It is done.

The papers are all written. A series of lightbulb boxes with my graphics on them have been printed, neatly assembled, and are packed away safely for my final presentation. I’ve brought home my final pieces of fused and blown glass, which are now scattered around my basement for decoration.

I’m signed out of my dorm room. My stuff is all boxed up in the garage. My key has been turned over. I’m now, sitting at home, in my post-semester disheveled bedroom, next to a curled up dozing dog named Lady, and I’m here to tell you goodbye.

That’s right, in just a little more than a month, I’m hopping a plane to Australia, where I will be living with a friend and studying at one of the worlds foremost art schools.

I’ve got so much left to do before I go, I don’t think it’s really hit me that I’m actually leaving yet. I remember last time it wasn’t until the night before when I was finishing up packing that it actually hit me that I was gonna get on plane and actually go. I’m, at the moment, alternating between excitement, fear, and stress of how much has to be done before I can actually go.

Charlyne Yi, a musician, comedian, and film writer wrote in one of her songs “You can’t resurrect a day gone by.”

Days become weeks, weeks become months, and the months mount into years, and before you know it, you’re 50 and you haven’t ever left your hometown. My mother keeps telling me “Now’s the time. While you’re young. You can never do it when you’re older.”

Well, this is one chance I won’t be passing up. I’m going to Australia, to see what I can see. I’m going to learn about a dozen different cultures and study Australian and European style design.

And to that end, I must say to you all a wistful, and very fond farewell. I will not be blogging, it seems, while I’m in Australia. I will miss telling you all how everything is happening around me, but never fear! I hope to return as a blogger when I get back to the states for the spring semester of next year.

Thank you all for reading and noting me throughout the years. It’s been a tremendous honor to share my life at the Mount with you.

Have a great summer everyone!