You’re going to Australia for eight months?  How did that happen?

(Mary explains) A little over a year ago, when my son Pat left the USA, I told him that I’d come and visit next year in the summer.  Pat explained that it would be winter in Australia in June, July and August, and that I’d have to come in December or January if I wanted to go to the beach.

Two weeks over Winter Break didn’t seem long enough for such a long and expensive trip, so I began to think of alternatives.  After a good bit of research and investigation, I applied for a leave of absence to study in a graduate program at La Trobe University in Bundoora, which is about 12 kilometers (8 miles) from where Pat and his wife Danielle live.  I will be getting some graduate credits in Economics, which I need to remain qualified for my position at NWTC.

My husband Don will be coming with me.  He can continue with his internet business from there, maybe take a few classes himself, and investigate how being a leader of the Boy Scouts and an EMT works in another country.  We will live in the Graduate House on the Bundoora campus.  Here’s what our room will look like. http://www.latrobe.edu.au/housing/grad.htm

Before we go any further, I want to assure all of you Wisconsin taxpayers that you are not paying for this trip!  The college allows me to keep my union seniority, allows me to retain our health insurance, and gives me a small stipend provided that I agree to come back and work there for another two years after the sabbatical (that’s the education name for a leave of absence).  All the other expenses are up to us.

My daughter Liz and her son Zachary will join us for the first seventeen days of the adventure.  The little bit of first grade he will miss should easily be replaced by what he'll learn from the experience, and he's really looking forward to seeing his Uncle Pat.

So we’re off as of December 17.  Check back often to see what we’re up to!