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July 18, 2004
Beginnings
In a mere month, I will be leaving the comforts of home and traipsing abroad (as much as anyone can "traipse" with two gigantic suitcases stuffed with all of one's worldly belongings).
This journal will serve as a record of my year abroad in Karlskrona, Sweden at the Blekinge Institute of Technology, where I will pursue a Master's degree in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability. All of which is a fancy way of saying I'm taking a year off from work!
And so, the serious planning begins. Lots of the big stuff has been done. The house has been sold (well, it's still under contract) and I quit my job. All my stuff has been relocated to my parents' house, as have my cats. But many, MANY other tasks remain unfinished. For instance, if I don't get my lazy caboose (family journal, you know) down to the Swedish embassy next week, I'll likely have to forgo the entire adventure for lack of a valid visa.
I've been unemployed for over two weeks, and I thought that by now I would have a serious case of cabin fever. Or at least feeling twinges of restlessness. But no, no no. I've discovered that my true calling is a life of leisure. Waking up at noon every day, playing with my niece, and running the occasional errand--this is the life for me. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a burst of energy starting Monday at 8 a.m.--right about the time I should be hopping on the metro for a ride downtown to the embassy.
But lest you believe, dear reader, that my entire life revolves around this Swedish odyssey, allow me to review my main activities from the last week:
- spontaneous trip to tanning salon, where I partook of the spray-tanning experience ($15)
- dinner at Sette Osteria to celebrate friend's birthday ($20)
- post-break-up trip to the nail salon for a pedicure in Malaga Wine ($28)
- post-break-up outing to beauty salon for haircut and highlights ($120)
- frivolous shopping trip, where upon summer clothes (that will NEVER be worn in Sweden), a leopard print-trimmed trench coat, and a rabbit-fur poncho were purchased ($350)
- having a friend tell me, "Oh just buy it, you know you're going to. I mean, you're WEARING IT AROUND THE STORE." (priceless)
Now, one might recall that I am unemployed--thus, no income. Yet, according to the list above, I appear to be living quite well. Let's see how long it lasts. I predict that a fiscal smackdown on July 26, the date of my next Visa statement.
In short:
1. My time in the United States is limited.
2. Soon I will be living in Sweden.
3. Most of my friends will remain in the United States.
3. I am MUCH too lazy to write individual email detailing all my exciting adventures.
4. Livejournal.com provides me a free way to update everyone on scintillating encounters with fellow international students.
Ergo, I will keep this journal, not only so I have a record of my Swedish memories, but also so that my friends and family can live the adventure right along side me. QED.
Aren't you excited?
