Five days 'til five months...

I shed my first departure tear today. One little, inconspicuous tear (as crying is generally looked down upon in the banking world). You may be expecting me to tell you how sad I am about leaving all that is familiar to me and embarking on this crazy journey in an unknown place on the opposite side of the world, but that's not what that tear was all about. I'm not nervous to go, I'm not anxious, I'm not scared. I've always claimed to have a heart for adventure and this preparation has been quite the test! Which I've passed with flying colors, thank you very much.

No, I'm gonna tell you that I was overcome with the realization of how magnificent of an opportunity this actually is, and I cried a little.

I'm not a weepy person, so don't brush me off as irrational and emotional. And no, I'm not on my period either. I am, however, sleep-deprived, so if you want to attribute it to that, be my guest.

As a judge of my own emotions, however, I'll attribute it to the fact that I'm just NOW realizing what it is I've gotten myself into. I read something about 3 minutes ago by a former study abroad-er who was writing about her experiences and making suggestions for us Australian rookies. One paragraph went a little something like this:

       "Bathers beach is a block away from the P&O (where we'll be staying). It is a smaller beach, but you will learn to love it. I never really swam there, because a lot of seaweed drifts in, but I would lie down and tan between classes or study there. I don't think it's legal, but we had bonfires there at night! Also, this is a great beach to watch sunsets at - watch as many sunsets as you can. You'll miss them when you're back in the States. We saw dolphins along this shore too. Simply amazing. This is a great time to sit and relax and take in the fact that you are in Australia."

Okay. Beaches? Bonfires on the beach? Bonfires on the beach while watching the sunset? Bonfires on the beach while watching an Australian sunset?? Holy crap.

I just....cannot believe this is all happening...

It's like...I just...my insides hurt right now from the excitement and the overwhelming gratitude I'm feeling right now. I'm so incredibly blessed. I can never, EVER thank my parents enough for helping me and encouraging me to go on this trip. And I can't thank God enough right now for letting me be where I am now, five days away from the most amazing five months of my life.





We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder