This entry is a few days old due to lack of internet access- but here we are! The start of the blog begins now!


July 7, 07

Welcome to my official travel blog dedicated to the duration of my stay in Australial! It would be divine if I could post this on the web right now, but sadly I am in LAX with no internet and five hours or so to kill. It’s somewhat surreal that I am finally going to Australia. Considering I have wanted to go since I was about thirteen, it is definitely a big deal that it is actually happening. My stomach has been bothering me all day (hopefully not from my Indian feast at Coriander last night). I should probably eat something, but I’m afraid of getting sick on the plane, so I’m going to wait awhile. It is only six after all, and my flight leaves at 11:40. I really hope that I’ll be able to sleep and not have to spend the fifteen-something hours trying to entertain myself as my entire concept of time is altered.
I am a little bit anxious about studying at Melbourne, in particular with my living accommodations. Until about four days ago, it was pretty uncertain as to where I was going to live. Now I have been assigned to live in Whitley College, a residential college about ten minutes from the main campus. It will be somewhat equivalent to living in Brecon, except without the hill (I hope). Whitley is Baptist affiliated, meaning, most significantly, that it is a dry campus. We’ll see how “dry” it is when I get there, but it will certain put a damper on my wine and cheese parties if it is enforced. I am also a little concerned about something I read saying that the buildings are locked at 11 every night. If that is the case, I may invest in a portable tent, because I will be sleeping outside a lot. Hopefully everything will be okay and I am just worrying about nothing.
It’s curious how popular I became the last week I was home. After a summer of working two jobs, a wedding road trip, and very little contact/ “fun” with my friends, the last week before my departure was filled with Fourth of July madness, a shore trip, numerous phone calls, an invitation to a concert, and a kidnapping. Tom, Paul, and Kevin made my departure very difficult by giving me a fantastic going away “party” involving Laurel Lanes, the Cherry Hill diner, and Wii golf. I am awesome at Wii golf, but terrible at bowling. It made me realize that while I outwardly loathe Cinnaminson and most of South Jersey, I will actually miss being home and seeing the few friends I have there. Hopefully they will follow through with their plans to come visit me for my birthday.
I’m going to miss my sister a ton too. She is consistently my saving grace and my closest friend, and not being able to randomly get lost in Deptford or watch the movie classic “Pizza” is going to be hard. Alicia! I just remembered you never gave me back “Science of Sleep,” which makes me realize I forgot to pack my DVDs entirely. I guess you guys will just have to ship them to me (please?). And American Gods too, please.
Anyway, I’m thinking I might have food, or read, or watch “Heroes.” I will write again upon my arrival, or possibly sooner if I get really bored on the airplane. I am really excited for what the next five months have in store for me, and will update regularly with pictures and stories from down under. See you all in December!