Rainy day in Ohio

I post this as we sit in the Columbus airport. Looking out the window, it's rainy, gloomy and gross out. I'm nervous for the flight, excited for the trip, and looking forward to having the TIME OF MY LIFE. I feel like a kid at Christmas! ...once we get past the plane ride, I'll be golden :)
...I think my AM yoga session this morning helped me to destress a bit.

In addition to all of the scheduled events, I have registered to run in a "tour of London." This is SO PERFECT, and I can't wait to trot around and see all of the sights! Hopefully I'll also be able to explore the "healthy" eating options...I know there will be all sorts of pubs, but this isn't really my style, and I'd really love to find some cute cafes and small delis. I can't wait to immerse myself in the culture, and I plan on soaking up as much as I can!

Our trip to Paris is one of the places that I'm looking forward to the most! Hopefully there isn't too much snow on the ground...according to the phones of the girls with me...it's snowing and cold there. Time to bundle up and board the plane!

Till next time! :)

Goodbyeeee Ohio Hello Stratford

I have been looking forward to this trip for too long. I am so excited that it is finally here. My family has been telling me this is such a great opportunity and I agree with them. I am looking forward to seeing everything! I can't wait to see a different world, one with unique food, culture and lifestyle. I am looking most forward to the food there. I absolutely love food, you should see my book bag right now its full of snacks and chips just in case I become hypoglycemic. I am also very excited to be with my classmates. We are going to make memories we will never forget! I'm sure I'll miss my bed and shower, but I am very excited to see what the next two weeks have in store for me :) It's definitely worth the wait and even if I have to leave some of my necessities behind.

Pre trip post

I am somewhat nervous to travel without my family and leaving my fiance at home; but I am looking forward to gaining this new experience and the independence. I am most looking forward to having this experience with some great friends. My goals are to see Hogwarts! and see my friend Jenny who is coming to London from Sweden just to see me. Hopefully we have time as well to take another day trip all together or get away myself. It will be great and I cannot wait to get the plane rides over!!

Pre-entry blog

Hello all,
As I sit in the airport waiting to take off from Columbus, I am excited but so nervous. I am anxious and cannot wait to leave. I have a fear of flying but so far I am doing ok. Last night when going to sleep, I thought to myself, this will be the last night in my bed for two weeks. Now packing was very difficult. I found myself packing and repacking, but I was able to fit all of my clothes and shoes in it successfully.
My plan for my first trip overseas is to have a good time. I hope to learn a lot and enrich myself in the culture and beauty that surrounds me. I hope to also become more independent. Looking back at myself starting college freshmen year, I have seen myself grow so much as a person, becoming more independent and confident in myself as a person. With this trip I hope to grow that much more as a person. While overseas I hope I push myself to explore as much as possible and take in all of my surroundings. I hope to try new foods, speak to the public about my nursing project, and shop!

Now I am off to England! Wish me luck and safe travels.

Rachael : )

I'm so excited for this day to finally be here. I can't wait to experience another culture and get to experience a once in a life opportunity. I am seriously so blessed to be able to do this!!!

I'm planning on going to a pub and/or club in London! I'll be asking the hotel staff of what is the "it" place to go!!! I'm also planning on taking a trip to Ireland! We have our family traced back there and I hope I can see where my family came from! I also and glad Prince William finally engaged to Kate so I can get a plate with their faces on it! :)

Alright let the fun begin!!! Let's board this plane!!! Woooo Whoooooo!!!!

