Another One In The Books

I’m half way done with college. Half way done with the college diet, half way done with classes, half way done with awkward on-campus encounters with people whose names I forgot, half way done with thinking all beer tastes the same, and half way done with meeting people I will never forget. But hey, I’ve got one more half left. Half glass empty or half glass full, you still need to drink half. Meeting new people in college is always “hit or miss,” and the ones I “hit” I will truly miss. I think a man is made by the people he surrounds himself with, and I wanted to take this time to thank some of the people that have been apart of it.

            To the band (False North): Conner, Sean and Ryan

I still can’t believe what we accomplished in one school year. We wrote eight (now nine)(now ten) songs, made an EP, produced a music video, recorded a studio legit single and played three shows all in eight months while practicing twice a week and being full time college students. It is humbling to be performing with great musicians like you guys. When I was sitting behind my kit at the Orpheum I was thinking about how quickly we bonded and made a sound that you don’t hear from bands nowadays. It’s ironic because I was skeptical at first and honesty didn’t think we would mesh and make good music. But here we are now, booking more shows and meeting with producers to talk about possibly recording an album. I might be a bit rusty when I come back but here’s to another one in the books. #WeAreTrueSouth https://www.facebook.com/falsenorthband https://www.youtube.com/user/falsenorthmusic http://instagram.com/falsenorthband https://soundcloud.com/false-north

            To Cassie and Laura:

You two are my best friends and I couldn’t have picked any better. Cassie, I’ve known you for over ten years and I’ve known Laura for just over ten months.

I wanted to say thank you for being goofballs with me and for always having my back when I get myself out of control in any way. You both know I’m a lot to handle so I thank you for having patience. Also, thank you for giving me the truth even if it’s not the easiest thing to do. I can honestly say that my year would have been a lot duller if it weren’t for you two. It won’t be easy to leave you, your roommates, your hot cousin (Cassie), or the group of friends that we’ve made together but I am always glad that I got to be a part of your freshman year of college. I can’t wait to come back and to share adventures with one another. Who am I kidding; we’ll be in touch. Here’s to another one in the books.

            To Jessie, Zoe, and Emily:

Whew, where to begin with you guys? I’ll begin with the “end” real quick. The last night we were all hanging out together Zoe said something that sums up our group perfectly. She said. “Even though Greg is leaving for a while, (and Jessie and Emily), I feel like this is group that will stay together for a long time.” It was something like that I don’t remember it perfectly but it just made sense. It’s hard to measure the memories we had this past year, but in recollection, it was an adventure. There was rarely an awkward moment, unless it was sarcastically awkward or Emily telling Jeff to kindly shut the fuck up. Some of our memories aren’t necessarily appropriate for a blog (like that last one) and that’s just fine with me because I’d rather keep them for ourselves. I can’t imagine getting through sophomore year with you blondes. For Jessie, have fun in Italy, drink tons of wine (for the antioxidants), keep quoting The Office, and find yourself the Italian hunk you deserve. For Zoe, have fun in California for the summer in the not 110 degree weather, keep making me jealous on Instagram with your beach pictures, and take the break you deserve. For Emily, keep on being awkward, never miss an opportunity to get In N’ Out, have fun in Africa, don’t get eaten by sharks (but if you do make sure it’s cool enough to get on Shark Week), and don’t get eaten by sharks, Gary wouldn’t like that. I met you guys through a History of Rock and Roll class which just goes to prove that a little bit of rock and roll brings a little bit of fun. Like they say, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. –Wayne Gretzky” –Michael Scott. Here’s to another one in the books.

            To my Bromigos: Jeff, Quay, Kevin, Reece, and Davis

I just had to add “Bromigos” to this computers dictionary, amateur. In all seriousness though, I can count on you guys for anything, whether you live in Flagstaff or not. And that gives me security when I know I need something while abroad. You all bring out the best in me, academically, socially, whatever it may be; I’m my best self when around you all. That’s why I have officially decided to pack you in my suitcases so we can live it up together. Unless I meet a really cute girl or I find an awesome baby pet kangaroo, I could never replace you guys, even if I tried. Try not to have too much fun without me and don’t get to crazy, but cheers to another one in the books.

