Lists

So I head out in less than four days, and I can barely wrap my mind around the fact. I will be in Edinburgh in five days. I will be experiencing England Term in 56 hours. Three thousand three hundred sixty minutes until my feet finally step onto the glorious British soil I have so desperately wanted to land on for years. I can't believe it. I'm a mix of worried, nauseous, and excited. 2 parts worried, 1 part nauseous, and 10 parts excited. So how does one prepare for four months in Europe? Get a language book, perhaps? Start packing? Even say a couple of prayers?
Nah.
I prefer to just sit in front of my laptop, and make lists.

List 1: Preconceived notions of Europe/England Term:
1 - We will drink tea at nearly every hour of the day.
2 - All Brits hate Americans.
3 - Something will most likely go horribly wrong with something I've brought.
4 - I will not take as many pictures as the 8 gigs I am bringing.
5 - British men love saucy American women (ie - me).
6 - I'm really only going so that I have time to finish my novel. I won't be taking any classes. Nope.
7 - If I speak with a British accent at any time while there, I may very well be mugged.

List 2: Top Ten Rules I Must Stick To:
1 - England Term, while fun, is not a giant shopping spree. I can't spend all my money at Burberry.
2 - Speaking in a British accent is a strict no-no. Seriously. The British don't appreciate it.
3 - It is impossible to visit every major city in Europe during free travel. I must pick one.
4 - I cannot buy every book I see solely because "it's from England!"
5 - The same goes for music. "But the band is British!" is not at all a sound reason to purchase a £15 album.
6 - I am not allowed to go around the streets of London, asking locals if they know the fastest route to Diagon Alley.
7 - I must avoid bad puns at all costs. This is just a life rule, but one I must adhere to strongly, should I want to find my British soul mate.
8 - Journaling every day is a must.
9 - When I see Platform 9 and 3/4, I will be laughed at when I run at the wall and nothing happens. I will be laughed at, but I will most likely not care. I need to accept this fact.
10 - Every castle I see is not Hogwarts. Sadly.

So, time to head out. Start packing, buy all the last minute toiletries, and finish all those England Term playlists. I'm off, you'll hear from me again when I've crossed the pond, and am sitting in a nice little internet cafe somewhere in Edinburgh. Wish me luck, keep me in your prayers, and don't forget about the five hour time difference!