Nearly there…!

The last time I was preparing to travel to the UK (the most glorious of trips, incidentally), I had my suitcase open on my apartment floor for about a week or two before I left, wandering around in circles whenever I was home and throwing things into a pile I’d sort later. Oh, this! Oh, this as well! It seemed like the most elaborate packing that I’d ever done. Little did I know that was nothing at all.

Now, going for some undetermined but long period of time, I’m only bringing twice as much.

It’s hard to believe it’s tomorrow. Oh, by the way, did I mention I booked my flight? It’s tomorrow. 10:45 p.m., arriving in London at 9:35 a.m. Friday. I booked a hostel too, one that I’ve decided I favour because its beds-with-curtains make me happy, make me think I’ll probably pretend at least a little bit when I’m there that I’m at Hogwarts. The oddest bit about the hostel, though, is not the fact I’m going to pretend I’m at wizarding school (that’s straight-up rad, y’all), but the fact that I’ve now had two different friends tell me they stayed at the very same place. Of all the possible places to stay in London! But this means I’ve gotten solid advice about the place, so thanks, friends. Thriends.

Life is sort of insane and I’m learning slowly to deal with it. Almost every day since last Thursday has been remarkably social and productive. I’ve been spending money the way a crazy person spends money (certainly on essential things like my plane ticket and a desperately-needed haircut, but also on a new camera lens because goddamn, I wanted a new lens), and I don’t even want to think about the number of beers I’ve consumed. Many, you guys. Many. I think it’s all done now, I think I’ve consumed my last pint of Beau’s until I come back to visit in August (and I’ve already made tentative plans with a friend to drink beers then, to nobody’s great surprise), but it’s been a great time, and there’s all kinds of words to be said about how insanely loved and special my friends have made me feel always, and especially in this last chunk of time.

But we’ll leave that for next post, shall we?

For now, I should really get back to work. Lots to do, still. Lots of scrambling around and phone calls (and oh, what fun, with my phone anxiety and all!), some laundry and an entire unpacking and repacking of my suitcases.

Tonight I’m going to dinner with my parents, aunt, uncle, and cousin. Tomorrow my mother is finishing her work day early so that she can spend some time before I go. And then tomorrow night I’m going to the airport. My parents will be driving me, of course, but my best friend is also coming to see me off. I’ll be amazed if I’m not still crying when I get onto the plane, to be honest.

But then on Friday morning I’ll get into London, and I’m really starting to get excited about that.