Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail

I am a master organizer. Since the beginning of summer I have been Pinning like it is my job for this semester trip. I definitely don't want to forget anything at how and be half a world away without it.

I definitely suggest using pinterest as a tool for study abroad. There are so many things you can learn from other people's blogs and travel experiences. Not to mention, looking at all of the travel photos for Rome, Prague, Paris, Vienna, etc. etc. is enough to make you drool. 

You can see my board for study abroad here:

http://pinterest.com/mwintsss/study-abroad/

I love love love using pinterest to get ideas on what to pack/how to pack. I am such a total dork that each time I go out to buy something new for the semester, I find it on pinterest and pin it to my secret board "What I actually have to pack for abroad so far" (catchy title, I know). Now, I literally have a visual packing list.

My most important recent purchases were these beauts:

D&G Glasses

Ray Ban Clubmasters

After 4 years of asking for new glasses every birthday and Christmas, I got 'em! I absolutely love the glasses that I chose. They are nice thick, frames that are still a little funky and different from my old ones. 

I LOOOOVE the Clubmasters. They are such a timeless look but still current with the orange insides. 

These glasses and sunnies will be with me everywhere I go, so I am glad I splurged on something I love. 

And most importantly, both read very European. :)

Meanwhile, I know that as soon as I am back home I am going to be in turbo mode getting ready for this trip. Some of the best tips about packing I have learned from reading others' blogs are:

• roll your clothes, don't fold them (saves space, and stays wrinkle free)
• pack clothes that are versatile 
• pack clothes in the same color family for easy mixing and matching
• pack once, unpack and then pack again (you'll eliminate the things that you don't really need)
• make lists and stay organized!

The plan is to try out all of these and see what works! Can't wait to be home and lay out all that I actually have.... Eeek!

EXACTLY ONE MONTH FROM TODAY I'M LEAVIN'!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!

Devotissimo Suo,

M

The Struggle is Real

{Woohoo! First Post! Yee!}

In 39 days and counting I leave for the semester of a life time in Rome, Italy! I legit CANNOT WAIT to be there, soaking up all of the art, culture, language, experience of being a 20 something in Europe. Cheers to that!

As any study abroad student would know, the first step in getting yourself to Italy stuffing your face with pizza, gelato and wine is getting your Italian Student Visa. This lovely, lengthy process requires running all around town to collect the required signatures, paperwork and mug-shot passport photo to bring to your nearest consulate office. Being in San Diego, the nearest consulate was in Los Angeles. 

So of course we made a girls trip out of it.With an overnight sleepover at our dear friend's in La Cañada, the sidekick and I did all things LA before my appointment at 2:30 at the Italian Consulate.

Like going to the Getty...duh.

The next day I went to my consulate appointment. *Note: On the day of, make sure you are there early with copies... and that you are on the right street when looking for the 1900 Building and that you are not trying to break in your new converse for the first time. Ouch. 

After forking over the paperwork, the copies and the beloved passport, I was on my way out! In a long 6-8 weeks my passport would be mailed in the self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope I had provided. 

See? PROOF.

Lo and behold, I received my envelope today. With great excitement and insta hashtags brewing, I opened my package to see that the picture in the passport was NOT ME. Instead, I received SOMEONE ELSE'S PASSPORT AND VISA.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL: What to do if the Italian Consulate sends you the wrong passport and student visa for the semester abroad trip that you are leaving for about a month from now:

1. Remain calm. Your family will laugh at your new persona. "Since when are you from Ukraine?!?"

2. Call the Italian Consulate. Their answer machine will direct you to an endless number of prompts, none of them that actually pertain to your circumstances. Just wait.

3. Talk to the Italian man at the consulate who, when you explain your situation says, "Oh my gad. That is very bad." Thanks man. 

4. Call your school. Make sure they know what's up. Props to CEA for emailing the consulate themselves. 

5. Have them find YOUR damn PASSPORT.

After 15 phone calls, good ol' Sandra at the consulate had my passport and visa in her hand in LA. Phew. Mini heart attack avoided. Thank goodness. 

If they had not had my passport and visa, I would have to call the US Passport Department and file a claim that my passport was lost or stolen, rendering it completely ineffective for further travel. Hence, having to reapply for a passport AND reapply for a student visa, after I just did it... 

So so so so so so so glad that was not the case. I overnight Fed-Ex-ed the other woman's passport and paperwork back to the consulate and I should get mine on Friday. Fingers crossed.

Hope this is not an omen for future travel struggles.

Til next time!

Devotissimo Suo,

M