I have not yet said that I 'can't wait' for my Year Abroad, because I can wait. I am looking forward to going, don't get me wrong, but I would like for my time in England to last just a little bit longer. However, I have 18 days to get everything organised, see everyone to whom I need to say 'see you later' (not 'goodbye'), and buy everything on my list. I am thinking of everything I need to get in order before I leave for France.
What I have not thought about is everything that will happen once I am there, apart from things that are not important. For example, I have not yet thought about what I will teach to the kids, although I expect the Royal Wedding will inevitably sneak in somewhere, however I have thought about what clothes I will wear to classes. It is the first time ever that I have wanted to buy chinos and shoes that are not trainers. As someone who has only ever worn the standard jeans-and-a-tee combo (or sometimes shorts when I'm feeling wild), this is a big step.
Another thing I had not previously considered was visiting. I suppose this is because it seems like such a long time until I will be settled in and ready for people to visit me. However, a lot of people close to me have already considered visiting arrangements; when will be the nicest weather, where they will stay, what we will do... Something that has never crossed my mind is me visiting England. Of course, I will come back for Christmas, but I have never assumed that I will want to come back at any other point in time. For me, my Year Abroad is a massive opportunity to live far away from home, learn a new language properly, and experience teaching. For others, it is me buggering off to another country for seven months. I have been selfish, I suppose, to assume that people will visit me but that I will not visit them. I have been stupid to assume that people would not expect me to come back for a weekend, at least. Visiting, I could say, is a grey area. I do not know what will happen yet, and I do not know how I will feel about coming back for a few days. What I do know is that I plan to visit as many people as possible before I leave.
So back to now, 18 days before I leave for my Year Abroad. I am going to Reading on Thursday to hang out with a mate from uni and Saturday night is my work's leaving do. Yep, my social life is looking good (for once!) and I have a good balance between work and play. As for year abroad preparation... So far I have bought a folder in which to keep any important documents safe, a diary to keep my life in order and so I can remember when my classes are, and a tiny notepad and pencil which I will use as a portable vocab book. Basically, I have bought small things that are not very important but make me feel like I am getting somewhere. What I really want to buy are lots of boxsets of TV shows, new clothes, a haircut and teabags. Bring on loan day and pay day...
I realise that as of yet I have not given you reasons for starting this blog. Quite simply, I am self-involved... Just kidding, although I do think I am highly important. Joking again... Wow, sarcasm is hard to convey in writing.
Seriously though, I wanted to keep everyone updated about what I am up to, as it would be very boring if every time I spoke to someone in England I had to recount the same stories over and over. Secondly, I enjoy writing and I have no imagination so this will hopefully satisfy that hobby. Finally, I want to set myself targets and if I tell other people said targets I will be more inclined to complete them.
So, the next time I post here I will have bought some new clothes and a big case for all my DVDs, and I will have picked up tourist information leaflets about Salisbury to use in lessons. If I have not done any or all of these, you can all judge me and send me death threats.
To finish, I would like to suggest you read my mate's blog while you are here.
He's new to this game, too, so when we're both world-famous bloggers you can say, "I read their blogs before the films based on them were made!"
Ah, who am I kidding? Who in their right mind would make a film about a Social Network..?
DC
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