Treat yoself!

This week has been booooooring as noted by the lack of blog posts - can't believe it's been over a week.  With the mid-semester break coming up (!! whaaaat??) we've had loads of homework to complete before our trip to Scotland and Ireland.  I've learned a lot about the vagueness of homework here as the teachers do not describe ANYTHING.  They basically tell you that you have an essay, a portfolio or an analysis due on such date and that's it.  So I spent my week running around meeting with various professors, advisors and other people to try to figure out what it is I need to actually do.  I have completed two of the four assignments and feel so relieved already! Right now I'm procrastinating the other two by writing this blog :)

Hanna and I leave for an 8 day trip to Scotland and Ireland tomorrow.  I'm so excited to explore new places and experience green country side.  We are staying in a hostel for five nights in Scotland and then we will be visiting Maggie and Jenni in Ireland for three additional nights.  I'm a little nervous about the hostel experience but I'm hoping it will enjoyable and not super creepy/dirty.  When we are in Scotland Hanna and I booked a day tour to Lochness, Glencoe and the Highlands.  We board a tour bus at 8 in the morning and drive north to see the many beautiful sights to see in Scotland.  We arrive back in Edinburgh (where we are staying) at 8:30PM.  I'm really excited to see all the mountains and who knows maybe I'll see the Lochness monster!!

This is a map of where we will be going! 

The other big learning experience with this trip is our packing situation.  We are taking the train to Scotland and flying from Scotland to Ireland then back to London.  We are taking Ryanair which is suuuuper cheap! Little did we know that Ryanair is also very strict on their baggage limit.  We found out last night that we have to pack for 8 days in a backpack and it can't weigh more than 22 pounds.........this has to be a joke.  For those of you that don't know -- I have serious talent with OVER-packing.  Last summer when I moved back to gustavus I filled up the entire van (without seats) and my toyota.  Sooo, needless to say, this will be interesting.  Luckily I do have my FBS (field based science) experience to help me try to only pack the bare necessities.  Wish me luck as I try to fit 8 days worth of possessions into my backpack....

This week, Caitlin and I booked our tickets to go to Paris once she gets here! I cannot waitttt to have visitors and see familiar faces.  Happy Valentine's day everyone! Side note: My (single ladies) valentine's day slogan is "treat yoself!" Go get something sweet for yourself :)