Balls in my court

(View from my room)

I made a decision.

I don't want to censor myself on this thing. I want to take blogging seriously and really "dig deep" because I think that the result will be really gratifying if I stay true to myself (and ultimately others). I've been afraid of saying "it's hard" because I haven't really heard anyone else say that and there's always a desire to fit in.

But it's hard.

I'm being honest with everyone - it is singlehandedly the most overwhelming experience of my life. College was definitely stressful in its own respect but I had two cousins and my best friend from school all going to Northeastern so that made it much easier. But being in a foreign country, armed with only two suitcases, and everything is new... new faces, new language, new change of scenery.... it freaked me out truthfully. I guess it didn't help that I came alone. But I'm taking each day at a time. I think this is what culture shock is. At the end of the day I think I'll come out a much stronger person... Everyone has told me that the most important thing is to do what I want to do, in terms of traveling where I want, going out when and where I want... and doing the things that I want to do. Drinking here is a big deal, and it's not exactly a secret that Simona isn't a big drinker. So I hope that the newbies that just moved in are cool with that. I'm kind of an old soul I suppose, and I have my own ways of having a good time.

Falling asleep last night was actually impossible. Tossing and turning to the max. I don't know if it was nerves or what I ate combined with a few pints of beer, but... I was feeling ill. No bueno. I think I finally dozed off at 6 and was able to get in some nap time and awoke to my new neighbors moving in.

We finally have some water so I'm looking forward to my first shower here and then taking on the day via shopping at Tesco for some groceries and some kitchen basics.

S.

Zipping up and heading out

People have been confessing to reading my blog - I'm thrilled!

So I'm sitting at the corner of my bed, feverishly typing away before putting on my makeup, zipping up my second bag, and heading out (without my Blackberry).

Luckily I was able to fit everything into two large suitcases - and was able to sneak in an extra coat, a roll of toilet paper (since when is brown toilet paper okay?), and other things I wasn't originally going to bring but decided to go for it since I have the room and all. I can't believe this is it! My flight isn't until 4PM but we still have some errands to run before heading over to JFK.

Will obviously update once I land and get my internet set up. Here's to landing safely... and what I hope will be an amazing next four months of my life.

S.

Less than five, more than three

So I've got four days until my 4pm flight on Thursday. I'm packed... if packed means four pairs of jeans, two tanks, and two tops. Packing scares me. I think it makes things more real, with each article of clothing out of my dresser and into one of two suitcases.

I'm constantly in limbo between total excitement and total nausea-inducing anxiety. I have no idea what to expect, who I'll meet, what I'll do, where I'll go, what I'll eat (clearly the foodie in me). And yet. I have no choice at this point. I am getting on that flight a little after 4pm and will be in Prague the following day at 6:15 AM.

I have no idea what to bring with me. Of course clothes. Of course other essentials like my laptop, a small notebook with Prague Tips! already scribbled in, an iPod here, a camera there. But I want to bring everything. Just in case. Like the shampoos I love, even though I was told not to bring toiletries. And toilet paper because what if the Czech kind isn't soft enough?!

I'm ready, but I'm not. Definitely not in the physical sense, as evidenced by my empty suitcase(s). Mentally, I'm getting there. Talking to others has definitely set my mind at ease. Plus two of my best friends are abroad and seem to be still intact. So I should be fine.

I know everything will work out. I've been strongly advised against planning anything out and just letting things happen as they will. I shall do my best.

And will document along the way. Stay tuned.

S.