39 days

39 days until I get on a plane to fly to Australia. It is starting to become more of a reality as the school year comes to a close and summer is closely approaching. It is hard to believe that I will be flying half way around the world soon and will be there for 10 weeks. I'm scared and excited at the same time. It's a little nerve-wrecking to think I will be flying alone all that way and I won't know anyone once I get there. I won't have the comfort of coming home when I want, or even calling. The whole time difference is going to make calling a pain to deal with. As much as my nerves are appearing more and more, my excitement is also increasing. I can't help but to look up so many really cool things to do in Sydney and I am excited to experience as much as I can. I think the whole teaching thing makes me a bit nervous as well. I have been in the classroom since my freshman year, but honestly it has only been for an hour every week. That's nothing! I have no clue about what really goes into planning. I know I only have to teach 3 lessons, but since I am there for so long I know it will be much more than that. Of course, I am grateful for that opportunity, but it is a scary realization that I will be stepping way out of my comfort zone in this whole experience. The really good thing about it getting closer is that I will soon find out where I am living and soon be able to get an answer if Mackenzie can come visit me. Let's all keep our fingers crossed. I mean, honestly, what 16 year old wouldn't want to come visit her big sister in Australia!?!? It's to the point now, where 39 days is too far away and I am ready to take that first jump so I can relax a little bit, but I am also wanting to slow it down and savor the time I have here for a little while longer.

My life on a plane

So I have received my flight and information and, despite spending what will feel like half my life on an airplane, I will not be on a small plane at any point in my 6 flights. As much as I hate flying, the fact that all my planes will be large, comforts me in some way. Although after googling every type of plane I will be flying on (of course I did) the plane I am taking from Los Angeles to Sydney is HUGE. I have never been on a plane so big. Below is the information for my flights

June 1st
Leave Washington D.C. at 6:30PM and arrive in Los Angeles, California at 9:10PM

June 1st-June 3rd
Leave Los Angeles at 11:30PM and arrive in Brisbane, Australia at 6:20AM

June 3rd
Leave Brisbane, Australia at 9:55AM and arrive in Cairns, Australia at 12:20PM

June 5th
Leave Cairns, Australia at 5:45AM and arrive in Sydney, Australia at 8:45AM

August 14th
Leave Sydney, Australia at 10:15AM and arrive in Los Angeles, California at 6:45AM

Leave Los Angeles, California at 9:45AM and arrive in Washington D.C. at 5:40PM


I will spend a collective 43 hours and 5 minutes in the air (THAT IS ALMOST 2 WHOLE DAYS ON AN AIRPLANE!!) and 8 hours and 55 minutes in an airport


Getting all the flight information makes things a little more real. I am so excited to go, but do I really have to spend 43 hours and 5 minutes of my life off the ground and defying gravity? The longest time I will be in the air is my flight from LA to Brisbane, which is 13 hours and 50 minutes. What can you possibly do on an airplane for almost 14 hours? It will be the end of the day, so hopefully I will be able to sleep some, but I know for sure that it won't be for that long. I am also hoping that in some of these I get an isle seat, especially the really long flights.


Next on the list--Get confirmation that my visa was accepted (documents were sent in today) and to find out where I am living. Rumor has it, it will be an apartment in Sydney (which would be fabulous!) I will keep you update!