Get Set...

So tomorrow I'm embarking on a trip down to North Carolina to see my good friend Sarah. I haven't seen her in almost a year, so I am very excited. On the way back up I'm stopping to see my other friend Thomas, whom other than a brief chat at the Colby 2008 graduation, I haven't seen in a year. I know that the next week while I'm away is going to fly by, and then it's going to be one whirlwind of activity from then until I actually leave on August 5.

In terms of getting ready, I've started organizing my clothing and necessities to take with me, and I can tell you it's going to be a tough experience to try and tote my gigantic suitcase (that I swear I can fit inside quite comfortably), along with my carry on and a backpack. I also think it's going to be weird to live without all the stuff that I'm used to living with. At college I could just cram stuff into my car and my parents car, and I really could take everything that I did and didn't need. But this time it's going to be down to the bare essentials, and maybe a few extra things to keep me happy. On the other hand, I think the experience could be good for me, and help me figure out that I really don't need all the stuff I have. Plus, I'm not going to have time for much other than studying, and hopefully what time I do have will be spent socializing so I don't go insane.

I am going through a whole range of emotions about leaving right about now. Half of me is so excited to get over there and get started, but then the other half of me wants to stay with my family and friends and remain in my comfortable bubble that I've got. But, for sure, it's going to be a great experience, so it's more going to be about learning to keep in touch with my old friends while making new ones.

It's kind of neat to think about the fact that I could be a completely different person when I go over to Edinburgh. Ok, maybe not completely, but I can start over. When I started college, I was a completely different person than I am now, so I'm kind of excited/nervous to see what kind of person vet school is going to make me, much less a vet school in a completely different country.

I've been talking to a few people I met online who are currently in Scotland (although not at Dick Vet), and I've already learned some important tips, such as:

1) Do not offer pie to anyone, unless you specify it as a baked good. Otherwise you will be offering something of a much more personal nature.

2) Meals are Breakfast, Dinner, Teatime. At teatime you do not necessarily have tea. Or something like that. This one still confuses me.

3) Scottish men do not (traditionally) wear anything under their kilts. Kilts are only for formal events, and anyone wearing one in public is either going to such an event, or is part of a tourist attraction, or is an old fart who refuses to change with the times.

4) The Official Animal of Scotland is the Unicorn... Seriously...

More will come as I learn them.

Anyway, I gotta get up early, so I should sleep. Goodnight everyone!