Ready, Set, Go...in 6 weeks

With 2010 winding to an end, I figured it was finally time to post something on here. Well, here it goes...

With the crazy fall semester just over a week over and settling back into life at home in NJ, it's pretty crazy to think that in 6 short weeks I will be thousands of miles away not only from home in NJ, but my home of the past few years - LA. The past few years at SC have been more than I could ever ask for...learning everything I could, meeting great new friends, having ridiculous adventures. But despite all these great people and great times, it's time to take a semester away from SC and explore the rest of what is out there.

When applying for study abroad at the beginning of the semester, I had my heart set on Europe, only to find out that I had not been accepted. With that decision made for me, I thought, "okay, no biggie, I have Knights' stuff to worry about, internships, school, etc". There was so much other stuff to do while still at SC that I was over studying abroad or at least the idea of it. However, receiving an email 2 weeks later about receiving a spot in Melbourne, I really didn't know what to think. Did I want to even still go abroad, or to Melbourne specifically? After a lot of thinking and then discussion with my family and friends [especially Mike Malyn who I will get to later], I decided to go to Melbourne, despite having to give up some things that I hoped to do at SC the following semester. With this decision, the epic journey down under began, and my time in Melbourne will definitely be a semester that I will never forget [or remember at times =p].

 [Melbourne Skyline at night]

So with my decision to go, there was so much to do....

Acceptance into Study Abroad by USC - Check
Registration completed and approved by UniMelb - Check
Visa Approved - Check
Storage found/moved out of the FIJI house - Check
Housing found (RMIT Village) - Check
Airplane Tix bought - Check

...but now that all the pre-trip work is all done, it's time to go, isn't it? Well, not yet...6 weeks left to go [which, unfortunately, will be spent in the iceberg that is NJ during December and January. Luckily, Melbourne will be in sunny 90 degree summer weather when I arrive in mid-February].

As I mentioned, I am going with my fellow SC Jersey boy, Mike Malyn.

[yes, that is a picture of us on the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disneyland from Spring 2010].

With regards to him, all I can say is thank you for convincing me to go....well I guess there's one more thing...be ready to take Australia by storm!

So as the next 6 weeks fly past [as they always do], I plan to chill in Jerz and spend my time with friends and family before I'm on the other side of the world from them for 5 months. For those of you in LA, don't worry, I will be in LA from February 2 to February 6 for a few days of shenanigans before leaving for Australia until June 30.

If you want to stay in touch with me while I'm abroad, you have a lot of options:
www.facebook.com/wynohradnyk
twitter: @mwyno
email: wynohrad@usc.edu [can't promise I'll check this that often]
And of course this blog, where I will be sure to post tons of pictures and keep you filled in on what I'm upto!

That's all for now...probably won't post until right before I leave in February. So with that, Merry Christmas and peace out 2010 - you were awesome and I know 2011 will be even better!