Getting Ready to Go

This is the first of what I plan to be six entries before I fly out Sept. 21. The summer has flown by and after applying to an exchange program in January, it's finally time to start thinking about finalizing travel details and saying goodbye for a few months to my family and friends. They, might I add, are the main reason for this blog. I'll try to update it as frequently as possible while I'm abroad and of course welcome any feedback about the posts or any other type of correspondence from home. I'm sure I'll miss you all terribly.

Mom has so graciously bought me two pairs of jeans so I'm decently clothed for the next few months, a new pair of tennis shoes for walking my ass off around Europe, a rain jacket and fleece to keep me warm and dry (they say it rains every day in the UK), and ginormous backpack to hold all my crap for day and weekend trips. She and my dad also have so graciously given me the means to fund my trip :-). So I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks Mom and Dad. I'm pretty sure I couldn't make this trip without your help.

I decided to go to Wales because, 1) the exchange program allowed me to use my scholarship money, 2) the Swansea University has a journalism program (but of course after I was accepted and had committed to the program I realized I didn't need to take anymore journalism classes, 3) the people speak English (although 30 percent of the population also speaks Welsh), and finally, 4) I just wanted to study abroad while it was still affordable.

Anyway, the next few weeks I'll be tying up lose ends, hangin' out with as many peeps as possible and pumping out as much work on my senior thesis as possible before leaving. Peace.

Welsh Fun Fact No. 1: There are more than 3 million sheep in Wales and almost 3 million people. Mutton anyone?