She's got eyes of the bluest skies...

Suppose I'm about due for an update, especially since loose ends are finally being tied up and I am t-minus 15 (!) days until departure!

After a quite costly debacle with the Visa process--I am officially on (or will be in 15 days) a UK general student tier 4 visa!! Complete with a horrendous picture to match my horrifying passport! I am so glad that this is all straightened out and I can, in fact, proceed with my much anticipated adventure! I first applied for my visa online, paid $250 for it and then had to schedule a 'biometric' appointment in Charleston. That went fine, although I was so nervous that I'd do something wrong. Which, obviously, I did! At the appointment they took my fingerprints (did you know that typing a lot makes your fingerprints harder to capture? In essence, you lose your prints because the typing wears them off...good to know, right?) and then they took a couple of pictures. Well, being the novice at the whole Visa process, I figured that the pictures they took would be the ones sent to the UK visa office in NYC. Wrong. On top of that I forgot to mail in...hmm, let's see, a whole crap load of stuff needed to process my visa. Namely, bank records, my loan information, my diploma and that very helpful letter from the Uni saying that I actually was accepted. It took 3 tries to get my visa settled. All in all about $300 dollars. At the end of which they send me an email with a link to a handy list (although, still a little vague) of what needed to be sent with my application. Very helpful, thanks.

Needless to say, I am now in possession of my passport again, complete with UK visa sticker/thing and have made copies of it. I'm also almost completely packed for my trip and for the next year...or at least a few months. I'm not taking all of my clothes, naturally...mostly because I figure I'll want to buy clothes seeing as I love me some UK fashions! I have 3 bags and a small backpack. I'll be taking my HUGE suitcase, large backpack (as in for hiking, etc.) and small backpack with me on August 13th and stepdad Ben has graciously agreed to bring my other suitcase over in September when he comes to bring mum home! I surprisingly have managed to not go over the 50lb weight limit on any of the bags...one came in close at 44lbs, but I've since lightened it a bit! The backpack for my month long excursion is weighing in at about 23lbs which I think it fantastic considering it will carry my life for a month.

I'm starting to get really sentimental and nervous about leaving. And, despite the fact that I feel like I'm on a spending spree most days, I'm enjoying the fact that I quit working early. I've enjoyed being able to spend time with friends and family whenever I want...and on days that everyone else is leading a normal life...I like to hang out with my kitten who will miss me immensley I'm sure. :)

I am also proud to say that I've mastered Skype this week with a whole 2 sessions. One to Illinois (I think...maybe Indiana?) and another to good ol' East Berlin. Let's just say my mum is TOO funny with technology. Speaking of mum, we spent a very nice week together in early July in East Berlin (see what not having a job can do for you?). We hung out with the family, enjoyed some 4th of July-ness, cleaned and attempted to purge her storage unit and went to Hershey Park! I used to go to Hershey Park all the time and it became a little repetitive...but it's nice to go with first timers, or in my mom's case someone who hasn't been there in a long time! We rode 98% of the coasters (didn't mess with the lame ones, natch), shared a delicious chicken wrap and walked our butts off! Good times. We love each other beaucoup.

Next up is Maria's visit to Motown this weekend, which also culminates with my LAST weekend in Motown, at least as a resident. :) Seriously, so excited about that. Then I'll finish up packing/getting ready and head to PA on Friday (the 7th). Mum and I are off to NYC for a few days and then it's go time, folks!