If I’ve learned anything in college it’s that time waits for no one. The second year of college has been the best year of my life and I can’t wait to write another one in the books.

The University of Western Sydney

            In the words of the great LeBron James, “I’m taking my talents to the University of Western Sydney.”  People continue to ask me the question, “why are you choosing Australia or the University of Western Sydney,” so I hope this document will provide some answers even though I still have no definitive, perfect reason for it.

First of all, I’ve been blessed to live in the same neighborhood with the same friends my entire life. Some people see that as a bore but it is a part of me that I highly value. I’ve met friends in college who have told me that they don’t have a place to call home because their family moved around when they were young. Despite not knowing what this feels like, I still see it with empathy. I have a home, and I’m lucky I do. In fact, I have two homes, Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona. It will not be easy to leave my home, but I’m ready for a new adventure. That’s my first reason for studying abroad because “life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Next, I choose an exchange program with a company called ISEP that fit well with the scholarship I have at Northern Arizona University. Along with this, I can take classes at the UWS that will transfer at NAU and still keep me on course to graduate. It all just worked well with my chemistry major and the checkbook.

Now, why Australia? To be honest, I still can’t answer that question without hesitation because I’ve never been out of the country. But I can partially answer it. They do speak English there, so that’s convenient.  It’s a nation that is just as fanatic about their sports as we are in the States, if not more. We have football, basketball, baseball, hockey and other minor sports and they have rugby, cricket, swimming, surfing and other minor sports. Don’t forget about the American Football League, which is neither football, soccer nor rugby, but just as popular as the NFL. Plus, I’ve always wanted to live in a coastal city because I’ve either lived in the desert or the mountains. Australia is a coastland of adventurous opportunity. I can cross things of my bucketlist there like, learn how to surf, bungee jump and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Lastly, Australians have the sexiest accents ever, and I heard the ladies like American accents so that’s convenient. All in all, I can picture myself being most comfortable with the culture, food, sports and people in Australia; I think I’ll fit in.

            As for the details, I leave in late June 2014. I am headed to the University of Western Sydney and I will be living at the Parramatta campus. This is about twenty to thirty minutes from downtown Sydney by tram. As of right now, I’ll be living on campus in an international housing facility with different people from all over the world. I get back sometime in early December which will give me plenty of time to recuperate from one crazy country, to the next. 

            One of my goals in 2014 was to make Flagstaff my home. Now, I look to make another home all the way across the globe. I know nothing will be perfect about Australia, but I get by with a little help from my friends. I picked a Univerisity and a country based on its beauty, but at the end of the day it is up to me to make the most of it.

Just the Beginning

This is my official blog. If you plan to follow me during my time abroad in Australia, this will be the place to go. If you, for some reason, want something more in depth, Twitter is the place to go (https://twitter.com/gregorygrand. Before I begin with regular blogs I just wanted to inform any one reading this of a few things.

One. Even though I like sharing memories or adventures on social media, including blogging and Twitter, I hope to write on this blog as little as possible. I want to live in those moments, rather than re-living them in a later time. I don’t want to pressure myself into blogging when I literally have an entire continent to fall in love with.

Two. Unlike most college guys my age, I’m not afraid or held back to show any emotion. You’ll see in later blogs but I’m very appreciative of the people in my life and I express it without restriction. I’m straightforward and I’ll say what I’m thinking. I think this is better because it sort of diminishes that “electronic wall” where the use of technology limits any kind of feeling. The Living Abroad in Australia books didn’t cut it for me and I’ll give you an honest and real account about what it is like to be in my shoes.

That about does it. When I have time for the next blog I will talk about where I’m moving to and why I’m moving there.