3 Days Predeparture

I have 3 and a half days until departure to Rome and I'm pretty proud of myself for being so ready.  I did the majority of my packing on Monday, and I fit all of my stuff into one monster suitcase!  Tuesday I worked on packing my carry on bags and toiletries.  Yesterday I went shopping and bought the rest of the items I needed and now I just need to pack them and some laundry and I'm done!  It's so strange for me to think that all the items I feel I need for the next 4 months fit into a suitcase, a backpack, and a purse/bag.

Enough packing, I'm also planning a party!  Since I won't be seeing my family and friends for the next 4 months I figured I'd bring them all together for a Bon Voyage party! Of course since we live in Northern NJ, there is a chance its going to snow Friday, but the party HAS to happen since I'm  leaving Sunday! It's nothing crazy but I can't wait to see everyone!

Also yesterday I picked up the Euro's I ordered from the bank.  To my surprise, the exchange rate has gone done yet again.  I ordered 100 Euro's and paid $150, aka TERRIBLE.  Hopefully the exchange rate will realize that I am coming to Europe for 4 months and need a better rate!  I mean the bank charged processing fees blah, blah, blah but I still thought the exchange would be better.

10 Days Predeparture

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to start a blog about my experiences during my semester to study abroad and figured this snow day was as good as any to start!  I depart from Newark in approximately 10 days and I just absolutely can't believe it!

I actually started to panic today and decided that I needed to calm myself down by how else? MAKING A LIST.  And once I started with one list, several more quickly followed.  Unfortunately, my lists actually led to more panic, more specifically panic about packing.  I just don't understand how I am supposed to pack up my life for the next 4 months into two 50lbs suitcases and a carry on! 

Since the packing lists were driving me crazy, I decided to make a list of all the errands I need to run before I leave...they filled an entire page.  Why do I always wait until the last minute to do anything?!  Thankfully I have an extremely part time job and will have the majority of my days left to run all of my errands.

No matter how many travel books I read, as of now, I still feel unprepared.  Dont get me wrong, I absolutely CANNOT  wait to go to Italy, but I also have this consuming feeling that once I get there I am going to be completely lost.  I have a few handy dandy maps and tons of travel guides so hopefully the route around the city will become second nature in no time!

Yesterday I bought a travel book that discusses basically everything you need to know about Eurorail...hellooooo spring break! :)  There are so many places I want, no NEED, to see while I'm in Europe and I only have a short amount of time to do it, so planning everything out like a crazy person is my best option.

Alright I've written enough tonight so I'm going to search for some packing tips and get to sleep early in preparation for my errand day tomorrow!