There's actually less than two weeks until I leave! I don't really have a whole lot to say, other than I am so excited, and nervous. I think the closer it gets, the more of both emotions that I feel. I don't want to say that I am extremely nervous, because I guess that would be a bit of an overstatement, but I am nervous. I think more than anything I want to be able to speak enough of the language to get by, before I get there. But, of course, that is more of a challenge than I thought it would be! I know how to say a few phrases, but none of them would be particularly useful. Although "Hi, how are you?" and the responses that go with that are useful, if for some reason I get lost, or I have to use the restroom, that set of phrases does me no good. I could ask in English if I wanted to, and the majority of the people would understand me, but I just feel disrespectful doing that. I mean, I will try to accommodate people who I meet who don't know English, the best I can. Although I wont lie and say that, if they don't make an attempt at saying it in English, I don't feel a bit off-put by it. I do. I think we all do. I think its a natural reaction. Someone who comes to your country, should at least know a bit about the language, so they can understand basic conversation, and can ask for help. I can't help but think that is a huge chunk of the world's natural reaction to visitors.
I don't know how to explain all the things that are going through my head, because this whole trip for me is a big emotional roller-coaster. I've wanted to travel for the longest time, and now I am finally able to. It is going to be a huge change for me to be there for three whole months. I'm ready for it, the real question now is, "Is Sweden ready for me?". As stupid as that sounds, I am trying to look at it that way, only because, if I even for one moment, think that I am not ready for this trip, I think it will not be as awesome as I am hoping. I need to make myself believe that I can do this, even though deep down I know I can, I'm still struggling, because I was not expecting to leave the country so soon, and I was not expecting my first trip to be for three whole months. I guess some days I feel like I didn't give myself enough time to prepare. Although I know that I've prepared myself for this day for a long time, I still wonder if I'm really ready. If my mind is open enough to accept everything, try all the foods, go to all the places, and experience all that the country has to offer.
I think that the closer I get the more this internal conflict starts, but I know deep down that I am ready. I know that I can and will go, with an open mind, and heart, and stomach! I think it will be great. I really am excited.
I am getting excited for the trip though, please don't think that I'm not! I really think it is going to be a wonderful opportunity for me. Things have been going well here leading up to the trip. I found out that I got accepted into a college course, and will be taking a class on the Swedish language when I get there, from the 23rd of January, through the 09th of March. Its a two night a week class, and it winds up being 54 hours of studying. I am really excited for this, because I think it will help me immensely, to get the hang of the language, and it will also help me to make friends, friends who also know what it is like to be in Sweden, and not know the language! I think that will be nice, because that will allow me to make friends, who possibly might want to go out and do things in the city, while Anton is at work!
I've kind of got an idea of some of the places that I want to visit in my first week, but it really depends on the weather. I know that if the weather is too cold, I won't want to do much walking, other than to possibly the grocery store. I'm not too fond of cold weather! Spring is by far my favorite season. I'm not one that likes to go out in the cold a lot, so this trip should be interesting.
I really am more than excited though, I will be somewhere completely different from home! In less than 14 days I will say good-bye to my car, and my bed, and most of my belongings. I will get in the car, drive to Detroit, and will get on a plane, and with that I will be on my way to the biggest adventure in my entire life. One that I am sure I will never regret, or forget, one that I want to share with all of you, I guess that is why I created this blog. I want to share this experience with each and everyone of my friends, and family. My friends and family mean the world to me, and if I could bring them with me, I definitely would. I think, that leaving them is going to be tough, in fact, it already is... but in the end I will never regret this! I can't wait to write more once I get to Sweden. I think for now I should stop, until the day before I leave. I want to post a picture of my last meals here in the U.S. and I want to post pictures of dinner with my friends. But until then, this is it! If I was anymore excited I would explode. I will write more later!
I really am more than excited though, I will be somewhere completely different from home! In less than 14 days I will say good-bye to my car, and my bed, and most of my belongings. I will get in the car, drive to Detroit, and will get on a plane, and with that I will be on my way to the biggest adventure in my entire life. One that I am sure I will never regret, or forget, one that I want to share with all of you, I guess that is why I created this blog. I want to share this experience with each and everyone of my friends, and family. My friends and family mean the world to me, and if I could bring them with me, I definitely would. I think, that leaving them is going to be tough, in fact, it already is... but in the end I will never regret this! I can't wait to write more once I get to Sweden. I think for now I should stop, until the day before I leave. I want to post a picture of my last meals here in the U.S. and I want to post pictures of dinner with my friends. But until then, this is it! If I was anymore excited I would explode. I will write more later!
