Yes, I’ll admit it.  I’ve been procrastinating and being distracted over the past year and whatnot, fully confident in my flurry of planning back in 2008 *…looks around sheepishly*  But!  Things are finally being set into motion!  Applications are sent and the gears are turning… In fact, my brilliant dear Tracy has already received her official acceptance!  I am still waiting on official word, though they have set up my account at USAC already, and Tracy assures me that that is already a sure sign that I’m in… Well.  Here’s to hoping!!

I know I spent so much time planning for the travels post-Thailand, when there will be no classes and no schedules, just possibilities.  But there’s still lots to prepare for studying and living in Thailand itself!  Before we know it we’ll be choosing housing, picking classes, getting visas, booking flights, etc & etc.  The more I think of it the giddier I get! Ahaha~

And it draws ever nearer…

Hello everyone! It is unthinkable that one year from now Sybil and I will be on the other side of the world. When I tell my friends and family of our plans, they caution me that perhaps Thailand won’t be politically stable. Or perhaps it will be too costly to travel around Asia and Oceania. 2010 is just too far away for people to wrap their minds around the thought of our venture, and it’s a lot to take in, even for me. Indeed, there’s a part of me that won’t believe I’m going until I have a plane ticket in my hand, or heck, until I’m standing in the airport with my luggage. Even then, I probably won’t believe it. And when I return to the States unable to count the number of countries I’ve visited on my ten fingers, even then, I will undoubtedly refuse to believe it.

Still, what could be more convincing than our nine-page document detailing travel itineraries, places to stay, and costs (mostly obsessive-Sybil’s doing =P)? As far away as it all is, I’m ready to jump in, to plan, and to dream.

Stay posted as the dreams become reality!

Hello! Welcome to our blog! This is where Tracy and I will be documenting our study abroad and travel experience in 2010. Sure, that’s a long time away, but I personally think it’s n e v e r too early to start planning! We will be visiting at least 6 different countries within 6 months. I am SO excited! Stay posted! There’s MUCH more to come even before we hop onto our first plane!

A word on the title I chose for this blog, “the world is our oyster,”  from Shakespeare’s play  ’The Merry Wives of Windsor’ (1600).

Falstaff: I will not lend thee a penny.
Pistol: Why, then, the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.

Act II, Scene II

One popular interpretation of this saying includes being rich enough to take everything and anything you want in life.  It alludes to the ability and freedom to obtain all good things in the world, for inside this oyster is a beautiful, perfect pearl.  While we are definitely not the wealthiest people around, we have been given this opportunity.  We’re hungry for adventure.  Curious for places we’ve never seen before.  Longing to travel.  Ready to make it happen.

Upon returning home, I’m sure we’ll have a lovely new collection of pearls in the form of stories, photos, souvenirs, passport stamps, and memories.

For now, it’s time to plan, plan, plan!