Sweet Home Chicago- final post

I'm not really sure if anyone will read this, but I did promise one more post.. I've been home for just over a day now, and it has been so wonderful :) Apart from serious jet lag, i'm SO happy to be home!! I was greeted at the airport by my family and their homemade signs- gotta love them! My flights were all good, apart from almost having souvenirs confescated at customs in Auckland, they went well. I didn't sleep a whole lot, but the onflight gaming system and movie choices kept me occupied for most of the flight! I arrived home around the same time on tuesday that i left auckland so it's a 8 day week for me :) I've already gotten to see a lot of family and Jaci and hopefully I'll see the rest of my friends this weekend!

It is definitely a weird feeling being at home again after being in another country for so long, and i can't even being to start typing all my feelings here, but Auckland is definitely a place i'm going to miss but i'm definitely looking to my future and what's in store for me next! Graduating and grad school (gasp!) i know, i'm growing up..

it's been quite the journey. i couldn't have asked for a better 4.5 months! i've been so blessed and God is faithful. i can't wait to spend the next few months at home speding time with family and friends and working in the bakery again :) until my next adventure....

kia ora!

3 down, 1 to go

I'm now finished with three of my four finals.. last on is this coming Friday! It will be nice to stretch out the studying during my last, LAST?.. week here. This past week was a long week of studying and being sick. When I wasn't studying, I was sleeping but I'm feeling much better now! It could be one miserable flight home with a sinus infection! Mariel's dad is here visiting so we did go out for dinner a few times which was nice considering we're down to pasta and peanut butter :) Today is my friend Meredith's birthday so we're going to celebrate tonight with new york style pizza- we'll see if it's going to live up to it's standard! Other than that this week will be our final chance to do things around the city and say our goodbyes.

I have mixed emotions about leaving this place. I've called it home for the past 5ish months and it will be very hard to leave knowing very well that it will be a long time before I can come back again! I've met some great people with whom I will most definitely keep in touch with! I've cried twice already thinking about leaving (surprise, surprise right?) But I will leave this place with only good memories, GREAT memories, and an experience that I will carry with me for a very long time. I am just so blessed to have been here and can't thank you all enough for your love and support. As sad as I am to leave, I am absolutely thrilled to come home! I miss my family and my friends very much, and yes, even Walt's :) I can't wait to sleep in my own bed, eat dad's hamburgers and go to my own church on Sundays. I'll try to post some final final thoughts and photos again next weekend but if not, most definitely when I get home in 9 days. Thank you for "coming along" on all my travels and following my life here in Auckland!

Bec