Let yer colours burst cuz baby yer a fire werk

It's down to just a couple of days and the best distraction I can think of from packing is typing this, right here. The last weekish has been amazing. I don't think I have mentioned it yet but I had an "Off to London" shindig at the KBE (Kalamazoo Beer Exchange...my favorite). I had friends new and old come out and it was great to see so many people. I must admit I was really nervous before going and my BFF Katlin can vouch for that! I just don't like having all the focus on me honestly. For instance, when it comes to opening presents, I over think everything and worry about what my reaction will be or what I should say or do and everyone is looking right at you. I hate that. I don't know why either; I always like what people give me and everyone that came out to the KBE obviously was there because they wanted to be. But nonetheless I get nervous and anxious...and I know, I'm weird. Anyway, it was a great night and I'm so glad that everyone came out! (Sorry Liz! By the time you arrived I wasn't thinking about pictures anymore =( So I'm giving you a personal shout out instead! <3 )

Rachelle, Katlin, Ashley, Erinna, Me, and Kelsey

Brandon, zombie killer

Niki, Me, and Adam

Katie and ME

I worked my last real shift Sunday and I'm very excited to not have to think about work again until August! Monday I went out with Niki and Derrick for "Monday at Harvey's". It was spur of the moment and I'm so glad we went. I just adore Niki! Anyway, yesterday I picked up a shift at another store but it was surprisingly enjoyable, even though I was regretting that leading up to it. It was great because I got to eat tacos and joke around and drink coffee! Living the dream as James says. Plus, I worked with Andy for a little bit! Then after work my dear friend Lydia called and invited me out to dinner. She wasn't able to come to the outing at the KBE because she had to work so we met up to get some grub. Funny enough we actually ended up at the KBE...it was just meant to be =) Their nachos are so amazing. EAT THEM. Afterwards I went out with Adam and we walked to Olde Peninsula and Harvey's. A completely fantastic day! 

Today I have been out and about with mi madre and sister. We ended up in Barnes and Noble, which always gets me into so much trouble. BUT I found this killer zombie book in the bargain section (pun only partially intended) and then a book of photographs. Then I had this book about 80's toys in my hands so my sister and I sat down on the floor and looked through the entire book for probably 15 minutes. At some point I had five books in my hands and I was still finding more books so I had to talk myself down and put everything back (except my zombies and photograph ones naturally) and remember that I am going to London in TWO days. TWO DAYS! So now my mom is reading a book about the American Revolution to my sister (it's a long one...going on 40 minutes lol) and I'm procrastinating while drinking an Oberon that my mom is "forcing" me to (the bottle is needed for fireworks later and I did not put up a fight). Later we are going out to eat at Olive Garden and I know I am getting an Italian Margarita, Cheese Ravioli, and Zeppoli for dessert. Then we will see the Portage fireworks and sit outside my work like we did last year, I'm sure.

Happy 4th, everyone!!! And thank you to everyone that has been treating me on these occasions =)

I feel like this picture visualizes how I feel right now. Overwhelmed.

P.S. I realize a couple of things now. 1) I have had many alcohols in my pre-departure celebrations and 2) I have probably written too many posts for my pre-departure...at least probably more than a normal person. So sorry about it all! Fair warning...there will probably be another one tomorrow =) Also it should be noted that I have accomplished setting up Skype and have successfully used it with my dad and Sabi!

“Where should I go?" -Alice. "That depends on where you want to end up." - The Cheshire Cat

I have one week until I leave! ONE WEEK! It is so crazy to think about, really. I just finished my four summer classes and I have just three shifts left for work. In the past few weeks I have thought about nothing other than school and finishing projects and studying and stressing out...I've been so occupied with all of that stuff that I haven't thought about London in a serious or preparatory manner. I was just trying to finish everything and survive. I have had many sleepless nights and have grown to survive on an hour or two nap as well as massive amounts of coffee. I became a walking zombie and treated my body horrible in that sense. BUT it is finally over. I cannot promise stellar grades or anything but with all that was going on, I can't beat myself up on that. I would love to continue my 4.0, Dean's list honors but that was just not feasible. I made it through though and now I'm exhausted.

So much so, that I didn't even care about going to London anymore. All I wanted was to just relax for once and not live so fast paced. But that is going to continue as soon as I am in London and I am completely okay for that compromise...I'll just sleep in August.

In the past couple of weeks I have been house sitting and animal sitting for 8+ pets! Though that sounds intense, it is actually quite amazing. It is nice to have that getaway and just the company of some loving animals. It's pretty refreshing and relaxing. Also in this time I have had many of my close, long-term friends come home to visit (coincidentally, however, I like to pretend it's all for me =) ) so I have been trying to make the most of that as well while working and doing my summer classes. I have managed my goal of at least one beach day before leaving, so I'm satisfied ;) Annnnd yesterday my sister and I went to the zoo and then hung out while eating root beer floats and pizza. It is really great to be able to have these mini adventures before I go on my big one.

So now that I am done with school and have been able to think about traveling abroad, I have realized that I still need to get my ducks in a row as well as finally pack! Once it finally clicked how much time I actually have felt and was actually able to think about London again, I kinda started to feel anxious and I have had a few nightmares about forgetting my passport. Every time it is a different scenario, but the fact that I forgot my passport remains the same. The fear is inside me now...I must not forget the passport. hahaha.

I have finally entered the world of Skype! Since I have joined, I have successfully chatted with my dad and another time (for 3 hours) with my friend Sabi. I'm obviously a little late in the game on this one but I have never had a web cam before. Now that I have it and have done it, I want to go Skype crazy with all of my friends that are scattered around the world. 

