Passport Love

Anticipation, excitement, suspense. These are all words to describe my feelings about my upcoming adventure. Finally this week all my travel details with flights, visas, and overseas bank accounts have fallen together making life less tense around the house. Cross our fingers my visa is approved easily and I don't have to fly out to DC for review at the embassy..

If you know me it comes as no shock for me to say if I could do anything for the rest of my life it would be traveling. My first experience at the thrills of travel came when I was 13. While Disney World and the beaches of Florida kept my childhood exhilarating, the cathedrals and history of Europe were no match. My backpack sustained me for our seven weeks of trains and sightseeing and this began my passport love. I have yet to go to the same place twice, so researching about everything became my new goal this week. 

Did you know there are whales all over the coast of Australia? Betcha didn't! There are so many species, including the killer whale! This prompted me to watch several YouTube videos and a couple free willy clips last night, but that's a side note. The size of them cannot be described, they are unbelievable creatures. A few years ago on a trip in Maine we went about 30 miles off the coast of Bar Harbor to whale watch. They are the absolutely beautiful and I'm so excited that they are right off the coast. I can see them from my dorm window! 

Also one of my favorite worship bands, Hillsong United, is from Australia with their home church in Sydney! The more I find out about Australia the more I am in love! Koalas, kangaroos, and accents here I come! 

I cannot wait to board my series of planes on June 25th and get there the 26th to go on the best trip ever (sarcasm about the flying part)! Did I mention we are stopping in Fiji on our way over? :) Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime thing that I think everyone should try. Traveling allows for new perspectives to be drawn and an experience that the USA just doesn't offer. 

This weekend I'm mock-packing in an effort to perfect my size and weight restrictions. Wish me luck!

Reality Check

With my departure looming, my depth of knowledge about Australia has exponentially grown since I decided to study in Australia.  The several articles I have read (or forcibly read from my mom's research), I'm about to explore a zoo without the protective cages. From my latest encounter with a quarter-sized spider on my kitchen floor...the tarantulas that are notorious for taking residence in the dorms will send me into shock before I can blink. Contrary to the venomous snakes, poisonous jellyfish, and several thousand species of spiders that call Australia their home there are adorable koalas and penguins that have made their way onto my bucket list for my 5-month stay.
I'm surprisingly calm about studying 10,000 miles away with 20 other IU students of which I have never seen a day in my life. Why? It might be the same reason I'm never stressed for a class presentation until I'm standing in front looking at all my peers faces. Until I have to give my mom one last hug before she leaves, I don't think this trip will truly sink.
Curiosity is the key to my trip at the moment. If internet isn't unlimited, how will my communication lines exist? If the ozone is broken in the Southern Hemisphere should I be worried for my skin? And after booking all my flights to and from Australia this week, how in the world am I suppose to stay occupied in a plane or in an airport for nearly two straight days?! And finally...Will my body be able to adjust to a 15 hour time change? I'm positive these won't be the last of my questions, but for now they are the pivotal thoughts in my mind.
For now I'll keep it classic and say I'm soaking up the sun in these last few weeks with my mates :)