Sonnets from the Portugese

These pretty purple trees were all over Lisbon. : )

Heyo! Greetings from the Reading Room (at least I think that's what "Salle de Lecture" means) at the University of Geneva... I found this place thanks to my handy little wifi map that my handy guardian angel gave me, but more on that later. I just thought I should let everyone know I got to Geneva safely and say a little about PORTUGAL!!!
OK. I did not expect much from this country. In fact, I wasn't that excited about going. Going to Portugal meant leaving Spain for what I expected to be a lonlier, less pretty version of the same country. Oh, silly ethnocentric American girl.
Portugal was beautiful! Even though it took me two hours to find my hostel, it was the perfect place to stay (somehow, in my frenzy at the airport to make my checked bags the magic 20 kilograms, I managed to loose my entire stack of papers with directions, addresses and the like. Hiccup # 1).
Thanks to Kate and Shiloh from ISA for the hostel recommendation. It was a touch on the expensive side - 22 Euros a night - but they had nice big security lockers, clean comfortable rooms, cozy common areas where I could sit up Skyping until 3 am, and - highlight - homemade nutella crepes for breakfast. Yum!
Actually, food in general was much better in Portugal than in Spain (seafood and cheese and veggies, oh my!). I got to walk around by the ocean (I miss you, charleston beaches), I climbed the tallest hill in Lisbon and saw AMAZING views, and I perused antique book stores (because apparently I'm middle aged). I met some nice people, including one Brazillian girl who said she spoke English her entire trip because the Portugese feel the same about Brazillians as the Spanish do about Latin Americans (which is not well, by the way).
I was really worrying about travelling alone; about not being able to make the most out of my trip or not feeling safe or just being lonely. In truth, most of the time I saw something pretty or interesting, I though "I wish so-and-so could see this," but, thanks to my trusty digital camera, everyone can! (hint hint: look for facebook pictures soon).
I think I underestimated the relaxation factor of being able to go where I wanted, when I wanted. To not feel like I was holding someone else up by deciding that I just wanted to sit in the sun for a bit or feeling annoyed that whoever I was traveling with wasn't ready to go. Don't get me wrong, if really anyone I liked called me right now (difficult as I don't have a phone) and was like "hey, I'm in Geneva, wanna stroll about together?" I would be all for it. At any rate, it's not terrible being on my own. : )

So that's that. Sorry this post is so long. I think, once it gets too dark to be out by myself, I might try to track down some pool hall by my hostel that supposedly has wifi and put up pictures. Or not. It's actually kind of nice knowing that, unless I deliberatly seek out a place with internet access, I'm totally unconnected. Good weather, good food, a good book...what else could I ask for : )

View of Lisbon from a castle from the aforementioned tallest hill. Also, never underestimate the value of other solo travellers. At least three people a day have come up to me, seeing that I am also on my own, and are like "hey, here's my camera, please take a picture of me." So then it's not a stretch to switch off.

El Fin : (

Some other students and I at Bacchus, our favorite neighborhood bar, on my last night.

So, after 4 months of alternating feelings of love and animosity for Madrid/Spain/Spanish people, I finally left : (
I'm writing this from a seaside(ish) cafe in Portugal, and its weird thinking that, when I get on a plane in a few hours, I'm not going back to my daily life in Madrid after a long weekend. Also, unlike the many times I've left Charleston and Columbia, it's VERY strange to know that I might not EVER be going back ( at least definitly not as a student and probably not as a resident).
It goes without saying that (1) I miss Madrid, (2) I learned alot there, (3) I am a better, stronger and wiser person for having spent the last four monthes in Spain. If you would like more reflective study-abroad type feelings, ask me in person : ) Or just read this: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/02/22/72-study-abroad/

That said, it is worth noting that I will REALLY miss the people I met in Spain! The other students I was able to make friends with were people I never would have met otherwise, and I hope everyone will be able to stay in touch! If any of you ever need a place to stay in South Carolina, look me up.
I can't stress enough how bizarre this whole experience has felt, and how incomprehesible it seems that I will be back in Charleston in little under a month. I can't wait to see everyone there! For now, however, I have a plane to catch! Look for more updates soon, as well as pictures on Facebook from Madrid, Dublin, Lisbon and all further travels!

Maria surrounded by all of our collective baggage, getting coffee before navagating the Metro to the airport.

