Holy Cow

I have a lot to post about but I can't sit down and write about it right now.  The next post will be chunky; brace yourself.  I promise to keep them shorter in the future.

So Much To Do

I leave in eleven days.  I feel like I have so much to do - and I do have so much to do, haha!  I've been throwing miscellaneous items into my giant suitcase, and I know I'll have to rework what I can and can't take, maybe even three or four times.  I always "try" to pack light but, if you know me well, you know I have a hard time with that.  I've decided I'm only taking my big suitcase, my herring bone duffle, a backpack, my camera bag, and my bronze bag.  So whatever I can cram into those things can go.  *Sigh*  I have so much to do!!!

Aside from packing my bags, I have several things I need to take care of before I leave.  Unloading the rest of the trailer, working with some photos, visiting with friends and family.  Speaking of friends and family, my parents are having a going-away party for me on Saturday, February 2nd.  That's about the only detail they've worked out, I think.  I'll post more about it as they tell me.

Needless to say my next week and a half is going to be very busy.  Just an overview of the remainder of my week: babysitting for Mom (her operation went very well; she's sore but recovering splendidly), picking up Rosy, heading back to Purdue to finish up things at my apartment.  Tomorrow I'm going working through the day, then to BW3s with a big group, to Windows on the Levee, then the Cactus.  Friday I'm working again, then dinner with Adam and his family for Ava's 4th birthday dinner.  Saturday I'm hoping to go to see Sam wrestle at Sectionals, then I'm going to a party with Adam.  Busy!  Busy!

Amanda

All Moved Home... Mostly

Yesterday was a full day. With sleeping in until 11:30, a late breakfast, loading up the trailer with 90% of my belongings - I was pretty busy. I took a break to shower, have dinner at Hei Sei with Adam, Pratt, and the Sees, then seeing No Country for Old Men (a very different sort of movie and story line; not sure how I feel about it quite yet). Afterwards I packed up a few more things, grabbed Ashes and headed home. All that's left at the apartment are a few things in the bathroom, kitchen stuff, bedding, and some clothes.

I've been up today since about 7am, babysitting for my mother. She's having an operation done and asked me to be in charge for a couple days. So far, so good. We played with the big blocks, read a couple books, and got out the action figures (haha, ah, the memories). It's almost snack time and I feel a movie coming on for these little ankle biters.

During nap time I'll have to work on the computer to get Boot Camp set up and what not. Then I have a project I'm working on - I've gotta finish it before next weekend! The big thing for today and tomorrow is to get the tralier unloaded, at least a little bit. So much to do!

No luck with getting a hold of Lauren for that housing ad over in Brisbane. I have talked to the International Calling Customer Service, and they keep tellin me to dial "+" then "1" then the country code ("61") and finally, the number - which I've tried multiple times - but no dice. I'll have to keep working to get a holdof her.

Amanda

And Now the Real Packing Begins

Thursday I brought the trailer up to Purdue from Anderson (thanks, Mom & Dad!).  And now the real packing beings.  Tonight's objective is to get my bathroom packed up in an orderly fashion.  I have to load up the majority of my belongings and trek it all home Monday night.  I'll be back around Purdue for the weekend, and home for good by the 28th.

My weekend objective is to narrow and pin down my living arrangements for Australia.  At first I was set on living with a host family.  Then I realized I would rather have an Australian student roommate so I was planning to rent a hotel room temporarily while I sought out something more permanent (i.e., 2-bedroom apartment).  Now it looks like I might be living with a couple who is looking for a female international student.  Their ad practically spelled out my name.  We'll see what happens!

I'm on the phone right now with an AT&T Customer Representative inquiring about international calling plan options.  Sounds like I'll be getting an international plan for $5.99/month which allows for a $1.29 call from Australia to the US.  That's not all that bad; I was expecting worse.  It's $1.69/minute from Australia to the US if I don't do the $5.99/month plan.

That's all for now!  I gotta go pack some more!

Amanda

Sixteen Days

I am leaving the country. In sixteen days. For six months.

This blog will be my main method of communication to those back home in the US of A. In this blog I will post favorite photos, updates, stories and such.

[ Oz? What is "oz?" ]

So. This is my online journal of when "Amanda Goes To Oz."

Excited/Nervous/Other-Roller-Coaster-for-the-First-Time-Feelings,

Amanda