"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..."

While the title of this post isn't completely true, that song has been stuck in my head for the last week as I prepare for my impending trip to London.  In a little over 24 hours I shall be able to sing "I'm leaving on a jet plane..." in earnest!  Speaking of packing, it has been possibly the most difficult task I've ever had to do.  I have found minimalism is not my strong point.  However, now with more wool in my possession than ever before, and with William my Hotch-Potch Doll from Williamsburg and Webster the Duck packed, I do believe I am set to conquer the city from which my ancestors sought freedom so many years ago. :) 

As I was creating this blog and searching my brain (and my mother's and sister's) for title ideas, I realized my name is part of the two things I foremost associate with London: the college I will be attending, Queen Mary, and Mary Poppins.  Oh the blessings of an age-old popular name!  Two of my goals, therefore, this semester, will be to become, quite literally (but not actually), Queen Mary and Mary Poppins/Julie Andrews, and since I've cut all my hair off, I'd say I'm well on my way to the latter!  

Actually, my inspiration for going to England has more to do with the name "Jane" than "Mary."  As a huge (understatement) fan of Jane Austen and Jane Eyre, I have always wanted to go explore the land which inspired these stories.  Prepare yourselves, readers, for many weekend trips to the mansions and grounds used in every film version ever made of a Jane Austen novel.  In Sense and Sensibility, Mrs. Dashwood states: "I would have every young woman of your condition in life, acquainted with the manners and amusements of London."  I am taking her advice and plan to acquaint myself most thoroughly with the city I am soon to call home for the next 3 months. 

Thank you for reading; I hope you find this blog informational and amusing along the way.  I look forward to sharing my "jolly holiday" with you! :)