So it's 1:00 in the morning, I'm not in a sleeping mood, and I want my early followers (if there happen to be any) to have something to look at once I end up going public with this thing.  Thus, a pre-departure entry.  First of all, who comes up with font names these days?  I was just trying to put the finishing touches on this blog, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to use "Cherry Cream Soda", "Luckiest Guy", or "Walter Turncoat" as my font of choice.  Don't worry, I won't leave you in suspense about my decision.  I actually went with "Coming Soon" (appropriately enough considering the timing of this entry).

ANYWAY, the reason this is a PRE-departure entry and not my first account of what's happening on the other side of the planet is because it is currently summer in Australia, thus leading to a much later start to second semester than we are used to here in the U S of A.  February 20th is the day we start, but never fear, I'll have things to talk about before then, and here's why:

This is Queenstown, New Zealand, where four amigos and I will be staying from February 1-6.

This is where the same group of five will be spending February 7-13, seeing what we can see in New Zealand (I don't think anyone will be able to pick us out as tourists in this thing).

And finally, this is beautiful Sydney, Australia, where we will be from February 14-20.


Pretty sweet, huh?  So I'll be able to keep everyone updated on the goings on before we actually start the semester on the 20th.  I would anticipate more pictures than anything for the first few weeks, considering we likely won't have a ton of down time to sit and describe what's going on, plus the fact that New Zealand is apparently GORGEOUS, and pictures can do it far more justice than my humble vocabulary ever could.

Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) has been asking me if it feels weird not being back at school while knowing that everyone else is, and quite frankly, the answer is no.  I like to think I've been making productive use of my time off, and that it will help me to be extra prepared for this trip once the time to leave comes along.  For example, today my dad and I went out to lunch and spent a good chunk of the day (and several days previously) trying to figure out the most convenient way for me to access money while I'm abroad.  We ultimately decided that the best option is simply to use my credit/cash cards just as I would here in the U.S., and to let the bank handle the conversion rate.  In case they happen to read this, I should give a shout-out to Emily and Amanda Ammentorp for opening my eyes to the fact that this was an option (they were on this trip last Spring so they're pretty much pros).  Additionally, I've finally managed to work my way through the gazillion page pre-departure packet we were given for this trip, and feel all the more prepared for having done so.  Tomorrow marks the first day of packing (yikes!). 

I think the main reason I don't feel weird about not being in school like everyone else is the fact that I'm lucky enough to live in St. Cloud, just a hop/skip/jump away from CSBSJU.  This has allowed me to make periodic visits to campus to see people, and to have a few people over to my place to hang out before their workload really starts to wind up for the semester.  That being said, I think I need to be careful how much hanging out at CSBSJU I do, because you can only hang around such amazing people for so long before you start to really realize how much you're going to miss them.  That's when you know you're at the right school, when the thought has even flickered through your mind that you would maybe rather be back at school than studying abroad in places as amazing as New Zealand and Australia.  At the same time, I find a similar phenomenon occurring with my family.  The more time I have at home with them, the more I realize how much I'm going to miss them.  Moral of the story:  Unless I live alone under a rock for the rest of my time here, I'm going to miss people A LOT, and I'm not even sure how well the rock thing would work out (I'm not much for small spaces).  Either way, I know this experience is definitely going to be worth it, and I've heard nothing but great things about not only this trip but studying abroad in general.

It's been only one short hour since I started this post (along with other miscellaneous computer activities), and I feel as though there was more I wanted to say, but it's now 2:00 and sleep is fighting hard for my attention.  Incredible the difference an hour makes.  At any rate, this incomplete feeling may very well lead to another pre-departure post, assuming I remember what I wanted to talk about and am able to find the time to do so.  For the time being, I leave you with a simple but profound quote from St. Francis de Sales:
                                                 
                                                         "Be who you are and be that well."

That's all for now folks!  Sweet Dreams!