ONE WEEK. Dear freaking god.

So, as the title of this post suggests, I am literally one week to the HOUR away from leaving Canada for 8 months. Yikes. I am SO excited, but also very nervous about the upcoming semester and the uncertainty regarding courses, accommodation, new friends, travel etc etc. 7 days is not a ton of time to get the last minute things done, but at least my to-do list is much less daunting since I came back from Christmas holidays.

Nothing much is new, although I did make a whirlwind trip back to K-town to visit a few folks last week, which is what most of this post will be about. I must admit, when I first took on this whole exchange business, I had no idea what kind of preparation would have to go into it all. From analyzing risks for the security form, to making sure I saw all my doctors at home, to packing, making sure addresses were updated....little tasks that certainly build up!!

Anyways, I left for Kingston on Wednesday and got it late evening to a nice, home cooked dinner (thanks Danny!!) and just relaxed for a bit. Thursday was an epic, all around "meeting" day with a PLA meeting to choose team leaders for next year, followed closely by coffee with a professor, then meetings with University Registrar people to a) sort out my Alberta insurance forms and b) settle up with my balance from my student award. That was a burden since I can't pick up a cheque until this week, but guess what? I'm no longer in Kingston. So that was a disappointment, but I have a friend on call to pick up the cheque and mail it to me out west before I peace out of the country. Friday and Saturday were other days filled with coffee dates, friends, etc and Sunday was a nice way to end the trip as a brunch was held for the PLAs at Elspeth's before madly packing and heading back home.

Since being home, I've basically torn apart my room, laid out all my clothes and am trying to decide what needs to come and what will stay behind. Obviously the winter articles of clothing are staying behind, but I'm having trouble cutting down on the wardrobe. I mean, I don't have an extensive one to begin with, but I may have to enlist the help of my aunt (a seasoned Australian traveler) to narrow my selection.

I've picked up my expedition pack from MEC, adaptors from Apple for my computer, all appointments have been attended...now it's just a matter of finishing up the last few things, visitng with the last few friends and family members and then goodbye Canada until August! I think my grandma and Dad are planning a goodbye dinner for me next week, but I'm not sure... :)

I don't have any real plans for once I reach Brisbane. I'm chatting with my cousin tonight, she and her brother are joining me down under to travel a bit before classes start up, so I may have more of an idea by tomorrow. All I know is that I arrive into Brisbane on the 29th, stay with a family friend for a bit until I can move into my apartment after Feb 1st. And then, I have to make my way to Sydney for Feb 10th or so to meet my cousins and travel until classes start on the 22nd. I'll be sure to update you all with a list of activities and dates once I make plans. Which may be as soon as tomorrow!

Anyways, I have to run and meet up with another family member for dinner, but I will write again soon!

xoxo Danielle