Anyway this week is going to be crazy, tying up all my loose ends and spending some quality time with friends and family before I go. I am truly sad that my house sitting job is coming to an end though. I have gotten quite comfortable staying here and the dogs are so completely loving and loyal to me even though I am a stranger. I am bummed that my dog-boyfriends will no longer rest their heads on my knees or sleep by my feet or in my bed for that matter. I really want a Golden Retriever now! Anyway, London...must focus!

<3 your snogger blogger

Why go when you can just look it up on the computer?

25 days folks...I am getting closer and closer. I feel like I have so much to do but I can't really think of what else I have to do except for a couple of things (like talk to the bank and cc peeps). I even started to pack the other day! Just the toiletries and first aid stuff but I feel like that is the bulk of it really. Most importantly, I have Muppet Band Aids!


(I'm still proud of that)


My binder is all nerdily organized for the most part and my sister and I have made travel journals. It took a lot of time making all of the pages and mod-podging everything. But I think they turned out snazzy! (hers isn't pictured)

Today she wrote me this lovely note. In case you cannot read it, she wrote, "Dear Sissy, Why do you have to go to London. I know that you have to study abroad but it's just not fair, can't you just look it up on a computer? It's just silly to go there. Love, Bre" She puts up a compelling argument. How silly of me! ;)

Hugs & Snogs! 

<3 Ashlee

"'Begin at the beginning,' the King said, very gravely, 'and go on till you come to the end: then stop.'"

I should have started this blog a bit sooner so that I could share the entire process of study abroad. Life happened though, so I will just have to summarize.

Before I get started, I must mentioned I have officially 31 days until I will be on a plane, leaving the country. 31 days. It seriously snuck up on me. It's so surreal to think about but I'm very excited.

Maybe it is best if I just start from the beginning.

I have always wanted to go to London. I don't know when it really started but I just remember always thinking the best things came from Great Britain. I mean there is the Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones...Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, Lewis Carroll...Peter Pan lives there with Harry Potter  and Sherlock Holmes. The British have fabulous accents and have tea parties with crumpets. Haven't you seen MTV's SKINS? Princesses live there. I mean my list can seriously go on for a year. The point is, everything I love seems to originate or happen there.

So roughly four months ago, my dear friend Morgan and I were having coffee at Fourth Coast. We were talking about her second study abroad trip (which she is currently on) and I confided how much I have always wanted to go abroad. Over the last five years I have spent too much time switching my majors- Pharmacy to Nursing to Pharmacy again, then to Photography and Accountancy to Advertising and English- and therefore stayed to long at KVCC which did not offer such an opportunity while I was enrolled. Now I am at WMU but at this point I had only started my second and last year here and my goal was to hurry up and graduate. I mean I transferred to the school with Senior status and I will be graduating with over 200 credit hours...I need to be done. My point is that I initially didn't have the opportunity to go abroad and now that I did, it didn't seem feasible with my graduation deadline.

Morgan checked out the different abroad trips to England through ISA and there was a Summer II slot that I could apply for. At that point I looked at what classes I needed to take to still graduate and mapped it out between Summer I, Fall, and Spring semesters. Eliminating Summer II classes and piling them into Summer I, I would be able to study abroad and graduate on time. And that is how I ended up with 4 summer classes right now.

Words from the wise...don't EVER do that.

I mean, unless you have to, of course.

After I realized that I could actually do this, well I just did it. I started the application process and began trying to learn how to do this on my own. I had no idea what I was doing but I kept working on it. Once I started the process, I just kept going. It's really bizarre to me now thinking about everything that I have done... learning the process on my own with little guidance and support, filling out massive amounts of paperwork and paying even more in money.

And soon I will be there. It is insane to think about.

Especially if you know anything about my background. In fact, I don't even need to say that. If you know anything about the events that happened to me in 2012, you might know how surreal everything has been, but especially this. In the past couple of months, I have been especially discouraged on so many levels and have thought so many times that this trip was tainted. I probably have spent over half of that time wishing that I never wanted to go on this trip in the first place. Wishing that I never had that interest or desire. After all of those setbacks and adversities though, I can officially say that I am the MOST excited. I have worked so hard for this experience to happen and I have done it on my own AND I did it when each day was a new negative event or impact on my life.

Did I tell you about the time I owed $9000 in a week? Yea, that happened.

Anyway, I have my ticket. I have my hostels. I have paid all of the people (except my parents). I have my itinerary.

This is actually happening. It has been happening and now I am in the home stretch. One month, 31 days and I will be living the awaited experience. I will only be in London from July 6th to July 30th (I wish it could be longer) but I will make every minute count. I even said in my housing questionnaire that if this is the least amount of sleep I get my entire life, I will be okay with that.

My next concern is packing. I'm making a list so I can get started on shopping. I'm trying to pack as little as possible yet cover all my bases. So far I have Muppet Band-aids. I think that is a solid start, if there ever was one. I have books and maps and journals (I'm currently making a scrapbook travel journal with my sister). I just need these classes to be over with or at least get all of the work that I can out of the way right now. Next week I have my friends who have moved away all coming home to visit (not because of me, it's actually weird how all of them are coming at the same time) and I am just ready to have some fun before I go and focus on study abroad stuff.

Anyway, I must end this first post and get some sleep, but I will leave one last fun fact. Naming this blog was difficult. I tried to not to use a cliche title or something that didn't pertain to what I was doing. My potential titles were good but not for a blog (so you will see them for my post titles for sure) and the only thing that was standing out in my mind for awhile was that youtube sensation, "Charlie Bit Me". Anyway I ended up with "Curiouser and Curiouser" from Tried-and-True Alice in Wonderland. BUT I couldn't use that for my link. In fact any form of curious was taken so that is how I ended up being your snogger-blogger. Thank you, Katlin ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE4FJL2IDEs