"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all" - Mulan

The time is nearing, it is now 48 hours exactly until I board that plane and fly to the other side of the world for the adventure of a life time. And I can't wait!

Yesterday, I spent the day packing. It was a struggle, I did as my mum said, and picked out everything I wanted to take from my wardrobe and lay it out in piles, and then put half of it back. Had to make some serious decisions about what I was going to take, and what I was leaving behind! And this, is what I was left with:

I didn't realise I had so much stuff! How the hell was I going to get all of this under the weight limit for the plane? Let alone fit it into ONE suitcase! Desperate times called for despermate measures, and my mum came to the rescue. With even more cut backs and some tough decision making on my part, as well as some rational thinking on my mothers part, we did it. We managed to fit it all in!

Once the suitcase was packed, it was time for a going away bbq with all my close family friends, the people I've grown up with, the people I've known since I was born, the people who are pretty much family. And thankfully, the weather was amazing for it! We spent a lovely evening in the pool, and around the bbq, a traditional Australian send off I like to think of it as. It was amazing, until everybody had to head home, and the goodbyes began. It's the strangest feeling knowing I'm not going to see any of them for over a year! The good byes were tough, but we got through them. Everybody wished me well, and told me to stay safe and look after myself while I'm away, and they all told me they're planning on coing to visit! Which will be amazing if they can!

And today, mum and I are off to the shops to organise all my last minute things: my travel card, my international licence, the cancellation of my phone, and to get some last minute items that I need to take with me! Can't believe that in 2 days I'll be getting on that plane, to experience the most magical place on earth for 12 months! It will definately be the experience of a lifetime!

48 hours and counting!

abbiej xoxo