One more month.
Let’s list some usual, normal emotional responses: excited, nervous, worrisome.
Now here’s my response: longing, manic, tired, debt-free.
Shout outs are in order for a few individuals before I dive in to the rest of my story. First the Georgetown Scholarship Program for actually paying me to go to Scotland. Poverty has its benefits! Next, my lovely study abroad adviser: Mrs. Polly Robey. She has helped me navigate the mysterious NHS and calm the nerves of my mother (more on her later). My friends, especially Lindsay, Leila, and Kelly, for teaching me how to ride a bike. John Fluevog Shoes for employing me during the summer and making my dream of affording full Scottish regalia a reality. The Office of International Programs for giving me a voice. Margaret Uglow for putting my perspective back on God and Their majesty. My aunt Janice for just about everything from feeding me to chauffeuring me and my friends to the beach and also for supplying my fix of the drug known as puppy dog (in the form of a crazy Bichon-poodle mix). Haley, my dog at home, for being like totally a goober and such. My father, for asking if I need money (which they know I don’t; I am self-sufficient finally! Took twenty years!).
And my mother, Julia. For being a strong woman that I can’t be. For standing up to life’s biggest threat with a smile and a fart joke. For beating cancer and being an all-around A+ role model for many. For freaking out and making sure that all my ducks are in a row. For agreeing to visit me in Scotland! For those 22 hours of labor. For a lot of stuff. She will be reading this and crying right about now, which is all fine because we have all shed plenty of tears over each other these past few months. Here’s to happy tears in the future, Mommy.
Who knows what to expect in Scotland. I don’t want to say I am excited to do everything ever, because my plans tend to fall apart. It’s the unexpected that I am most excited for. The midnight walk along the beach, the random day trip to Paris, the certain foodstuff I am sure to ingest: it will all unexpectedly be the best of my life. I am tired of having expectations of how things should occur or how I want my life to be. For once in my short quarter-life, I will look forward and not behind. Leave the past in hopes of a greater future. And hopefully answer some important questions including but-not-limited-to: what do they wear under the kilt?
Here’s to Alba, offal, bikes, and friends. Fife Park and the Kingdom. The school with six hundred years of history but mostly just William and Kate. My uniqueness that will simply be revealed once I am surrounded by those who are the same yet vastly different. The coldness of the loch and the warmth of the hearth. In due time, Scotland. In due time.
