Planning, Planning, Planning...

You know, I never understood how much time and energy can go into planning a trip. OH MY WORD! Haha.... I am so thankful for all the time my parents have spent planning vacations for me and my family - It's a lot of work - some tedious, and some exciting. I am seriously astounded at how many hours I have spent researching and creating my THREE WEEK summer holiday in June - traveling Europe.

So, you may be asking, "Linze, where have you decided to go? What have you decided to see?"

Well, the first question can finally be answered with ease. The second is still up for debate in some areas.... suggestions are welcome. I am going to be flying out from Bonn on June 12th and making my first stop in London, England. I know I've been there before, lived there before actually, but I just had to go back. I was aching to be somewhere that was fun and familiar... Somewhere I could speak English and I knew my way around, and go see a musical! PLUS, I really wanted to be in an English pub to watch the England vs. USA World Cup game. Haha... You'd be crazy to believe that I'll be rooting for the USA inside of an English pub during game time. I'm very passionate about America - my country. However, on this note I must say sorry to my country, because I'll be supporting the Brits. England has been my team in this arena since 2006, at which time I started to love soccer. YES, I will support USA first in other sporting areas, but I just can't do it this time. Haha!

Anyway, I head to London for four days of wonderful, chill fun... I'm just going to walk around the city and sit in the parks, and eat at my favorite little cafes... It's my favorite city on the planet, so I'm stoked.

Next, I am catching a train in London, which will take me to... Paris! I wasn't planning on going until later in the year, but my friend from college is on a study abroad in England and will be going for a few days before she heads home. Thus, I am going to be meeting up with her in Paris! It'll be fabulous! She'll only be there two days, but I've booked it so I will be there a day before her and get in a bit more sight-seeing.

After Paris, I will fly down to Venice, Italy. Italy is the country I am MOST excited about seeing, so I'm going to be doing a nine-ten day tour of the countries greatest cities! I still have to work out how the train stuff works before I can know exactly how many days I'll be where... I can't seem to figure out if I just buy the InterRail pass and get on certain trains, or if I still need to book... I'll get there.

Anyway, I start in Venice for a day-two days only, and then head over to Florence. I'll be in Florence and the surrounding areas for three days, and then I'll head to Rome. Oh, Rome! I am beyond excited for Rome! There is SO much I long to see there.... It's going to be exquisite! I'll be in Rome for four or five days and then will finally head home at the end of the month! It's going to be 17-18 days of straight travel, so I'll be EXHAUSTED. However, I could not be more excited! It's going to be AMAZING.... I feel to fortunate.

Now, let's just pray that my research has paid off and I've booked good flights, trains, and hostels... Well, I'm not done booking the last few legs of my trips, but I think I'm almost there. Hopefully by tonight I'll be done with that... Then, it's just creating a basic itinerary of what I want to see in each place. I know the basics, but I want to make sure I know where I really want to go to see certain things....

FIRST though, I have my trip to Norway and Copenhagen this weekend! I head up on Thursday and the YSA Conference begins on Friday. Luckily with this trip, there isn't a ton of itinerary planning - just one day in Oslo (spent sight-seeing because the Conference isn't really about that. - haha!) and basic things I want to see in Copenhagen when I'm not with Michelle. However, I'm sure she'll point out some things as we walk around there together. I'm so stoked to see her! It's going to be a blast... I see Mike in Oslo, and Michelle in Copenhagen - perfect.
I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit nervous about meeting new people at the YSA Conference... I know, I know. You're thinking, "Linze, nervous about meeting new people?! Never!" However, truth be told, I get a little nervous at first when it comes to these things... I love meeting people, but hate the initial feelings of unease before it happens - especially when I'm alone. It's a weird facet to myself that I have not fully explored or grown to understand... It makes no sense with my personality, but it's true. Anyway, I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun up there and I'll meet some great people over the long weekend!

Oh my, trips, trips, trips! I think July is going to be home-base time! Haha... It's crazy touristy all through Europe that month anyway, so it'll be the perfect time to take a back-seat to everything. Plus, it's the aptitude time for catching-up on sleep. Mmm.
*muah*

Song of the Day: This song is actually dedicated to my mom, in honor of Mother's Day. I am SO thankful for her and all that she has done, and continues to do, for me. I truly have an INCREDIBLE mother, and am SO blessed. So, I recorded me singing a song calling, I Believe by Nikki Yanofsky - because my mom is one that always taught me to believe in myself, and others. I'm a bit apprehensive about posting myself singing on the internet, and the fact that this recording doesn't sync my mouth and voice together, doesn't help... Nevertheless... This one's for YOU, Mom! Enjoy!