backpack

buying a backpack today!!  i've looked at many different sizes, brands, styles, and i will finally be deciding today.  not because i am very decisive but because if i don't order now i won't get it in time for the trip!  look out for a picture of it when it arrives, whatever i get.  i'm looking at...

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___88506#

http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_72&products_id=25064

and

http://www.rei.com/product/816806/eagle-creek-truist-vita-65-pack-womens-2010-closeout


all 65L packs, adjustable straps, etc etc.  and i love that i can get a backpack in maroon :)

next week when i'm home in dallas i'll be looking for all the little accessories i need like carabineers for my water bottle, locks, little travel bottles for soap, and some really cool storage containers meant for backpacking.  i saw them on a backpacking site but can't remember for the life of me where it was, so i think i'll just take a trip to wonderland (the container store) and see what i can find.  anyone wanna help me shop next week??


edit:  got the eagle creek truist 65L in black!  when it gets here i'll post pics!

planning

there is a lot that goes into planning a two month long trip to europe.  let's think about this for a second - i booked my ticket 24 days out, have two apartments to move out of, a job to wrap up, and a job application process.  that's a lot to do in 24 days alone, and then add on planning this trip?  yikes!  i don't think i'll be sleeping much before the trip because there is so much to do!  seeing as how my only travel experience was to ireland in march (where they speak english and it's all very similar to the united states) i have to say i'm slightly overwhelmed right now.

i still need to figure out what i'm packing, pack my bag, get a bag, get power converters for other countries, figure out how i'm going to take some form of a computer when i don't have a mini one already, buy language learning books/cd's, start learning at least three different languages (the main ones i'm aiming for are french, italian, and german), and so much more!  in addition to just tangible things i have to obtain, i also have no real plans of things i want to see or do.  so i have to research all the different countries i'm visiting to see what it's like, what tourists go to see, what the locals do, etc.  i also have a certain food i want to eat in every country, which i didn't realize until i was telling someone all the things i wanted to make sure i did in each country...and it was all food i wanted to try!

for those who would like to help plan my trip, connect me with your friends in other countries, give me advice on things to do, things to see, and things to eat, please leave a comment!!

the country list:

ireland
scotland
england
the netherlands
belgium
luxembourg
france
spain
portugal
switzerland
italy
germany
austria
czech republic



let the planning commence!

new adventures

backstory -  this is a transition from my last blog. the short version is:  i recently graduated college and have been in a bit of limbo trying to figure out my next move.  i have the most amazing internship and am in the process of applying to go full-time.  i had previously also thought about grad school in a different field, but i think that is going to have to wait because this job opportunity probably won't wait.  and it's too good of a job (and i have so much fun every day) to even think about passing up.  and the people there are so fun and amazing.  still hoping for the opportunity to go back and get it at some point but we'll see how things go day by day.

now to present day - last week was a bit of a whirlwind!  if you read the last post of my last blog, you'll see that i wanted to go to europe.  well.....drumroll please.....i booked a flight!!  i will get to travel all around (mostly) western europe for two months, and i am so incredibly excited.  my flight out leaves august 9, which is in a mere 22 days.  totally not even close to being prepared - i'll have about a week to get everything i need and i'll be prepping here and there in the next two weeks.  here's my timeline:

july 22/23 - college station to clean out my apartment and turn in keys
july 24 - skydiving with bryse!!
july 29 - last day of internship (and need to have everything out of my apartment in waco)
july 30 - intern fun day
july 31 - aug 8 - pack and find everything i need for the trip
aug 7 - jason's 20th birthday!!! (the best little brother anyone could ever ask for)
aug 9 - i'm leavin on a jet plane (don't know if i'll be back again....depends on if i decide to stay forever!)

so, pretty busy next 21 days.  this is my new life, and so far i love every bit of it