Must Get Out

Lately I have been coming across a number of reasons to leave The States. None are political or deal with the current administration or even how Americans are viewed. Mostly they are examples of how crazy (but lovable) America is and how awesome Europe is:

1. CNN Headline T-Shirts - I am sure they mean well, but some of the headlines chosen are kind of lame. "Church steeple is cell tower gold mine", really, what kind of statement is that? I love cell phone signals while I worship? Poor CNN, great idea, poor execution.
2. "Lego" Eggo Waffles - Great idea, about 20 years ago. How long have the commercials been saying "Let of of my Eggo'? Sounding more like 'Lego my Eggo' Someone must have felt very good about themselves to land this sponsorship.
   
3. Turkmenistan reverts to old calendar - Okay, I know, technically Asia, but close enough. Back when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Turkmenistan gained independence. The new president, Niyazov, changed the name of a number of months and days to honor his mother. Now that Niyazov is dead, the names have reverted back to the original Turkish and Russian names. This would never happen here. Imagine if President Bush changed
   April to Laura and Saturday to Texas Rangers.
   
4. Royal lands helicopter on girlfriend's lawn - So this is how the royals woo potential soul-mates. I cannot wait to meet one for myself. This story broke in the gossip rags and the Defense Ministry issued a statement about the legitimacy of the training exercise.

More to come.

Until we meet again.

-Maggie the traveler

Think About It

People keep asking me about updates on my trip. I will not have any until I turn in my application on 1 May and go to a meeting on 2 May. When people ask, I either feel bad or freaked out. I feel bad because everyone knows me as a planner, so I am expected to have oddles of information about the trip. In a way I fell as if I am letting them down.

But this is a new me. I am not making plans, I am going with the flow. Its not like I am doing this on my own, there is a company that makes all the plans and takes care of us. I feel this is my chance to be plan free and to teach myself not to worry.

On the other hand, it is good that I am not thinking about it because, when I do, I freak out. Going on this semester abroad is scary for me. It is also a big thing for me. On my own, in a foreign country, and as of right now, I do not know a single person I am going with. I will be completely out of my comfort zone for 4 months and that scares so much. But I know this is where GOD is leading me (more like pulling me kicking and screaming).

No matter what I will try to make this a good experience and take advantage of where I am and what I am doing. But I am so scared, so if I am short with you when you ask about it, I apologize in advance.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

Money, Money, Money

It seems all I have been doing lately is fill out scholarship application forms. It becomes so tedious after a while. Name, address, phone number, school, GPA, what sets you apart...At first I was only looking at larger sized scholarships, then I realized every little bit helped. They (the money sheet in my packet) said to figure $200 a week on expenses like food, laundry, etc. so a small $200 dollar scholarship is a week's less money I have to pay. A couple of those and I could eat for "free" for a month or go visit the Continent.

Fingers crossed.

I better get working on my application so these scholarships (if I get any) don't go to waste.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

London Calling

I am going to London. I will be studying and working in London for 4 months. This is amazing. It all happened so quickly. I can barely keep up. Everything is spinning around my head; so much to do. I need to not worry about it. So far, it has come so easy. This is God's plan for me.

I will bring you up to speed. A few weeks ago, I was all set to be done with school come May. I am weeks away from earning my college degree. The problem was I did not know what was to come in June: continue working in retail, move to another city, another state, try to get a job in the entertainment industry, sports industry? I had no clue and it was scary. Then a flyer was mailed to me from the International Studies Center about the CSULB London Semester. I have gone to their offices from time to time throughout my college career to see if there was a program for me. Nothing ever went past looking through the multitude of brochures. But this time was different. The CSULB London is a joint program with CSU Fullerton and a professor from each school is sent. In the past when I would peruse brochures, the disciplines would include communications, political science, etc... I could not use any of the credits toward my degree in film studies. I would have to spend at least an extra semester at school. Also the courses never interested me very much. What changed my mind was the inclusion of a film professor from CSU Fullerton. He will be teaching a World Cinema and an introductory film class with a photography project. I was hooked. I had to go. This is my chance. There was only one problem.

This program is for Fall 2008 and I am graduating at the end of Spring 2008. Come Fall I will no longer be a student at CSULB and because of the nature of the program I must be an enrolled student. I verified this with the International Studies Office and was slightly upset that I may have missed an awesome opportunity. They suggested I speak to an Academic Adviser who may have some ideas to continue my enrollment through Fall but still be able to walk at the Commencement Ceremony in the Spring. My appointment was a few days after and I tried not to think about it in case they did not have a solution.

I tried to go into the appointment with an open mind and little expectations that they could fix my problem. I explained that I was about to graduate but wanted to take part in the study abroad program the following semester. She said I should be able to change my graduation date to the Fall and still walk (because I had turned in the paperwork already). She double checked with a colleague. It was all correct. It is not uncommon for students to move back their graduation date: either they feel they may fail a class or since there is no ceremony in the Fall, they will walk in the Spring only to return in the Fall to finish the remaining units. I marched over to Enrollment Services, filled out a simple form and turned it in. Then I proceeded to the International Studies Office to pick up my information form. I did most of this without thinking of what I was doing; I did not consider how I was going to pay for it, nor the details of how it would all work out. So far everything was falling into place and I am trusting God that this is his plan for me. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.

I will use this blog to record my pre-departure activities and as a way to share my experiences with all of you while I live for a short time in Europa.

Stay tuned for the next chapter where I begin to realize what I have gotten myself into.

Until next time.

-Maggie the traveler