A Week to Go

(From JBU Mission Trip last summer, my first trip to N. Ireland)

A week to go! So, the butterflies of anticipation, excitement, and (a little) nervousness are beginning to build. A week from today I fly to another country to live there for a year. No driving home on the weekends and no bailing if it gets difficult. I step on that plane and I'm in for the year. I am excited though - in spite of all the challenges I'm sure this year will bring. I'm looking forward to being able to spend more time as an introvert and excited about developing better skills in focusing and discipline. I also get the feeling that the UK may not be so "marriage happy" for people my age, and if that's true, I'm looking forward to a year without the "why aren't you married?" or "I have a great gal in mind for your wife" or "hey, so have you found your wife yet?" comments. I know I'll still get these from this side of the pond - but ce la vie!

For those who are curious, here's what next week looks like for me:

Monday
5:00a - leave Little Rock for Memphis
7:30a - Arrive at Memphis International Airport/grab breakfast with mom and dad
9:25a - My flight leaves for Newark, NJ (via Charlotte, NC)
4:00p - Arrive in Newark & check-in to my international flight
9:00p - Leave Newark for Belfast (Goodbye USA!)

Tuesday
9:00a - Arrive in Belfast and hopefully get through immigration without too much of a hassle
10:00a - Take the free bus to Queen's University and check-in to housing for Orientation week
6:00p - Grab dinner with a friend (Seth Wright) and his wife at their home in Belfast

Wednesday
Enjoy a down day to checkout the campus, botanical gardens, etc.

Thursday & Friday
International Orientation for two days. Meet up with John Lenschow who will also be at Queens.

Bring it on! :-)