Time's Almost Here!

Hello! I've decided to bite the bullet and begin a travel blog. A week from now I'll be leaving for Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and studying for an academic year at the University of Northumbria. Anticipating this journey has been one of the most nerve-racking, anxiety-ridden, stressful experiences I've ever undergone. The process of reaching this point--namely applying and receiving my UK visa, securing a residency in England, building a sufficient financial backing, spending exorbitant amounts of money, and just generally coordinating this entire trip with correspondents who reside in a time zone whose day is five hours ahead of mine--has certainly accelerated the hair-graying process. The time is almost here, however, and I couldn't be more excited.

I hope to post updates at least twice a week; one, perhaps, discussing a distinct cultural aspect of Newcastle--which I suppose could be just about anything--and another describing a place I recently visited. We'll see how that goes. Through this blog I would also like to achieve several things:

- An outlet where my family and friends can visit and relinquish their curiosity about my going-ons, if they so desire.

-A place where I can share and expound upon my experiences with other bloggers.

-A journal that accurately captures my immediate feelings and perspectives towards the world abroad, rather than trying to recall vague and fleeting memories.

-A consistent and thoughtful writing project that will hopefully inspire productivity in all of my other activities, and subsequently help me in other forms of articulation and expression.

-A type of one-way emotional consultant where I can post my thoughts, concerns, joys, discoveries, regrets, and other garrulous banter.

Again, I'd like this blog to be consistent and I'll try my hardest to maintain a twice-a-week posting routine. I think I'll stop writing now and begin the ever-prolonged task of packing.