When it comes to traveling, I'm a planner- a micro-manager. Just ask my family who will never let me live down the grueling and exhausting, "But we HAVE to see that (always one more thing)!" family vacation in Italy three years ago. That's just the way that I am. I don't want to feel as if I've missed out on anything, or to get somewhere and feel utterly lost (because I'm good at that, apparently).
So, when I received an acceptance letter from King's College London in February- just a few weeks after I submitted the application- I was all geared up to get the processing and paperwork started, get my funding and housing straightened out, my student visa applied for, and my plane tickets bought. I was going to be prepared early, and to have everything packed up and ready to head out for my year abroad.
Then the waiting started...England wasn't going to learn about The U.S.'s new Direct Loan process until the middle of June, housing offers wouldn't come out until early August, and I was not allowed to apply for a visa until I had proof that I could meet the cost of attendance (i.e., until I got a loan). So here I am, four weeks from D-day, with no visa, no plane ticket, a stomach in knots, and a DESPERATE hope that all of this does finally come together. I guess I'll find out next Friday when I have an appointment in Austin to get a visa.
What I do have are lists: a packing list, a things-to-do-before-I-leave list, a things-to-do-once-I've-gotten-there list, a places-to-go list (which is now so long I couldn't possibly see them all in two years). I've even mapped out a two week backpacking trip through France, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands including trains, hostels, points of interest, and estimated cost. I'm sure that I have all these plans written down somewhere. I've also virtually memorized the Underground system of central London and Southbank.
So I should feel somewhat prepared, right? RIGHT? Sigh.......
