It is 4am on Sunday night. Well, Monday morning I guess…packing and emotionally drained from too many goodbyes. I am snuggling with my blanket teary-eyed listening to the music I’ve recorded while here, realizing just how soon I am leaving. In less than 10 hours I will be on a plane that ends my Aussie Adventure. As of right now, I fucking hate that plane. The past couple days have been full of hugs and tears, saying goodbye to some of the most amazing, beautiful, unique people I have ever met…and it’s still not done, and still not getting any easier. You have all impacted my life in such an intense way I never thought imaginable.

The other day Tara and I went skydiving, something I have wanted to do for a couple of years but never admitted out loud. I wanted to feel the sky, touch the clouds, and of course just wear my giraffe onesie in the most absurd place. Skydiving, is something I still can’t believe I actually did…just like how I still can’t believe or accept that I’m actually leaving this beautiful place in just a short 4 hours when I leave at 8am.

Saying these past four months have been some of the best of my life would be an understatement. The places I’ve seen, the things I’ve done, all the new experiences I’ve had…But I would have to say it’s the people I’ve met who made this trip the most amazing it could have been. You are all some of the most beautiful humans I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve conquered. We’ve even rapped, sang, and danced in the Burwood streets. The Palace has seen us at our worst, and best…most of the time in the same night.

When I made the decision to study abroad in Australia, I knew I would fall in love with all of you…I guess I just didn’t realize the amount of love I would fall in love…and if you haven’t already figured it out, it’s a large amount. I expected my experience to be incomparable to anything else, and you have exceeded those expectations by millions and millions of miles. I mean kilos, as you crazy Aussies would say.

Saying goodbye is one of the toughest things for me to do. I always feel like I leave something important out that I wanted to say or express to that person who I’m saying bye to. And now I have to say bye to an entire second family?! What is this insanity. I also just don’t like the idea of never seeing you all again. So let’s make a promise. I know it’s hard to say we’ll definitely see each other, because of the whole living on the other side of the world situation, but let’s say we’ll promise to try and see each other. At least promise to keep in touch. It can just be a nice Skype conversation. A Facebook message. I’ll even settle for a silly Snapchat! I just have gotten so accustomed to having you all in my life, I’m not ready to let go for good.

No longer will I be in a car on the left side of the road…or hear Australian accents in the media. Or surrounding me constantly, for that matter. Goon will no longer burn my throat and whisper sweet nothings in my ear persuading me make bad decisions. I can’t walk to a Hungry Jacks or hop on a tram to get some Maccas. If I say ‘Maccas’ in the U.S. no one will understand me. I won’t say a word or phrase and get looked at like I’m a crazy person from another planet. I also will no longer hear a word or phrase and look at that person like they’re crazy or from another planet. Gary will no longer serenade me on Thursdays. The Hawthorne Hotel will no longer overcharge me for drinks or try to be better than the Palace (and fail). I can’t say reckon. I can’t say keen. But hey let’s get real, I can’t really get away with saying it here without being laughed at anyway. When I ask people to play ruit, I won’t have to clarify and say beer pong. I won’t break of dawn it and see the beautiful sun come up with my Australian friends right beside me.

I won’t have to worry about setting off ridiculous fire alarms with my incessant bacon cooking. I will not longer run around the student village screaming how much better it is than MB (sorry MB fools). I won’t hear my lovely one of a kind roommates scampering around the halls throwing footy balls and putting condoms on each others’ doorknobs. Or battle for the better shower. No more family dinners. No more quote boards or neighborhood watches – BUT I’m definitely bringing that one back to America because it’s fucking hilarious. No more teaching Aussies how to play ruit and other stupid card games. No more unit functions and cursing those who didn’t do their dishes. No more vegemite in the cabinets, which, yes, I did try. Not doing that again.

But again, for me, it’s about the people. I have met the most genuine and friendly people I have ever encountered. They don’t call us Massholes back in Massachusetts for no reason. Not to diss you my fine fellow American beauties, but let’s get real, we can be real dicks. Australians are SO NICE. Even if they don’t know you, they are kind off the bat. They help you when you are lost or in trouble and don’t expect anything in return.

It absolutely breaks my heart to have to say goodbye.

If I could have it my way, I would bring all of my U.S. friends and family and UMASS over to Australia so I could merge the two together, thus creating Ameristralia. But of course sometimes dreams are broken.

The reality is; I need to go home, and I know that, unfortunately, it is time. And maybe knowing I would eventually have to go is what has made this adventure so amazing. When you have a time stamp usually you push yourself to make the most of your time, and I can definitely say I have, all thanks you guys.

Through tears, sobbing, and snot, I’m still smiling on the inside knowing I have another entire family 16,000 miles away from my Massachusetts home. I’ll always remember and cherish my Aussie Adventure.

Oh and if you haven’t listened yet, here’s a song I wrote about my heartache…I’ve never written a really sad song before, so I thought it was time to take that plunge.

and here’s another new cover with my friend Titty!

And check out the video!

 

Thank you for the best 4 months of my life, I love all of you crazy kids, and stay weird.