In the airport, after taking my last ever Metro ride. Notice the two giant suitcases and backpack. I feel like a turtle with all my stuff constantly on me.

Exit Strategies!

Ok, so I now officially only have a week left in Madrid. I am so sad to leave! This semester has been really amazing and [insert generic feelings about studying abroad here].

But for reals, I am somewhere between living in a country I love, visiting a whole bunch of new places, and going HOME (yay), so I guess I'm pretty lucky.

With that in mind, here's my plan for the next month!

May 30th - leave Madrid and fly to Lisbon, Portugal
June 2nd - leave Lisbon and fly to Geneva, Switzerland
June 5th - leave Geneva and fly to Berlin, Germany
June 9th - leave Berlin and fly to Tuebingen, Germany (by way of Stuttgart) to see SARAH!
June 23rd - leave Tuebingen and fly to London
June 29th - fly out of London and back home!!!

At some point during the week I'm in London I hope to take the train to Edinburgh, Scotland, but by then I might be too broke/burned out on traveling. Between the time I leave Madrid and the time I get to Tuebingen, I'm going to be travelling on my own, so that's kind of scary. Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to have a little alone time in a new place, but 10 days seems like a long time to be by yourself. My plan is to stay out all day and see the sights and then go back to the hostel at night and read/talk to people back home/figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I'm nervous about being on my own (as well as carting around all the stuff I've accumulated this semester), but I think it will be an amazing experience! I can't wait to see Sarah (and hopefully my friend Caitlin from USC in London), and I know it's going to be an adventure!

That said, I really miss home and I know that I will be really upset to leave Spain (not to mention all the wonderful people I've met here!), so we'll see how that goes! Look for new updates in the next few days/weeks, and I'll see everyone after the 29th of June!

My 21st birthday a few weeks ago!

Girl Freak-Out Time

On a completely unrelated note, I just had a terrifying moment whilst writing that blog post. I am in my lovely, albeit messy (see picture in earlier posts), bedroom in Madrid. Like many European cities, most homes in Madrid don't have air conditioning, which honestly isn't that big of a deal (at least not in my residencia, we were in a bar last night that felt like Columbia in the summer). I just leave my giant window open when I'm in the room.

Anyways, the world's most giant flying bug just buzzed into my room, causing me to go into shrieking girl time. Emily and I, being the bug-fearing geniuses that we are, trapped it in my room with the lights off, and then lured it down the hall by turning on and off hall lights (OK, so maybe we accidentally did this, point is, it's gone). I suppose it could have been worse, Emily said she once got a cricket and trapped it in an Aquarius bottle in order to release it back into the world.

If this were a different kind of blog, I would explain how this bug is a metaphor for facing you're fears or something, but this was really just a story about a bug and how I enjoy unnecessarily over reacting to them.

Irrrrrreland

Pretty Irish park!

A few weeks ago Kendra (one of my roommates) and I took a weekend trip to Ireland, which is still my favorite country in the world (think your country's better? Invite me over and I'll let you know). This trip was especially fun for two reasons: for starters, I had been there before and knew a little bit about the history, culture, etc. (Poor Kendra had to sit through many a lecture and tidbit, but she listened like a champ). Secondly, we took the train to Belfast (which is in Northern Ireland, so not even the same country) for a night. It was my first time seeing Northern Ireland! It was beautiful. We ate amazing food, met some people from around the world (Canadians! Frenchies! Irish! Oh my!), saw a beautiful country, bought some stuff with shamrocks on it, drank more Bulmer's than I care to admit,and generally had a lovely time. I miss it and I can't wait to go back!

We left the second week of May, which was especially significant since that was almost a year to the day from the first time I went to Ireland. Dublin felt so much smaller the second time, but I still felt like the Irish are the friendliest people in the world and I hope to go back for longer some day. The first time I went was the first time I ever left the States, so going back provided quite the opportunity to reminisce over the last year. Quick, take a second to think about everything that has happened to you in the past year......Ok now stop thinking and continue reading. Good job. : )

Me in Ireland last year. Same coat, different Kathleen.

But seriously (sappy summing up in the style of "Scrubs" or "Sex and the City," this last year has been really rough in a lot of ways, but I have gotten to do so much and I am so grateful to be where I am now. Hope all of y'all feel the same way!

By the way, when we were in Belfast we got to see one of my favorite bands, Frightened Rabbit. They were amazing! Check them out here: www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit

The opening band was a local group from Belfast. They were basically a sequined choir of hipsters, but were actually really fun. www.myspace.com/thelonelyknights

Raza en España: Dos Cosas Interesantes.

(Why am I starting with a picture of the Obamas and Oprah at Williams- Brice last year? Because I can)

Sparing you any sort of surface-level analysis of the ethnic makeup of Madrid (therefore also carefully avoiding terms such as “melting pot” for the benefit of all involved), I noticed two really interesting things a few weeks ago.

A few Sundays ago I was walking through el Rastro, Spain's giant open air flea market. Amid the stalls selling Real Madrid scarves and cheap jewelry I noticed a vendor selling Spanish, American and Confederate flags (see below). I honestly do not understand who in Spain is in the market for a Confederate flag, and, when I first noticed it, I had to look twice to make sure I wasn’t just seeing things.

The second event occurred when I went with my women’s studies class to see “Los Abrazos Rotos,” the latest film by Pedro Almodóvar.

Before the movie started, where previews would have been in the U.S., they played a montage of black and white photographs from the American South under Jim Crow laws. A predictably melancholy song was playing in the background, and it was a bit disconcerting to see something so specifically tied with the U.S. in front of a completely Spanish film. The only explanation I could think of at first was that this was the beginning of a preview for a movie in the vein of “Remember the Titans,” but then the sad music gave way to a much brighter song and a giant, smiling photo of Barack Obama was displayed on the screen. There was a tag ling at the bottom that I can’t remember, but I think it said something along the lines of “Change is finally here.”

Maybe the Barack Obama spot was paid for by some independent donor and maybe the Confederate flag, like Che Guevara and the CCCP logo before it, has just become a slightly tongue-in-cheek fashion statement. Maybe this is an example of the whole “when the U.S. sneezes Europe gets a cold” school of thought. I don’t know. I just thought I’d share those experiences and see what people thought!

This blog sponsored by "Los Abrazos Rotos" (the "Broken Embraces" is the English title) Go see it!

Because Emily and Sarah made me feel guilty about never updating...

Greetings from a sunny Friday afternoon in Madrid! I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posting here and keeping in touch with everyone back home, but hello everyone! I hope you’re (y’all’re?) well. On the world stage, it was an eventful April: a Supreme Court justice retiring, a global flu pandemic, a Portuguese Water dog all made headlines. On a more personal note, I’ve had visits from family and friends, went all over Spain, and spent many an hour enjoying life in Madrid. I have tons of stories to tell that I won’t be able to fit in this blog, but I’m going to try.

Last night I celebrated my 21^st birthday, which was amazing, since Madrid is a really exciting city nightlife-wise, especially compared to where I’m from (no offense, South Carolina). However, it was tough celebrating without everyone I love back home – I miss you! Plan on celebrating when I get back in June.

At any rate, I’m feeling a little under the weather, so I’ve pretty much spent today being lazy and wandering around the city, and now I’m going to go sit in the park and blog about April! So, there’s that, and check back soon for updates!

I’ve done so much this semester, it seems impossible that I’ve only been here for three months. I really wish I would have been more diligent about keeping up with this blog – it’s hard to put in cute little anecdotal bits when you only update once a month. Anyways, I’ll do my best to keep up!

True Story: This is what my room looks like right now. So, you see, the real reasoning behind updating my blog is to put off cleaning.

I do not know where the last month went.

So, I suppose I should rename this "Kathleen's Much Neglected Blog About Madrid." I have honestly been busy these last couple of weeks, though.

Since I last posted I have...

*taken 20,000 pictures in Granada.

*strolled leisurely through el Parque del Retiro.

* Seen lots of unliscenced Harry Potter merch in Prague.

*Had the best Italian food of my life (also in Prague).

* tried Prosecco in Venice.

* learned to play Texas Hold 'Em (the Venetians just call it 'Texas').

* Stayed in a bizarre/amazing hostel full of characters.

* Won a whole three Euro in said game of Texas.

* eaten pasta and doner kebabs more than I should admit.

* ridden a gondola in a Venetian river.

* Followed Rick Steves (Rick!) wherever he lead me.

* Found an anime store buried in Noveciados.

* spent amazing time with amazing people in one of my favorite cities in the world.

I have NOT...

*found an apartment for senior year (takers, anyone?).

*kept in touch with a lot of wonderful people.

*worked on my senior thesis as much as I should.

* learned to appreciate Spanish food.

*figured out the Buho (night bus).

* started applying to grad schools.

* Figured out what I want to do with the rest of my life...suggestions, anyone?

Right now my aunt Minnie is visiting which is AMAZING!!!! Today we had lunch by the park, went to the Reina Sofia museum, and ate turkish food for dinner (mmm, hummus!).

By the way, on an entirely unrelated not, check these people out. "Sleepyhead" is AMAZING! http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams

I promise more details and Facebook pictures soon. Miss everyone!

El Alhambra in Granada.

Venice, city of bridges. Also, Venice, city of cheap wine and tourists.

Prague!

Digesting Pop Culture Junk Food

OK, so America is a neat place. We have a wonderful higher education system. Compared to the world as a whole, our laws are fairly progressive. We are the nation of Edith Wharton, jazz music, Langston Hughes, Barack Obama and countless amazing events in history and pop culture. However, in Spain, I don't miss any of those things. You know what I miss?

I miss American trash culture. I miss awful, lowest-common-denominator television, suburbs, mind numbing pop music and the Olive Garden. Therefore, when I get really homesick, I don't go searching to watch Gone With the Wind, I go for bootleg reruns of Ace of Cakes, The Soup and every single Andy Samberg video ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUjx4_X1qA). I suppose it could worse, I could be watching Gossip Girl, but even so, I think it is really ironic that the things I miss most about my home country are some of those that I considered most embarrassing while I was still there.

Bienvenidos A Madrid! (Welcome to Madrid!)

Overlooking the city of Toledo, about an hour from Madrid. This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

So, after months and months of planning, crazy suitcase shenanigans, and just about driving everyone I know crazy with details about residences and baggage allowances, I have finally (FINALLY!) made it to Madrid, Spain. This is, without a doubt, one of the most magnificent places I have ever been. I still cannot believe all this. I cannot believe how lucky I am to be able to spend a semester here, and I cannot believe I actually signed myself up to do it.

First of all, it must be said that this has not exactly been the exciting, carefree adventure that most people think of when they think of studying abroad. I do not think I realized this until I arrived here, but this is the first time in my life I've ever had to start a completely new life. Even when I went to college I knew a certain number of friends from home would be in Columbia with me. From the moment I stepped into my residencia, a large part of me wanted to just turn around and go home. Even now that I'm starting to settle in (I've been here for five days), I still miss my friends, family, pets, and, yes, country more than I ever thought was possible. I hope everyone back in the states is keeping happy and healthy and I will see you soon!

OK, so, all that said, I am starting to love this city and this experience! I've met some really amazing people from all over and I cannot wait to get to know them better! I have two American roommates who are both really nice as well as six other roommates from all over the world. The housing set up is a little different from what I expected, but it's really clean, comfortable and only a five or ten minute walk from the metro (we finally figured out how to get an unlimited monthly pass!), which can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Yesterday we (my study abroad group) went to Toledo, the former capital of Spain, which has a rich history full of Christian, Jewish and Muslim influences. They have amazing little shops that specialize in, among other things, swords - I plan on taking my brother there. Seems right up his alley. : )

Even in the short time I've had between orientation, unpacking, and generally freaking out about the upcoming semester, I've gotten to see a fair bit of Madrid. I love it so far! We live in a busy residential neighborhood full of interesting little shops, restaurants and tapas bars. I'm always only a metro ride away from unbelievable amounts of shopping and nightlife. The people of Madrid (called madrileños, pronounced "Ma-dril-AIN-yos") do not mess around when it comes to going out at night, which makes this a really exciting place to be a twenty year old! Today we went to this open air market called el Rastro, and later I might check out the Museo del Prado (free on Sunday nights). I've already become addicted to cafe con leche (basically amazing espresso with hot milk, I do not think I'll ever look at Folger's the same). The Spanish people I've met so far have all been helpful and, while everyone stumbles a little bit at first (literally and metaphorically), I think Madrid may very well be one of the most wonderful places in the entire world. I am so excited to see what else is out here! All I need is my suitcase to arrive and I'll be right at home.

My first glass of sangria! Salud!

Another thing Toledo is famous for marzipan, this sugary confection that tastes alot like extremely sweet sugar cookie dough and is often made by nuns. This is, obviously, a scene of dolls dressed like nuns making marzipan. Don't ask. Just accept.


Toledo, Ohio is a sister city of Toledo, Spain. This is the "Calle de Toledo de Ohio," or "Toledo of Ohio Street." On a side note, most of the street signs in both Toledo and Madrid are made of similar painted tile. SO pretty.

This is a view off of the main plaza in Toledo, the Plaza de Zocodover. Note the Muslim arch. Or don't. Either way this city was just really, really pretty.

I finally made it to England!

After twenty years of being a diehard Anglophile, I finally made it to England! I flew in through Manchester and stayed two nights with Beth (another USC student), who is spending the year in Leeds. It was so nice to see all the people and places she's been talking about for the last few months! Even then I was getting really, really homesick, but seeing how much she's enjoying studying abroad helped me get excited for my own European adventures! Leeds is an amazing city with a great student atmosphere, and I'm really glad I got to see it for myself!

In Leeds, I was introduced to two things that seem VERY important to the British: takeaway food and Primark. The former consisted of wonderful, delightfully greasy food that was generally well under five pounds (1 pound = $1.48). Primark, on the other hand, is something like the British (or, rather, Irish) Old Navy: cheap, fairly stylish clothing that generally falls apart within the year. They only exist in Ireland, England, and Spain. I'm stoked.

That Friday, after yet another train ride through rolling countryside dotted with sheep (SHEEP!), we (Beth, her friend Alison, and I) finally made it to London! It was SO nice to see Sarah, who had been off on an adventure of her own.

OK, so London is both one of the coolest cities in the world and a constant chance for the hardcore geek in me to blossom! Everywhere I went reminded me of Harry Potter. Or Mrs. Dalloway. Or Alan Rickman. Prince Harry, Nick Hornby, Bend It Like Beckham. I half expected Sherlock Holmes to pop out of every side street, or someone to sell me an illegal dragon egg in every dodgy pub. I loved it, and I cannot wait to go back. Soon.

I suppose we did the normal touristy stuff (Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, etc.). However, it was my first time staying in a hostel, so THAT was an experience! The Astor Hyde Park (where we stayed) was lovely, clean, and had wifi, which was nice. My stay there was the start of two themes of the semester: 1.) The metro is your friend. 2.) Keep your friends close and your purse closer (I slept with mine).

My favorite attractions, by the way, were the Tate Modern, the Tower of London, and the National Portrait Gallery. I got to see where all the Tudor family squabbles went down, modern art that, whether or not I understood it, made me think, most of the famous paintings of British kings and queens, and this really beautiful portrait of Virginia Woolf by Vanessa Bell (her sister). I am now also the proud caretaker of a stuffed Henry VIII. He says hi.

Everything we did on the entire trip, however, was probably overshadowed by one thing: SNOW!!!! I NEVER see snow (something Beth, Alison and Sarah quickly tired of me saying). It was SO pretty and, even though it made traveling a nightmare and seeing some sights impossible, I think it was totally worth it. Then again, none of my flights were cancelled (Sarah).

I suppose, instead of this really long blog post, all I really needed to say was that I went to London and had an amazing time, so there it is. It was so worth it and I can't wait to go back!

IT SNOWED!!!

Apparently these things actually exist.
Sarah modeling our lovely room.

The lovely ladies I traveled with on Tower Bridge. Miss you!

Peace, Love and Airport Security

Greetings from a lovely London hostel! It's around one thirty here, and I'm too excited to sleep. I love this city and I cannot wait to tell everyone about it, but I feel like the events of the last week, at least when compared to my typically mundane life, are too exciting for one blog post, so I'm just going to take a few minutes to catch you up on all the shenanigans that got me to number 191 Queen's Gate, London, England.

