Current mood:	artistic
Current music:	The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket

Booked!!!
I haven't written in a while, but I felt that booking my trip to Europe (Finally!!!) was worth a post. I bought the round trip tickets from LA to London and back, and then the flight from London to Barcelona, Spain. We still have to buy the tickets from Greece (probably Athens) to Dublin, and then Dublin back to London, but that can wait a little closer to our departure date. So for right now, the most important tickets have been purchased... the tickets that mean I cannot decide I can't afford to go. I can't decide I don't want to go (though that's pretty much impossible). And I can't trip and crack my head open, or get hit by a car, or anything like that (knock on wood).

The trip is from May 20th to June 30th, so about 6 weeks give or take. I can't tell you how long I've wanted to backpack through Europe. I've been to France, and I've (kind of) been to London, but I was only 17 and ill equipped to enjoy it to its full potential... especially considering it was with school. I'm a tad nervous money wise. I mean, I could afford all my tickets right now, if I wanted to buy them all right now. It's the actual funding of the stay there that I'm a little more concerned about. I know I'm saving my butt off. I know my dad knows I'm going and is planning to help me. I also know I have to buy a shit load of things... like a backpack, and a better memory card for my camera, and those European outlet adaptors for my hair dryer. I know it sounds like mediocre worries/expenses, but it's expensive, and kind of necessary stuff. The only thing that blinds me to these things is the anticipation of the trip itself. And since I'm now locked in, I must admit... I'm a bit giddy!

We start in London, fly immediately to Barcelona, move along the coast from France, to Italy, to Greece, and then fly to Dublin, to enjoy Ireland and Scottland, and then we go back to London for a time, and then fly home. Justin (my roomie going with me) is an architect, so I can trust him to drag me to every worthwhile structure in every country (I declared my particular interest in art and castles... and of course food). He can count on me to get him drunk in Dublin... as it is my dutiful task to make sure he aquires a taste for beer (which he currently doesn't like). I'm also looking forward to the beaches, and riding vespas everywhere. I have a little info on Ireland (good tips/places from someone I know who went), but we still have to sort of manifest a real itinerary. We by no means have any set plans yet... just errant desires for this trip that we just today dedicated ourselves to.

Oh, and if I happen to trip over a hot Irish guy, and he stumbles upon some cute Spanish dude, well... that would just be some sweet icing on the cake now wouldn't it? I dated a Greek guy once... they aren't bad either. But I'm more for the British Isles... what can I say? I'm a sucker for the right accent. ;)

Seriously. I'm both exuberant and a tad paniced. I'm sure I'll be more secure the closer it comes. I just don't want to go and starve. It seems like a reasonable request... or rather, hope. Anyhow, besides that, I'm applying to Phd programs. I know, I know... will she ever be done with school!?! you ask. Yes, in 5 more years or so... that is, if I get accepted anywhere. I'm applying to 12 schools. It feels like a lucky number. 1 out of 12 better accept me, and offer me a fantastic stipend, or I'm kind of screwed. I don't need any more looming debt. But even if I'm looking at 30 before I'm really done with my education, I'm kind of excited about that too. I really hope this horrible application process isn't for nothing, and that schools still want to accept me as an English major when I've done nothing but creative writing for the last few years. Oh yeah, the thesis I'm doing is coming along okay. It's not as monstrous as it once seemed. I'm picking away at this oh-so-large ambitious thing.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well! I'm sorry I'm not more on top of posting, but I promise I'll work hard at throwing all the important stuff up on here! Miss you all... as I am off in my own little busy world lately. Hope to be out of it soon!