“If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we never shall begin."

We grow up learning that we should always “live in the moment”, but I found myself spending the beginning of my summer wanting everything to speed up. Studying for dietetics, following the same old routine, wanting and wishing for August 31^st to come….when Em and I would finally begin our trip to Australia. Then July and August rolled around and everything all of a sudden seemed to be going by too fast. I needed to go to all of my favorite restaurants, bars and places for the last time. I wanted to see all of my family and friends for the last time. It all seems a little dramatic considering I don’t even know how long I’ll be gone, but moving halfway across the world has proved itself to be as crazy as I imagined.

After a few dilemmas of overstuffed (and overweight) luggage I was looking down over the bright lights of LA. I have to say, the trip from Ohio to LA proved itself to be much harder than the actual flight that took us halfway across the world. I met Emily at the LA airport; we laughed about our matching luggage and bruises already forming from carrying our bags, had a few drinks and were off. We sat next to a stereotypical Aussie surfer from the Gold Coast who had endless drinks and talked with us until we finally ignored him so we could fall asleep. Next thing I knew, we were flying over Auckland New Zealand. It was absolutely gorgeous, but it was also the first time that I had that anxious feeling of just being SO FAR AWAY. I had mix emotions of excitement and fear, wishing the summer had gone by slower, scared that my decision to leave had actually come true, yet also extremely excited for what was to come.

Auckland seemed both very different and similar at the same time. People literally jaywalk EVERYWHERE. I don’t understand how people aren’t hit by trams. Everyone wears black. I swear people don’t go to work since it’s the middle of the day and everyone’s walking around the city. However, as soon as Emily and I felt like outcasts, we ran into a Pita Pit around the corner (don’t worry we didn’t go in). After our afternoon in Auckland and buying some duty free Jameson whiskey, we finally boarded our last flight to Australia. We had been traveling for 30 hours now…so of course our last flight had to consist of an old Vietnamese man named Clark badgering and spitting on me the whole time. (Read Em’s blog for more details). It’s pretty hilarious to look back on, but when he slapped my hand for not eating I think I almost snapped. Flying over Australia looked a little like Ohio! Green farm lands everywhere. I couldn’t believe that we actually arrived. Down Unda, whether I am ready or not, we’ve made it!!!