As I mentioned before, things are surreal, but it gets more real as the days go by. I have been counting down the days in excitement, in fear, and even sadness. Everyday people ask me if I’m excited about my trip, which of course I am, but in a way, I am leaving behind my everyday life that has become a sort of set, but fluid, schedule. My future over the next few months is like looking ahead of me with no glasses on; I know what’s ahead of me, but its blurry. I’ll be a full-time student, but no job to do in between, no family to spend time with, and no friends to go out with. However, I know it won’t be quite like that because there will be lots to explore, many people to meet, and I can always call my family. It’s just blurry because nothing is planned out like I like. Having a schedule for my life just happened, and that may just be what comes with adulting, but this experience coming up isn’t the usual “adulting.”

The title of this should be obvious. It’s about what I’m leaving behind, without really leaving anything behind. My career, on the other hand, is being put on pause so that I can gain more life experiences. Two weeks from today will be my last day working with that company, which I hope to be temporary unless something else life-changing comes along. I really did love my job, but I’m in school to grow and learn to better my professional life. I’ll miss my work family and will most likely remain in contact with them, so they aren’t really left behind.

My friendships and relationships aren’t being left behind unless those people choose to end things. Who am I to hold onto someone who can’t stand the test of distance? That may sound harsh considering a phone works both ways, however, I’m not one to force things. Everyone who I keep in contact with has known about my trip for a while now. A few people have already faded, as expected, and they haven’t crossed my mind (until this sentence, of course) because my time and energy have other uses in my last few weeks here.

The obvious group that I would never consider left behind is my family. Above I said I have been counting down the days in excitement, fear, and sadness. They are the reason for those last emotions. The hardest part of studying in England is going to be not having them a few miles away, but they are a phone call away and will be there with me the entire time. In my Lilo voice, “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” (I love Lilo and Stitch, Disney should really play reruns on day time television.) Getting back on track, they are absolutely not left behind and when I get back they are my first, second, and third stop.

What I will be leaving behind is my spoiled lifestyle. My AMC A-List subscription that I love so dearly, as well as the reclining seats. Publix subs and chicken tenders. Cold Stone ice cream. The many options of clothes in my closet because I can’t pack it all. Little Caesar’s Crazy bread. And last but certainly not least, my Annual Pass to Disney World. (Side note: I’m planning on going to Disney Paris)

The life that I am leaving behind hasn’t stopped me from going abroad because I’m coming back to it. I’ll miss some fun moments, but I’ll also be making memories that are out of this world. You get to vicariously live through me until you make it a dream come true for you too. There will be personal posts, helpful posts, and a mixture of the two. So far it sounds more like a diary, which I suppose it will be in the first few posts because nothing has happened yet since I’m still in the preparation stages. It will get exciting once I’m abroad, this is just the part where you get to know me, if you don’t already.