Every few years, I get the completely appropriate urge to DO SOMETHING. In 2010, for instance, it was dye my hair bright pink and go to Warped Tour.
This year, it’s a trip across the Atlantic to the UK.
My friend Alice was saying how excited she was for her trip to Wales in May, once she graduates. I expressed my jealousy, and she joked about me joining her. I brushed her off, thinking of my bank account, when she told me she wasn’t paying all that much to go.
I froze. “I have that money,” I said.
Then I groaned. “No, don’t do this to me.” I couldn’t afford to take a trip out to another country. I had a lot to think about, a lot about an uncertain future (as all futures are).
For a couple weeks we joked back and forth, and of course, I could not stop there; NOR COULD I MAKE A DECISION. Do I do it? Really? I mean, really?
Yeah, it went on like that for about a week.
And then, next thing I knew, I was researching plane tickets. And filling out a passport application.
Then Alice and I got lost in Rutland, looking for the post office where I could then submit my passport application. (We did eventually find it. It was the big building that was also a courthouse.) After getting a truly awful picture taken (I’d show you, but not only is my passport at home, I just don’t want to show you), we left, my pocket significantly lighter.
I waited for my passport to arrive back home a few weeks later before purchasing my plane tickets, paranoid about being rejected. In retrospect, this was dumb. I ended up paying around $70 more than I would have, and I no longer can fly with Alice. BUT I’M STILL GOING SO IT’S ALL RIGHT.
Then, my pockets even lighter still, came the fun part: itinerary. I came up with a very lengthy list of places I want to go while I’m over there. I’ll be there for three weeks, which sounds both like a lot of time, and the blink of an eye.
I still can’t believe I’m doing this, and I guarantee you I won’t believe it until I’m on a plane. And even then, I’m not sure.