BWWWAAAAA!

17 days. I leave for Glasgow in 17 days. It's completely and utterly ridiculous. I remember finally deciding to study abroad for sure back in August. And it's almost here. Things are slowly coming together as it gets closer. I finally got all the financial aide transactions figured out, which is excellent, and means I'll have proof of financial stability (which is required to get a student visa!) once I leave. I've also been pre-approved for several of the classes I signed up for, but I won't be officially enrolled into any of the classes until I get there and go through orientation. It's a three day long event starting the day after I get there. That's both nice and terrifying, because I'll just be left to my own devices for the first night. I'm just hoping the jet lag isn't too awful. I've never traveled so far away, and I don't really know what to expect. Basically, I'm a big ol' bubbling pot of anxiety, stress, nerves and excitement. I have yet to even think about packing, which I know will be horrible. I am a clothes hoarder, and whittling down my whole closet to a suitcase and a backpack may or may not result in strong language and/or tears. Most likely a lot of both. I anticipate many cups of tea and lots of chocolate. Also, I'm going to try and overdose on spicy food before I go, and hopefully I'll be swearing that I don't want to see spices for 5 months. Given that British food is apparently based on mashed potatoes and a lot of meat, I'll be very ready for a pile of Sriracha once I get back. Like this.

Busy Bee, Batman

So. Hopefully you are aware that I plan on studying abroad in Glasgow, Scotland over Spring semester, 2012. So far, I'll I've accomplished is getting a passport, being accepted, applying for housing and getting a migraine. I have a lot left to do. I've been working on getting financial aide figured out, which is a nightmare and a half. I love the U of M, I really, really do. But it's when you are trying to get administrative things done that it SUCKS to go to a large school. I've been running around, filling out SACE (study abroad cost estimate) forms, meeting with financial planners and trying to coordinate everything between different departments. I also have yet to register officially with UG. They are totally old school and you still have to sign up for classes in person while at orientation. They also only take payments over the phone, instead of through an online portal. Which was a pain in the rear, but also kind of nifty, because I got to make an international phone call and hear their sweet accents. Anyways. My plans for here will be to keep you all updated on my plans while getting ready to go, while I'm there and when I come back. Hopefully I'll be able to update pretty frequently... but I'll be both busy and legally able to drink... so don't hold me to that. :)