This is what I signed up for

This weekend was spectacular.  First, on Friday.  Went with a few others to the city and explored Chinatown, the gardens, and much more.  We then got some Japanese noodles and sushi and had dinner out on the State Library lawn.  A gorgeous evening in the city center with friends!  Of course, the weather was quite proper!

Then came White Night on Saturday. White Night is 12 crazy hours of music, performances, exhibits, art, and partying.  The goal of White Night is to bring culture from every corner of the globe into one city for a jam-packed night. Melbourne is the 23rd city to host White Night, and they did it right!  Between the African dancing, disco-pop, light shows, and art throughout the city, Melbourne skipped a night of sleep and took to the streets.  I did not go to bed until 5am, but spending the night in the city was one of those things I won't forget.

Cheers!

 African dance session in Federation Square!

Great Ocean Road Weekend

What an incredible couple of days.  I went on an orientation trip sponsored by the university, and we traveled the Great Ocean Road on the southern coast of Victoria.  It was a truly incredible trip, as the pictures show.  We stayed in a little hostel that seems like something from a surf movie and was just off the beach! Everything from surfing, hiking, Aussie Rules Football, dining at Lorne's finest, and driving the Great Ocean Road on my birthday.  Oh yea, and Koalas! I had Zac Brown Band stuck in my head all weekend, and for the right reasons.  The beach, the sun, the Bob Marley music playing, and just relaxing!  Put the Great Ocean Road on your list, it's worth it!

To top off the trip, the entire group sang "Happy Birthday" in their native languages. I must be studying abroad or something!

Cheers!
Sam

Mozy-ing in Melbourne

It has been a lot to take in these first three or so days.  They may speak English down here, but even that is different.  I really have had some culture shock, but that's part of it all, and I at least give these Aussies a laugh or a story to tell their friends about "that silly lad".

Here is a picture off the Swanston St. bridge in Melbourne.  Looks out to the Yarra River and down towards the Central Business District (CBD).  One of the sweetest views I had all day of the city, and the first of many to come.

First of many!

Out enjoying the quiet campus and beautiful weather!

Last day in America

Hey folks!

First things first, I want to say thanks for taking a minute to look at this blog.  I won't be writing novels on here, mostly posting pics and maybe a sentence or two.

Tomorrow, I leave Raleigh for Australia.  Just a casual 10,000 mile journey and strolling through airports are my plans this weekend.  It is exciting that this is finally happening.  I have been working towards this day ever since I started at Appalachian State, and now it all pays off this semester.  Ever since I was accepted into La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia I have visualized the day I leave.  Although I have read many webpages and through many books and such, I am not entirely sure what to expect.  That is the exciting part about it; that's what makes it an adventure.

It has not been easy to get to this point, but friends and family have made it a little bit easier.  Thank you all for the support you have given me and I hope to not disappoint with this blog.

Deuces!
Sam