London Re-Bound

It's been awhile since I've posted in this blog. I have been so busy building my other two blogs, working on my website and writing my book that I actually even forgot poor Dear New York existed!

Shame on me...

However, for those keeping up-to-date with me on here - my more personal blog - I have a few things I'd like to share:

• Kristinbergene.com - has been revamped, cleaned up and is now a very appropriate hub to my online life. I have a few more things in mind that I would like to add, but for now I am 100% pleased with how it's turned out after today's hardwork. Take a look and let me know what you think!

• My Return to London - My flight back to London is this coming Tuesday, 17 January. I'm leaving the good ol'east coast around 8:30pm and will land in the UK at 8:30am. You can just think about that time change and how it's going to kick my @$$ this coming week - I sure am. I think this is a good place to also mention that I've yet to start packing and that I've grown accustomed of going to bed around 2am - aka 7am UK time = screwed.

• New Year's Resolutions - I have this horrible idea of keeping track of my resolutions this year by posting them publicly online. I figured the guilt of showing the world my lazy side might keep me motivated to not let that puppy out this year. I'll be talking about how I'm going to try and keep a written journal, eat healthier, get more fresh air, finish the manuscript for book one in my trilogy, finish the illustrations of my children's book and many other things. You'll see in more in my up-coming posts. 

• My Book - I've made great progress on my book this week. I found strengths and weakness within it, and used both accordingly. Of course this is mainly thanks to a few great readers that have so lovingly volunteered their time and sanity to put up with my list of questions and dive into multiple drafts. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

Well, that's all I have to say for now! The next time you hear from me on here I'll most likely be back in the UK - unless I need a distraction from packing and getting organized over the next day. 

Also, if you're wondering - I always have a list of my other blogs and websites in the column to the right of this post. All you have to do is scroll down a bit to see my writing portfolio, my art design portfolio, my last travel blog and even my twitter account. OR you could bookmark kristinbergene.com and get to any of them at anytime - including this guy!!! 

I continue to wish you all a happy and healthy new year!

xx, Kristin

Packing

Last night, I decided to pack.  

In fact I made it past midnight trying to find a home for everything in my suitcases. It was then I discovered I had plenty of room. I did not even need to use my space-bags. My only real concern remains to be the weight limit. The smaller, purple suitcase I delegated for shoes, jackets and sweaters seems like it could be a bit too heavy. I expect the charges could be quite large when I go through the airport check-in, but there are really few options. AND to be perfectly honest, there are so many more shoes and jackets I could bring - so, they should thank me, haha!

The reason for my desperate need to start packing last night came with the realization that while I do not leave the country until Monday, I do leave Cooperstown on Saturday afternoon. Between today and Saturday however, I have many last minute plans to say goodbye and to spend time with my parents. Today, I will be having lunch with Eric at Bocca - which is delicious. Today is also my Mom's birthday, so tonight we will be having a quiet family dinner. 

Tonight is also the gallery opening at The Smithy, which I must attend to support the hard work of my friends Danielle and Amanda, and say peace to my "Night Sky" digital art work. (For all those interested its sale price is $200). It will be the last time I see it for awhile and with any luck it will sell and I can donate the money to "Kristin's Graduate Fund." 

Tomorrow, I have to pick Hanna up from college so that I can spend time with her before leaving. Tomorrow there will also very a very small family gathering so I can see my Dad's side of the family with all my little second cousins. The rain will certainly put a damper on things, but I suppose I must get used to the rain. 

Saturday, we hope to leave for Albany around noon and I will spend the next three days chilling with my other family and getting mentally prepared for my massive flight coming on Monday. 

THIS IS ALL COMING SO FAST. 

It is really unbelievable how quick this summer flew by, I really do not remember the summer at all. A handful of times on the boat, and in the pool. A few more than a handful of times on my kayak. I suppose I worked the summer away, and I suppose I do have a lot to show for all my work with the replacing of items that needed to be done before I left - for example: suitcases. Not to mention the organizing, applying, and continuing to finagle all the details of this whole graduate school, thing.

With all that being said, I would appreciate at least two more hot days. Two days were I can sit in the sun and just read - but those days are numbered now. As soon as I get to England, I will have too much to worry about to want to sit around an read - like: finding a place to live, getting my schedule organized, opening a bank account, getting to log onto student space so I can see my timetables and everything else. 

