It is amazing how vague that e-mail was.
Here I thought I was going to get a whole bio on what wonderful people the program had selected to house me for the next 4 months. The family I had made up in my head consisted of a Dad (probably named Jeff) a Mom (with a name like Ellen or Bonnie), 3 children (2 boys and a girl) with names like, Ivan, or Colleen. The 2 boys would be in 7th and 8th grade, just old enough to feel completely insecure and therefore be delightful to embarrass and tease. The daughter would be in 1st grade and hopelessly attached to me as soon as I walked in the door. We would spend the next 4 months having tea parties and playing at what I'm sure are weird Australian parks. They had a cat named Roo and a dog named Croc. They lived equal-distance from the campus and the best coffee shop in Sydney. They enjoy befriending Americans and want to set me up with their long time family friend who is on a fast track to become an Australian millionaire who wants to use his riches to build schools and housing in 3rd world countries, leaving us to lead a humble but comfortable life together.*
You know...nothing too specific.
Instead I got: their names, they have a kid (a son) and a dog. And I'll have 3 other students with me.
And when I say kid, I really have no idea how old he is. They just said their "youngest son". That's not very helpful considering I'm my parents youngest child and I'm 21.
In other news, I am finding packing to be quite the challenge. The first thing I picked out was shoes. But I have an awful feeling that I'm going to have to omit a pair or two due to spacial reasons. So sue me if I want to bring black flats, brown flats, red flats, vans, nikes, wedges and flip-flops. The same challenge is apparent with scarves (is 12 too many?) and cardigans.
It doesn't help that I'm bringing 4 months of toiletries and make-up. However with all my packing woes, I am determined to stick to one duffel and one backpack. I don't want to be instantly recognized as an American by having too much stuff! I'm sure they will know I'm a stupid, consumerist American as soon as I open my mouth.
*Disclaimer: These may or may not be real thoughts that I had.
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