Two days and counting, and this is my first blog...ever!

Hello All,

My name is Nicholas (Nick) Michael, I will be taking over the blog that Desiree Mitchell had started from her adventures in Wales. Now on to more introductions. I am a Graphic Design student at Rogers State University. I am an artist, designer, photographer (kinda), bartender, and student. I have lived in Oklahoma my whole life, and even better, I have lived in Claremore my whole life too. As an artist, my experience has been limited. I have dreamed of seeing the world and believe that any experiences I encounter in Wales will make me a more talented artist. My passions have always involved all kinds of foods, design, history, science and art. I can't wait to see Europe! I hope to be inspired by everything that surrounds me in there.

As I said earlier, I will be taking over the blog for Desiree. I have been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to travel to Wales and study at Swansea University. I leave in two days and have been...uh we'll say "slightly" stressed out trying to accomplish everything before I leave. I have had certain graphic design jobs and projects that I am rapidly trying finish before Wednesday when I leave. Like Desiree had mentioned in her first post, I have been diligently working towards gathering all necessary material for my almost six month stay in Wales. Passport, bank statements providing information on how I plan to support myself while in Wales, luggage, packing, tons and tons of paperwork proving my enrollment in the University, are just some of materials I will need to travel. Of course, I had to do a lot of shopping; Camera, new iphone...which is only the single greatest invention since the automobile, clothes, blah blah blah, there has been a ton more but I will spare you the details.

My goal is to be able to comfortably travel to some of the most beautiful places of Europe while studying at Swansea. The greatest opportunity for these trips will be on the weekends, Easter break, and after the semester has finished. What is wonderful about the spring semester is the nearly month long Easter break that runs from March 21st thru April 19th. I am so very pleased to know that both my parents Greg and Lynn Michael, and my best friend Daniel with his girlfriend Kinda will all be trying their best to visit me on the Easter break. Also, when the semester ends on June 10th, my little brother Sean will be joining me for another two week journey through Europe before I depart for the USA on June 27th.

Sadly, but happily I did the one thing that I never ever believed I would have to do, I sold my 1967 Mustang Fastback. It was a hard hard decision, but one that I believe was the best thing for me to do. Sure, I believe I would have been just fine with the savings that I had, but there were a couple things I wanted to make sure of. First, when I am in Europe I hope to see and experience everything with no regrets and no financial hurdles. Secondly, it just seemed like the responsible thing to do. My Mustang had seen better days, and although I have held on to it for the last 12 years, it seems like this is the opportunity for it to go to a better place and receive really good attention. Overall, I am happy to have sold it to a good home and I know that my journey's through Europe will be all the more successful now.

So, this is the first blog that I have ever written. I hope to make it as entertaining as possible.

I am a newbie photographer and only recently finished my first black and white photography class. This is one of my favorite pictures from that class. I hope that I can capture all the beauty of Wales and Europe so that I may share them in this blog. Before I wrap up this preliminary blog, I would like to take a moment to thank a few people for making this all possible. Thank you first off to Bryce Brimer for all the help and for the initial introduction to the possibility to study in Wales. Bryce contacted me this summer with information about the program and has been working with me the entire fall semester to get everything in order. Special thanks also to Carolyn Taylor, Sharon Kern, Taylor Finney, and Nicole Nascenzi for their extra work and support all semester to help bring this all together. Thank you Desiree Mitchell for giving me extra tips for traveling and the financial help to pay for the semester. Daniel Clark, my roommate, you more than anyone have had to listen to me blab about this trip for the last six months and you have never once complained. I know you have probably gotten tired of listening to me talk about it. I do hope you can make it over to see me in Europe. Last and most certainly not least, my mother and father. They have been my rock and I know that they have done and would do anything to help me accomplish this trip, I love you both very much!

That's all for now folks! Next time you hear from me, I will be in Wales and the adventure will begin. I hope this becomes a life changing trip!