Hi all,
So this is my very first blog but seeing as I’m traveling halfway across the world to Australia in 27 DAYS I figured this is a good time to start! I will be spending the semester away from my beloved St. Mary’s, in a very different setting – the tropical City of Townsville! This is especially exciting because as a Biology major this is a once in a lifetime chance to explore the diversity of the great barrier reef that lies just outside the city! I’m taking two classes that I can’t wait to begin, (that’s something I will only ever say in the middle of summer…with classes in session I’m never looking forward to more work!) these are Conservation Biology, and Australian Ecophysiology. Sounds exciting right? Besides classes I am looking forward to traveling away from what I know; I have never left North America and so I’ve decided to go literally as far as I can away from home (haha)! Now, I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said I had no reservations – up until about May I truly didn’t, and then it hit me that I’m going to be away from my closest friends, my family, and my home – St. Mary’s (sorry Mom)! So this blog will serve as my connection to home and all the people that I’ll miss. Anyways back to my travels – what really sparked writing this now was that I received both new luggage and an australian travel guide for my birthday last week! In anticipation July 8th (my departure date) I have (1) walked around the house with the luggage (somewhat embarassing to admit) and (2) not put the travel guide down. With all its entries on the best beaches, favorite restaurants, and hopping bars (yes I’m legal in Australia), I am really getting a sense of the area and imagining myself at these places makes the whole thing that much more real! So my next goal is to actually be able to consolidate my belongings into one 66-lb suitcase plus two carry-ons…wish me luck – I tend to overpack! I think that’s it for now but I’ll be writing again soon (most likely to complain that packing 66 pounds for five months is impossible!). Hope you enjoyed this first blog and I’ll be in touch,
Kelly
