Now and Then

It's crazy how many things can change in three months.

Was it really just January that I was crying at the airport before going to sit at the gate by myself and wait for my journey across the world to begin? And is it really only ten days until I'll be at the airport again, but this time with all the friends I've made?

I remember first walking in to our apartment - big and completely clean and empty. It didn't feel like a place that was going to be home, and yet it is now. Our closets are filled with our clothes, the beds are unmade, our homework is spread across the kitchen table and even though everything is a mess, it's exactly as it should be. The first time we said we were "going home" and meant to our apartment in Sydney was a wonderful thing and I hope I always think of this place as one of the many homes I've had.

I remember my struggles to learn Sydney public transit - missing the bus (something I still do, truthfully), not understanding the trains, talking at a volume that is far louder than acceptable at 8 a.m. While I still hate the M20 bus (and as I said, miss it regularly) and Julie still shushes me on the train from time to time, I've adjusted. I feel like I could get anywhere in the city, and help anyone else get there too.

I remember when I was terrified to meet everyone here, and my relief when Julie walked in the door, hugged me, and immediately began to talk like we hadn't just met five seconds before. There was further relief upon finding out that almost everyone was that way - we were all scared, all wanted to make friends here. Now I can't imagine leaving everyone, knowing that there are people I will never see again. I never thought I would cry when I leave this place, but I just might.

I remember so many things from this city. Starting my internship, sitting through my first 3.5 hour class, finally getting to eat gelato, being allowed inside the bar, seeing fireworks in Darling Harbour, walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, touching the Opera House, and so much more.

And now that I have all these memories, I have so many more to look forward to. I can't wait to have my own room, eat homemade meals, and have a clean living space. I'm crazy excited to drive my own car, windows down and music up on the right side of the road. I'm looking forward to eating American food, watching the Twins, and playing tennis. I am counting down to the days until I can set foot on the U of M campus again, and I am ecstatic that I am only 11 days from walking back into the Minnesota Daily and getting to work. But most of all, I can't wait to hug my family and friends, recount stories of my adventures, and hear everything that's been going on back home. This is what will bring me home to Minnesota, again and again and again.

10 more days in paradise, and then I'm ready for Minnesota (even if it means cold and snow) :)