Pip Pip! Cheerio! Its Time to Go to England

Its time to go to England, and even though I am excited, I am also a little nervous too. I have never been overseas before, so the flight alone will be exciting, but what is ahead will surely be a blast. While I am there I am hoping to be able to see some of the shopping sites and also the different architecture of the buildings. I recently went to the United Kingdom section at Epcot, and the design of the buildings were pretty neat. I know they had been "Disneyfied" so it really isn't as accurate of a depiction of what it will be like in England. I'm sure England will be much better. I am also really excited about the chance to go to France for a day, and try Escargot. I'm sure its much different than the Escargot in the US, and hopefully I can enjoy it more than in Lucy from "I Love Lucy" and not get chased by the Police for having counterfeit money (like Lucy).
I also might go to Ireland with the group on a free day and check out an Irish pub and maybe even look into my Irish roots. I am also particularly excited to gain information about the British health care system (Social Medicine) and some of the similarities, yet differences between England and the US. Traveling with the District Nurses to areas in London will also be exciting, especially since I will be entering Public Health Nursing this next quarter. I'm sure I will be able to see a lot of similarities once I begin that quarter, and also learn some tips for working in the community.
I plan to have an awesome time while in England and am excited to get to know the people in my group better. Its going to be neat to be able to travel with them all and get to sight see in England/France, and possibly Ireland as well.

Pre-trip Thoughts

So sitting here thinking about everything that I'm about to do and see I feel kind of overwhelmed. I'm definitely planning on doing as much as I can constantly because I have no clue when or if I will ever be able to visit these places again. I'm a total history junkie so anything that has to do with history will draw me in and take up a lot of my time. I can't wait so the tower of London, Stonehenge, everything associated with World War II and all the related items that I think are so fascinating. What I want to gain mainly from this trip is the memories of seeing so many things that many others won't get to. I'm extremely excited about going to Paris for a day because I feel like that is bonus to everything else that was planned. I'm nervous about the actual traveling, mainly because I don't want to lose my luggage, and I honestly think that until that section is out of the way and over with I'm not really going to be able to get excited about visiting there.

Excitment Might Overtake Sleep Tonight

The countdown has begun. Although I am excited about going on the trip I am also nervous that I may forget something important (Passport is packed). I started packing thanksgiving day morning as I am the type of person that does not like to wait until the last minute to pack which helps lessen my worrying a little bit. I am looking forward to the new experience as this is my first trip outside of the United States. I have talked to friends and family members who have been overseas on different occasions and they assure me I will have fun. A friend of mine who visited there told me layers are the best during this time of year. I am not one for cold weather but I am sure the experience will be worth it. I hope to gain a better perspective of how other health care system work. I have only been exposed to the way the United States system works so it will be interesting to see how other places run their health care system. I am also looking forward to talking the some of the people to get their opinion about the heath care system and the care they receive. My overall expectations for this trip is to have fun and enjoy the experience. I am looking forward to leaning about the history of British Culture through the many sites we will be visiting.

Is it really almost time?

I should be a professional procrastinator, because though I’m 80-90% packed there are a few things still in the laundry right now, and some stuff I still have to figure out how to cram into my suitcase (no, not really it’s not that bad). So since I have to wait on laundry to finish, I figured I’d post on here.

It’s hard to believe that in a little over 12 hours we have to be at the airport ready to go. Thinking about it as 12 hours makes it seem short since I’m used to working 12 hour shifts… I’m not really sure what to expect from this experience, as this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been out of the United States. The only other time I was outside the United States being while I was in elementary school my family spent almost a week in Canada on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, so I’m not sure if that really should count since we could still see the United States the whole time we were gone.

Regardless, I’m excited and still feel that it’s somewhat surreal that today’s really he day before we leave. It’s so exciting all of the great things we’ll get to do while we’re gone including going to Paris! :)

13 hours and counting!

Hi Everyone....in less than 13 hours we meet at the Columbus airport to embark on our exciting journey! I am looking forward to this trip very much and hope you are too! See you soon...don't forget your passport...everthing else we can buy there! Bring layers.... its been unseasonably cold in jolly old England but our coach will be warm so don't worry! Cheerio!
Dr PM

Less than 24 hours!!!

We have less than 24 hours!!! I'm so glad I had to work the days before so I could control my excitement!!! And I'll be passed out on the flight since I work nights and I don't plan on sleeping once I get off!!!
Just a little worried my suitcase is over 50lbs!!! I tried real hard not to over pack!!! But it was hard since I never get to wear my clothes since I'm always working and I want to get my moneys worth!

Excited

England in exactly 14 days...so excited about going but nervous about packing.