Random Kathleen fact number 674: I love airplanes! Maybe it's the novelty, maybe it's the mystery of flight, I don't know, but I was really excited for my flight, and it did not disappoint. Getting from sunny Mt. Pleasant, SC to Leeds, UK was a 20 hour ordeal (25 if you count the time difference) that included two flights, my first-ever train and a my first experience hailing a cab. The seven hour plane ride was the most relaxing time I've had in awhile: I got to watch some thoroughly mediocre Alan Rickman movie about wine, feed my virtual fish (shut up) and fall back in love with one of my favorite singers of all time (Jenny Lewis) and one of my new favorites (Frightened Rabbit). I got in some wonderful magazine time. In the Philadelphia airport I got to drink my last sweet tea for awhile, window shop, and see some really interesting art installations. The train ride to Leeds was so pretty! I know these mundane details might not be the type of thrilling tidbits typical of a European adventure, but each of them meant the world to me, and since I left my aunt and father at the Charleston security checkpoint I have experiences countless firsts. I would much rather preserve what sense of wonder I have left than go out of my way to avoid looking stupid or naive. Sometimes, getting there is half the fun.

Anyways, I made it safely to Leeds (where Beth from USC is studying abroad) and, two days later, so did my luggage! If the rest of my semester is as much fun as my travelling, then I'm in for something serious!

This is why I had so much trouble packing - Chester seemed determined to sleep in my half-packed suitcase. At one point, I even packed a spare suitcase full of dirty clothes I wasn't going to take, but he wouldn't budge. Bye, buddy. I miss you!

My last views of the Holy City!

Super cool art installation. It's an eagle made out of a bunch of tiny eagles in the Philly airport.

Oh, Columbia!

I went to Columbia this weekend to say my temporary goodbyes to everyone at USC! Some highlights, in no particular order:

* I got to sleep in my old apartment! The sofa - scary gashes in upholstery and all - was just as comfortable as I remembered.

* I saw Katie's glorious new apartment. She's back from Italy and all settled in!

* I visited my old friends at both the school and state parking ticket offices. Next time you see a new playground or roadwork project, you can thank my inability to properly park my car.

* Six words: Hashbrowns and coffee at Cafe Strudel.

* I was, as always, amazed by the five minutes it took Mr. Computer Tech Man to fix my computer at the USC iCare center. Also, as always, I saw they were showing some shametastic Rachel Bilson film and wondered who on Earth picks the random movies they show there (that same unlucky computer tonight almost died when Chester knocked diet Sprite off the counter onto my keyboard).

* I had coffee at the Colloquium with Becki "I'm all grown up and have a real job now" and the two of us marveled at the sights of actual students taking actual classes.

Besides that, I spent time with some really phenomenal students, and I will seriously miss USC next semester! To all my favorite Carolina students, in Columbia and abroad, I hope you all have a wonderful semester! Keep in touch and I'll see you in Fall 2009!

I now have the rest of break to get ready to leave and I am so behind schedule. This time next week I'll be on a flight somewhere over the Atlantic, and until then I'll be in Charleston, running a bunch of little errands, spending time with friends and family, and packing (by the way, does anyone know the baggage allowances for Ryan Air?).

Katie luxuriating in her exciting new apartment.

What are we going to do without the Colloquium next semester?

The lovely Sarah in the equally lovely Cafe Strudel.

Rainy Day Charleston - Two Weeks Left

Greetings Information Superhighway!

Hi, for those of you who know me, this is Kathleen. If you don't know me, I'm not sure why you are reading my blog, but my name is Kathleen and I am a junior at the University of South Carolina.

I am officially leaving for Europe in two weeks! I'll be spending two days with my lovely ex-roommate Beth before we take the train to meet Sarah in London. After that, in exactly three weeks, I will be moving into a 10-girl, 2-bathroom apartment in Madrid (wish me luck!).

I know that I'm really, really lucky and this is a great oppurtunity to learn, explore and have fun in one of the most exciting countries in the world! Hopefully I'll be pretty good about keeping up with this blog while I'm abroad, but you never know. I finally have a camera - it's tiny and pink and fits oh-so-snuggly in my bag! I have a Skype account (Skype name: kathleenikins) for anyone who wants to get in contact with me while I'm gone.

In the mean time, I'm hustling around town getting ready to go and spending as much time as possible with my family and friends. It's quite daunting trying to fit my entire life into two suitcases that meet airline weight requirements (Chester will not fit - I tried). In a few days I'm going to go say my epic goodbyes to Columbia. Thanks for taking the time to read this and check back for updates!

- Kathleen

P.S. If anyone thinks of a clever, snappy blog title, I will reward you with a packet of salted airline peanuts.