reasons have led me to develop a packing list focused on light travel, although I'm sure I'll still be filling two suitcases and a backpack. I will also be depending on my computer for several functions while overseas, including (but not limited to): music, DVD watching, digital photo archiving. Another concern, then, is computer reliability and safety. Hoping we will have enough battery life, Aaron and I plan on watching a movie during the 9 hour flight to Amsterdam - Hot Fuzz, Casino Royale, or Gladiator are the options this time. A Brief List of the Aspects of My Trek to Which I Will Be Looking Forward: 1) Healthier food, healthier portions 2) Escape from cell-phones 3) Partial escape from the internet 4) Experience in a new climate 5) Experience living in big cities 6) Week long free travel 7) Reading, writing 8) A cardio-centric workout plan 9) Learning A List Concerning the Opposite: 1) 4 months away from family and friends 2) Risk of over-working 3) Being out of touch with support network 4) Returning to find everything different 5) Inescapable awkwardness and embarrassment caused by lack of language comprehension 6) Constantly changing address 7) Lack of sleep Hopefully many of these aspects will turn out better than my anxiety predicts: foresight is always an exaggeration. The next step: cleaning and packing.