Goodbye -20, hello +40!!!!

As I sit here, in my humble abode and write to you all for the last time on Canadian soil, I'm glancing out the window at the thermometer (which is secluded from the wind might I add) at it tells me that outside is a solid -20 degrees. Lovely. All I can say about that is good riddance. Am I ever glad to be headed to warmer climates!

And that is precisely what this post is about. My departure. In 4 FREAKING HOURS. You know, it still hasn't really hit me yet. All this planning and organizing, booking flights, choosing courses and accommodation....it seems like an eternity ago when this whole exchange business was just a mere idea to play with. Now, it's happening. I have to admit, I'm super excited to leave but also a little nervous. I mean, I have such a great routine at Queen's - I know I will create a new one in Aussie, but it's the idea that I am starting out all over again. This time, I'm not really a phone call away from home - I'm much further and more removed. I'm sure I'll do fine though!!!

One thing I'm concerned about - the flight. Here is my itinerary:

Calgary to Vancouver = 1 hour

Vancouver to Auckland, NZ = 14 hours

Auckland to Brisbane = 3 hours

Total travel time is 18 hours. I've never EVER been on a flight that long before. NEVER. I'm hoping I can pop a couple Gravol, curl up against the window and just crash on the 14 hour leg.....then again, I've never been good at sleeping on planes at the best of times!!

Since my last post, not really much has happened on the planning end. I've chatted with my cousins about ideas, but true to form, nothing has been booked. All I know is that somehow, I have to get myself to Sydney for Feb 10th, and then between the 10th and the 22nd, we are making our way from Sydney back to Brisbane so I can start orientation week. My hope is that we spend a couple days in Sydney (see the opera house, climb the bridge), stop over in Byron Bay and surf, then hit up the Koala reserve outside of Brisbane. If I can accomplish those things, then I'll be golden! Well, I'll more than likely be red as a lobster from the sun......

I'm getting picked up at the Brisbane airport by a family friend named Marilyn, who lives in a town called Noosa. Noosa is just outside Brisbane, and I'm going to be spending about a week there before meeting up with the cousins. I think Marilyn and I are meeting with my landlord in Brisbane before heading back to her place, where I was told I am attending a "fish and chip dinner on the beach." How amazing does that sound?? I'll be sure to take photos and start uploading them to this blog. If I can figure out how!!!

I should probably run and wrap this up as I need to finish the last minute packing. I always seem to feel like I am forgetting something major.....passport? check. Tickets? check. Luggage? check, check. (and you should see these bags - SO full it's insane!!) I am bringing my computer, but I don't know when I will have internet access again so consider this my last post for a while until I get things sorted out.

Until then,

xoxo Danielle

PS. Feel free to add me on skype! Just message me on fb for my skype name!