Countdown: 4ish days.

xx, Kristin

ONE WEEK

Dear London,

We are down to the last week at home.

In one week - at the moment I started writing this post - my plane will be gearing for take off. And, while it's first stop is limited from Albany, NY to Boston, MA - it is still the beginning. So, it is easy to say that everything is dwindling to an end. Goodbyes have begun - though not forever - and packing is taking precedent from other daily rituals. 

It is appropriate that this week should be so wet and gray. 

I believe comfort is coming from the changes in my other friend's lives who have also spent the last year and a half in good ol'Cooperstown. Kaylan is now settling in New York City for her own graduate program at Columbia Teacher's College. She is as nervous as I am about being a postgraduate student. Eric has found an apartment in Brooklyn where he can start his ambitions in the city. It seems that we are all falling into our personal goals. It is a nice achievement.

For Kingston, I am down to organizing dates. It seemed from a moment of confusion over the weekend and this morning, I am unable to attend the seminar on being a postgraduate student - an international postgraduate student. It seems important right? But unfortunately the only thing I can do at this point is shrug my shoulders and sigh. It is no surprise to me that yet another struggle would arise in the 12th hour. If they do not have room for everyone to attend, it must not be exceptionally important. If it is, I will bribe my friends to take good notes with a nice cup of coffee - or tea. 

In other Kingston News: The publishing half of my master's degree has been filling me with much information about courses, reading lists, and an all day event on September 22 to introduce me to the program. Though, I will not be purchasing any texts until my loans come in on October 3rd - which will be a scary time with the loans coming out of my very empty home bank account. I guess this will be a good time to see if the library has those texts that I can glance over so I do not fall behind. 

The creative writing side of my master's degree has been relatively silent. The email where I was told to read Rebecca  - which everyone should know I LOVE - was the first and last email I received from them. Period. I sent them an email yesterday asking about the lack of incoming instructions, whether I am not on a mailing list I should be on, or if they just have not gotten around to sending out their emails. So far, I haven't heard anything yet from that email either. In response, I have settled into my new adapted personality. I have shrugged and sighed and will be patient - waiting for them to take their time, and tell me what I need to know. It seems that I am not the only facing silence from their faculty either - which is oddly uplifting. 

I am still without an apartment, though Stacey has found another good option which she shared this morning. It seems that we will have to provide some furniture - dislike - but the rent is super cheap - like - and it is both really close to campus - like - and Philippa - like. Of course, we still have to get there to take a good look inside, as the website has no interior pictures - suspicious. 

For banking - which is something I need to solve quickly once in the UK - I have decided to go with Lloyds. They have a classic plan, which has the simple things I need like holding my loan money and a debit card. A few things I must consider in banking is how to get funds from my English account to my American account so I can continue to pay my student / car loans while abroad. I hope this will not be another struggle, but really - I have to do, what I have to do. 

Saying good-bye is getting harder and harder. Obviously it is not forever, but for some it will be awhile. I think that with each bon voyage reality is coming more into focus - but hey, it is only one year. And, with luck I will be coming home for Christmas - I just have to save my pennys! This week is very busy with trying to see friends before Friday - when I will be having a dinner with family before traveling to Albany to say good bye to my more family.

I am sure this week will go fast. 

This day already went exceptionally fast. 

xx, kristin

PS: Word on the street is that some of you are struggling to comment on my posts. I have posted instructions on the process, and if you follow them closely you should find all your questions answered. If not, send me an email and I will see how to help. Click here to reach the instructions : How To - Comment. Note: if you reply to the email that is sent to your telling you I have posted, I will not see that. 

PPS: If people are asking for a link to my blog please feel free to forward the email I sent before, or just share this URL - http://kristinandlondontaketwo.blogspot.com/ - I do not mind. When putting together that email, I was not sure who would want to read this, and I was missing many email addresses of family members who may want to keep in touch.  Also - I'm shy - haha. 

Countdown Continues

Dear London,

I wish I had more exciting things to say than I am focused on packing, and that I hope I can fit all my shoes in one small suitcase, but the days are numbered. Now that my visa is done, loans are finalized, courses are signed up for, plane tickets are purchased, enrollment step one is completed, and Rebecca has been started, I have nothing left but to pack while that countdown to run outs.

Once in England my list is not so big - find a flat, find a bank, enrollment step 2, organize courses and, most importantly, remember how to cook. After my summer of accomplishments and busy work, this will be nothing - fingers crossed.

For the moment, I am left staring at two open suitcases with neatly piled clothes, a backpack and purse waiting patiently for their own undecided contents, and a laundry basket full of 'stuff' that must somehow be fit into my luggage.


The limit is 50lbs per suitcase. 


The challenge is packing for a year. 


Any advice?

Kochanie the last time I packed up for England, 2009 - BOY could I use her now!

xx, Kristin


PS: if anyone wants to play with spacebags and help me pack, just let me know when I can expect you - I've got hot coca!! 

New Clothes and Packing

Dear London,

While I had said that I was going to go shopping, then decided it would be best not to go shopping, I did not take into account that a new TJ Max would open in Oneonta. So, today I did go shopping and I bought really cool pieces for really cheap prices. This led me to thinking about packing and how I am going to bring a year of clothes for all seasons with me. I did get a really good idea from Katelyn about space-bags, which I think could solve most of my issues.

However, I should really cut down the amount of shirts I am bringing, mostly because I need to fit in my jeans.

I tried to plan out my suitcase and while I can fit all the clothes, I do not know how to get my shoes over. Which sounds horrible but, I need to make sure I can bring my good walking shoes / boots.

I do love that this is my biggest problem right now, after this crazy summer.

Wales: 2009, Photographer: Kristin Bergene

xx, Kristin

Prepare.

Dear London,

Unlike last time, I thought I'd keep track of the process before I leave the country - even though I've yet to announce the existence of this blog. It would have been really helpful if past me had left a checklist or guide of what to do in order to become an international student. All I remember from that time, is loads of paperwork and the assistant of a great home base at Oneonta State and a great foreign base in the Study Abroad International Student office at Kingston University. Now, I have very little paperwork - other than the stuff I've printed on my own which is generally useless - and no support from a home base. It is very difficult for me to figure out the right questions to ask to see if I am on the right direction, but I might start with...

Hello, I am looking for a giant checklist to make sure my international student process goes smoothly. You know, a list of when and what I have to do before I am allowed to come to your University. For example, this whole Visa business... you know, I didn't need one last time.

But beyond Visa's - note: I am applying for Tier 4 - I am trying to work out FAFSA and loans. I have no clue how much I am going to need for 10 months abroad. The numbers I have crunched and the numbers they have crunched differ by $20,000, which is a huge difference of opinions. My mom says to pick the middle, so that's what I am planning on doing... but I don't know how.

My biggest problem at the moment, is that I don't have time to figure out and charm the system. After quitting my job at The Freeman's Journal because of my hours being cut, I now have more hours than I know what to do with - which is great for a piece of the loan situation. Ah well, there are worse things I could complain about. So, for my own benefit, the following is a list of what I need to accomplish...

1. apply for Visa - appointment, CAS letter, biometrics, etc...
2. figure out FAFSA - how much to take out, how to take out, how soon I can take out, etc...
3. find housing - which is just a bunch of questions - live with Phillipa again still I can find a place, live with Ruthie/Stacey, live on campus, live off campus, how much???
4. buy plane ticket and transportation to the airport - do I buy one way, just in case?
5. packing - need my drugs, clothes, toiletries, etc to fit in one suitcase and last 10+ months...

... And all while keeping up my writing ability, finishing my book, illustration, working, working, working, and trying not to explode from overwhelming stress. BUT HEY, in early September I will be somewhere between here and there, traveling to my home for the next - almost - year and that only 3ish months away. I am planning on leaving work two weeks before the end of August, so that I can go on a little vacation with my sister and hopefully other family, then have one week off to pack, think and get stuff done and then head out to LONDON-TOWN.

With optimism in mind, I will now post a random picture, that I have allowed computer to select, from my last experience as a token of my ambition and a moment of remembrance.

Abbey: Wales, 2009. Photographer: Kristin Bergene

Also, I leave you with this thought: When you leave many behind to achieve what lies ahead, remember that we are all striving for success, but only the individual can declare when success has been had. Do not let others prevent you, as much as you would not attempt to prevent them.

xx, Kristin