Corvallis: my new home for the next few months or so. Not normally one for small towns and cold weather, it will be interesting to see how long it takes me to go crazy and be found washing my hair in the river or singing karaoke at a bar... Corvallis is a university town, located in the Willamette Valley about 140km south of Portland and is where Oregon State University is located. Most people living here either work at or are students of OSU. Of course it is th...

I've been in Oregon for a week and it feels more like months! I have to say it had been pretty easy to fall in love with this state. The people here are super friendly, which some might say has something to do with my Aussie accent, but I like to think Oregonians are just friendly people. So that has made me feel more at home. On arrival, I spent only a day in Portland, mainly shopping (I brought barely anything with me except my snowboard and a few clothes) an...

With mixed emotions I am setting off from Melbourne on a trip of a lifetime! My initial destination - Corvallis in Oregon, USA. Where I will end up and for how long, no one knows! And THAT is part of the adventure... Saying farewell to many friends and family was emotional but made me realise how fortunate I am to have such great people around me, some who I hope to see while I'm abroad. I am a bit nervous about a few things but that is to be expected when so m...