Time flies.

I am notorious for babbling about how fast time goes. I know I can't be the only one who is this passionate about something they can't control. If I am, then I need to seek counseling. Immediately.

Honestly, though, where does the time go? If someone could answer this for me, I would greatly appreciate it. One day, it's May, and then you take a nap and wake up in late June. It's so strange. It borderlines bizarre, actually. Time is quite bizarre.

Yes, I created this blog to post about Prague and whatnot, but I'm entitled to a little rambling now and then. Besides, it will come full circle, I guarantee you. It'll all make sense in the end. Somehow.

In nine days, I will be sitting on a plane. A plane that is flying out of the country. I am so stinking nervous, it isn't even funny. This is no joke. I am nervous, but excited nonetheless! I've been on the Prague Summer Seminar's website reading stories and sifting through old pictures from previous summer trips. Cobblestone streets, hills full of bright, green grass, CASTLES. This place is going to blow my mind, I can guarantee you that. It's just surreal that it's almost here. I didn't think July 8th would ever get here, and now it's only nine days away.

Nine.

I can't even begin to describe how excited I am to see fresh faces. It's one of the things that I'm looking forward to the most. Sure, there will be people there that I know, but there will also be a large amount that I won't know. Who won't know me. They don't know me! It's kind of exciting. I like getting to know people anyway, so I'm also really looking forward to that. I also can't wait for our field trips that we have lined up, especially the four-day trip to Vienna. Ah, it's going to be so beautiful! I read that we break into different groups according to our classes and go explore certain parts of Vienna. Because I'm in an English class (Travel Writing), we get to go to a cafe (in Vienna) to read and write (in Vienna). Did I mention this will be in Vienna?

Gosh. Just thinking about walking around with a messenger bag full of tourist crap, my camera, and foreign currency excites me to no end. I haven't even arrived in Prague yet, but I already know that this trip will change my life. It's going to be so eye-opening, new, and completely and utterly different. It'll be a different world, and I can't wait to explore it.

Čas letí.

Time flies.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

My entire day was spent running all over the city with my wonderful mother finding items for my upcoming trip to Prague. I ordered my Czech Crowns, so I can purchase things like clothes, beer (only because I'll be legal), and you know, necessities like toothpaste and maybe food (that was a joke). Anyways! I ordered foreign currency for the first time in my life, and it made me feel like a champ. I also got picture messaging back on my phone, and for any of you who really know me, you know that this is a huge deal. So whip out those cell phones and send yours truly a picture, because I'll actually be able to see it this time!

I also found this beauty:

That's right. It's exactly what you think it is, or maybe it isn't. I'll tell you! It's my new owl passport cover! Yay! I was in this cutesy boutique with the most adorable clothes I have ever seen. I kept picking up random dresses and tops, holding them up to me, and asking my mom, "Does this make me look European?" Her reply, "Oh... um, yeah!" Then she'd laugh. Whatever! Then, I turned around, and this passport cover was staring me in the face. It wasn't this one exactly. The one I bought was yellow. But it was only $10, and I almost had a heart-attack, because I cherish owls more than I cherish my own life (joke number 2).

So far, this has been a glorious day, mainly because I got to spend some quality time with my mom, which rarely happens because of our schedules. Although it wasn't entirely stress free, I know it will be soon. Everything will work out accordingly. I'll just leave it to the big man upstairs (aka God).

I'm off to enjoy a lovely dinner with some lovely friends whom I haven't seen in ages, and of course, I'll be enjoying this passport cover with the sova on it. The what, you ask?

Sova!

Which obviously means "owl" in Czech. There's your word for the day. Enjoy!

Bring on the excitement!

I just got an email from my Travel Writing professor briefly talking about the course and encouraging us to begin our readings before we arrive in Prague (cough). My middle name is Procrastination. Does he not know this?

Anyway, the email really pumped me up about traveling abroad. I can't wait to get there and experience something different. I used to be so opposed to change, but as I'm getting older, I'm embracing it with open arms. Or arms wide open, if you're in the mood for Creed, which I am not, nor will I ever be. What I am in the mood for is learning, writing, exploring, mingling, walking, sightseeing, and indulging. I can't wait to try new things, meet new people, and wake up in the morning and seeing something other than New Orleans or Hammond. New Orleans, I love you, but there's more to the world than just you alone. As for you, Hammond, well, I've never really liked you anyway.

I know I'm not in Prague yet. I won't be there for another two weeks. As the date creeps closer and closer, I'll be gaining even more excitement, which, in turn, will result in blog posts. Maybe even some pictures or Czech words that, of course, I Googled. I'll be purchasing a phrase book sometime between now and July 8th when I leave. Cut me some slack...

I did learn how to say a word the other day, though! I found a phrase book in Barnes and Noble when I was spending a lovely evening with my wonderful boyfriend. The word is very important to me, as it should be to everyone. The world, as we know it, would not be the same without this one little word. This four letter word. Are you ready?

Káva!

And that, my friends, is how one would say "coffee" if you fancied speaking in Czech. You're welcome.

The Countdown:

In seventeen days, I will be sitting on a plane heading to Prague. Yes, I am leaving the country for one month, and yes I am writing about it! I figure, why not, right? Why not write about my glorious adventures in a far away land? I guess.

I am very excited to be studying abroad. I had a difficult time deciding whether or not I wanted to go, and then I had an epiphany and realized life is way short, so I’m going to seize the moment. I’m leaving the states for a month and gracing the Czech Republic with my glorious, sarcastic self. Can’t wait!

So, why Prague? I don’t really know. Why not Prague? The only other summer study abroad programs that were available, that I’m aware of, were Costa Rica (no thanks) and France (maybe in the future). Besides, Prague’s classes seemed a hell of a lot cooler than the other ones I came across. I’m taking a Travel Writing class, which I am itching to start! I can’t wait to blog about all of my wonderful experiences and share them with my friends and family back home. I’m also taking a class on European film. I’ve been told this means I’ll most likely probably definitely be seeing boobs and/or the occasional sex scene or two. Great. Anyways! I’m excited.

I can’t wait to submerge myself in another country’s culture. I am so very excited. I can’t wait to learn cool, Czech phrases and take pretty pictures. Hopefully they have super-awesome clothes there, because I am ready to shop. Then again, I’m a girl, and I’m pretty sure we’re all genetically programmed to actually like shopping, BUT I could be wrong. What makes the thought of living in Prague for an entire month even more appealing is that one of my great friends is also going! Plus we’re taking the same classes and rooming together. Can you say awesome? I can! In Czech!

Děsivý!

Yeah, I just Googled that. Whatever…. Anyway, I’ll be updating this as often as I’m able, so for any of you who actually read this, enjoy!