As of the 22nd December, I officially have 28 days until I leave the country on my trip of a lifetime. 672 hours until I get on the plane and (after various stop overs) arrive in Norway. Now that school is finished for the year everything seems really close! A month is a long time but less than a month seems right around the corner.

Here is what I currently know about Norway (in very limited detail):

-It is very very cold in Norway ( it is only Autumn there and there is already snowing).

-Many Norwegians can speak very good English ( a conversation with my host-family-to-be proved this point).

-It is an incredibly beautiful place ( I mean, have you seen the Fjords?).

I have been trying to learn a few Norwegian words and phrases in preparation for next year and I can proudly say that I can read, write, speak and understand the following phrases in Norwegian:

-What is your name?

-My name is ……

-Who is he/she?

-What is it?

-There is a spider!

-I speak English.

-I do not speak very much Norwegian.

Plus a variety of foods and animals.

With less than a month to go, goodbyes have officially started and I seem to be doing a lot of things for ‘the last time for a very long time’.

I’ve played my last game of cricket for a year, attended my last day of school as a junior and have already had to say good byes to people who are just a part of my normal week.

I’m also growing more nervous. It’s now getting real……………. really real. I’m now being a bit more realistic, this will be big and scary and I’ll probably get home sick at some point!

BUT

I’m also coming to realise just how life-changing this experience could be, just how much I could learn about myself, another culture and people in general.

I’m nervous and excited but I’m still trying to make the most of my time left in Australia. Who knows when I’ll next experience a 40 degree day?

This is all I’m saying for now and to be honest I’m kind of glad to have this first post out of the way,

Alicia