Okay, okay, so let's just not talk about that last post saying I would be on track because clearly I am not that.
I figure I better give everyone an update on what's going on and why I haven't posted in a month. First off, my apologies for giving everyone the impression there would be more going on and then disappearing off the face of the Earth. My bad.
So one week from today, I'm going to be heading farther away from home than I've ever been before for longer than I've ever been gone before. I'm moving to Europe for the duration of my university year and my work term, along with four close friends and classmates of mine. I'm nervous and scared and sad and excited all rolled into one and it's really hard for me to focus on other things during the short time I have left here in Canada. I've been trying to spend as much time as I can with my boyfriend, Dylan, because, unfortunately, he will not be joining me on this journey.
In case any of you are curious, here are the answers to some FAQS regarding my school year:
Q: So, what are you taking?
A: International Food Business. It is a course that involves a group of students at the Dal-AC (formerly the NSAC) and a group from CAH Vilentum in Dronten, Netherlands. Basically, we're all in one class, just in different countries. It's a four year program, and in the first year you study n your home country, in the second year the Canadians go to the Netherlands with the Dutch, in the third year the Dutch come to Canada with the Canadians, and in the fourth year each student is back in there home country.
Q: What's housing like over there?
A: I'm going to be living in a house with five other people of different nationalities. I specifically requested to be in an all girls house, so I'll be living with two Dutch girls, two French girls, and a Hungarian girl. We get to make our own meals in the house kitchen, and we get a bath and a half and a living room as well. Myself and three of the other girls get single rooms, and the other two share a double room.
Q: How long will you be gone?
A: I'll be gone for approximately 11 months, though personally I am coming back for Christmas and I believe one of my other classmates will be as well.
Q: Wait -- what are you and your boyfriend going to do?
A: Well, clearly this is a pretty important question to me. Dylan and I are going to continue our relationship while I'm overseas. He's going to school here in Nova Scotia while I'm in the Netherlands, but like I said, I'll be coming home for Christmas, and I'm hoping I can convince him to come visit me in Europe, maybe in April or May. We are happy together and we both want to make this work, no matter how far apart.
So that pretty much sums up the frequently asked questions about the trip and the school year. It's really bittersweet for me, because as much as I love the idea of moving to Europe and getting that chance to present myself as someone who's got it together, I'm going to miss this place. I'm going to miss my family and my pets and, of course, I'm going to miss my boyfriend. The only thing I can really think to do is focus on my schoolwork and my fitness. I think the gym is going to be a huge release for me and I just hope it'll help me get through this year.
So, some other things that are going on in my life. I had my last shift at the Esso on Tuesday morning. When I got off work, Dylan and I went out and celebrated his 19th birthday, mostly for my sake, because his birthday is in September and I wanted to be here to celebrate it with him. My mother has asked me to work with her a couple times since I quit at Esso, but I think Monday will be the last day I do that. I just need this week to try to relax and get things together, and spend time with the people I need to spend time with.
This weekend, I'm in New Brunswick, spending time with my brothers, my cousin, my father and my grandparents. We got here yesterday, and we haven't been doing a whole lot, just hanging out and spending time together. I also went to visit my great-grandmother last night. She's not doing too well, and she doesn't know who I am, but I have no regrets in going to see her. I'd never forgive myself if I hadn't gone and something happened to her.
I don't know what else there is to tell you guys. Naturally, if you have any questions about anything, you can leave it in the comments or I'm @AmyLeighAllain on twitter. I think I'm going to do a vlog before I go off to another continent, and I'll probably try to get some "during" footage, so we\ll see what happens there. I'm going to make a serious effort at getting back on track here, but it might take me some time to get back into the swing of things, especially with the upcoming move, so please, bear with me.
Dylan, if you read this, I love you.
Thanks for reading <3 xx
