Before we leave

So I thought it would be interesting to write how I felt before I left. What my expectations are, what I'm afraid of, what I'm excited about, and then compare them with what happens throughout the trip. So, here I go!

First thing (haha that's a joke, first thing that is slightly clearer than the rest of the jumbled thoughts I've been having for the last 6 months), is a fear that I won't get everything done that I need to. Like my room, it's disgusting. I cannot leave it like that, but with all the stuff that we are doing for the next four days, I'm worried that I won't even scratch the surface. I know, it should be the last thing I'm worried about, but the fact that I'm leaving for 6 months hasn't quite set in yet. I'm also worried that I won't get a job quick enough and that the research that I've been doing on apartments isn't accurate. Both things I know are concerns that will only get bigger the closer we get to the 23rd, but will soon go away once we are in Sydney.

Those are fears that are real and now, the most unrealistic thing to worry about ... EVERYTHING IS THE DEADLIEST IN AUSTRALIA!!! If a butterfly lands on me I will probably die a horrible death! These are fears that are a little more manageable than the realistic ones, but I do think it will handicap me when it comes to doing things like scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Water has never been my friend, but sticking me in water with sharks and box jellyfish...yeah, I'm trying to not have a panic attack now. Hopefully, when I get there I will see how absolutely beautiful its is an realize its a once in a lifetime chance and just do it :-)

I'm so excited to see things I can hardly control it. I was lucky enough to work with a couple people who had visited Australia, and they brought in their photo albums and gave me advice about places to go. Every time I looked at those pictures it just reminded me how lucky I am. There will never be a time in my life better for an adventure like this. I get to go with Kent for six months on a journey where everything is uncertain, and while I have some fears, I know I will create fantastic memories. I have such great family and friends supporting me that my worries seem so small.

~D