The Countdown Begins

Three weeks. Never has this amount of time ever thrilled me and scared me more than it does now. I leave for another country way sooner than I would like to admit. Germany is just upon my doorstep, and I find myself wondering where on earth did the last six months go?

Here are the thoughts bouncing around in my head....

1.Oh for the love of God what have I gotten myself into?
2. Yes, yes, yes!!! Only three more weeks!
3. I have way too much left to do! I am never going to get it all done... crap, crap, crap!
4. When I get there I am going to do this and that....
5. Seriously. The list. It's way too much to do.
6. La, la, la, I get to have my own room.... with a door!
7. I'm not going to have carpet. My toes will be so lonely.
8. I finally will be fulfilling one of my childhood dreams!
9. I am going to miss my friends and family so much.
10. Oooo I can't wait to meet a hot German man!

That's just a few of them... you would laugh at how ridiculous some of them get. But a lot of them are legitimate. Which makes sense! I would kind of be worried if I wasn't freaking out. Who wouldn't be freaking out as it slowly hits them that they will be living in another country for a year? And so I let myself freak out, but I rein it back in when I get a little too loony (number 7 case in point).

My re-purposed history notebook.

 I am sure you are wondering what the "list" I referred to is. Well, I took one of my extra spiral notebooks and turned it into my "Germany Notebook", so original. It has everything from To-do lists to multiple packing lists (And everything else you could possibly think of). I tend to be an  over-prepared, over-packer. Which has it's wonderful qualities up until you are fighting with a flight attendant about how much your suitcase "actually" weighs....

I have to admit I have been a bit of a slacker when it has come to my list. It's just so overwhelming running a bunch of errands (nothing like yelling at Wells Fargo for messing things up with my account), talking on the phone (something I really loathe), buying things (Okay yes, shopping is not so bad. It's when money enters the equation that I want to cry), starting to take apart my room and pack, and so much more.

What kills me the most is disassembling my room. It's two years of memories and love on my part and it's tough to part with it. I also dread looking at empty walls, shelves, and furniture tops for the next three weeks.

My unconventional "headboard" above my murphy bed.

My workspace. I can hardly see the desktops either.

The idea of sorting everything into "take" and "don't take" is daunting. What do you pack for a year of life?! I shouldn't over think this, but as usual I am. I look at each piece of clothing and go "how could I not wear you for a year?" Or even tougher: my books. It's like asking me which eyeball I want to take with me. Duh! All of them! But, alas I can't take them all (but thankfully I will be taking both of my eyes).

Tying up loose ends like car insurance, where to store my car, my cell phone, the bank, etc. is driving me up a creek as well. I would rather tackle a hungry bear at this point. But it has to get done.

I am slowly picking away at these tasks, if not even completely avoiding them; choosing to be an A+ online student buried in her homework and friend obsessed. But now as the three week marker has come and as September is surely to follow, I realize that I have very little time. It's time to get this show on the road!

I will keep you posted on the way my list is shaping up. It will get done, give or take a few things. But of course the important things will get done no matter what! To those of you who see me on a frequent basis: please feel free to encourage me! I need to beat up my need to procrastinate. So definitely nag me (in a loving way please).

I leave you now to go freak out and celebrate some more.