I’m nearly finished packing. I have to be moved out of my house by midnight tomorrow. It feels weird to be moving out of the place that has been home for the past two years of my life. Also weird, I have no place to move to. From tomorrow night until I leave for Ireland on September 3rd, I will officially be homeless. Hell, I will probably be homeless for about two weeks even after I arrive in Ireland. Tonight marks the last night for some time that I will be sleeping in a bed I call my own.

Home or no home, the next month is going to fly by. I have much to do before I depart for my year abroad. I’ve officially been granted my work permit for Ireland. Unfortunately, I inadvertently stated that I would be leaving on August 5th, not September 5th. This brain fart resulted in a $50 re-issuance fee for the permit. Not exactly what I needed as I’m doing everything I can to save up for my trip.

I’m glad my first stop will be Ireland and not Britain or some other place in the UK. Ireland is on the Euro and the last time I checked 1Euro = about $1.36. Britain, however, is on the pound and 1Pound = about $2.03. This will make saving for the adventure much easier. I’ll need to have a significant amount of money in the bank. Even if I find a job within about a week of arriving in the country, it will most likely be another two or three weeks before I receive my first paycheck. Additionally, when I find a flat (not an apartment in Europe!), I’m nearly certain I’ll have to put down at least one month’s rent and a security deposit.

What else is new … I purchased my pack for the trip (with help from Dad, thanks Dad!). I love it. It is an Osprey Crescent 85. Its capacity is 85 liters – or about 5100 cubic inches. Basically, when fully loaded it appears as though I have a Geo Metro on my back. What’s amazing is how easy it is to carry the load. It is designed so as the majority of the weight is carried on your hips.

Still no word on where I’ll be moving to – or, for that mater what I’ll be doing. Stay tuned for more.

mk