The Final Countdown

Two days from now, I will be somewhere over the Pacific. This will likely be the last blog post that I write in Australia. After a couple days at home or so I will write a thorough reflection, but for now, my last week! Last post I left off with surfing and goodbye cake. We'll pick right back up with last Sunday. :)

Last Sunday, Rachel, Nina, Jarryd, and I went wine tasting with a local tour organization. Throughout the day we went to four different wineries on the Bellarine Peninsula and were treated to wonderful wine and beautiful views. The last picture included is looking out over Port Phillip Bay towards the You Yangs, where Rachel and I had hiked days before. This area of Australia is beautiful, and it was really cool to see this large land mass from yet another perspective.

The next day, we stuck around Geelong. Considering I hadn't studied for any of my upcoming exams, I figured we could take a break so I could have some time for my studies. Nina, Rachel, Jess, Issy, and I made dinner that night and I got some pictures with Jess and Issy that will last me a lifetime.

For Rachel's last day, we spent the day exploring Melbourne. We started off at the National Gallery of Victoria, a free art museum that is also Australia's largest and oldest. The art was varied and beautiful, and the museum was busy! Unfortunately, we didn't get to see all of it before lunchtime rolled around. To end the day, we had some drinks in Federation Square and watched some cricket and bowling on the large tvs. It was great having Rachel!

The rest of my week was spent getting ready for exams and mentally preparing to say goodbye to friends. Friday night, some of us international students went out one last time. Nina, Jarryd, Alex, Noah, Angus, and I ended up at this hilarious pub aimed towards older people called Amped. Alex, Noah, and Angus had made it their Friday night ritual for almost the entire semester to go to this pub for the classic rock and live music. Considering it was the last Friday we would all be in the country, we had to see what it was about. We were definitely the youngest ones in the pub by at least 30 years, but it was so fun. The music was great and nearly everyone there recognized the boys. Plenty of older women were flirting with them too, which was hilarious to watch. I've included a video towards the end of us dancing to Footloose. Sunday I went to church for the last time, and Nina, Daniel, and I made one last trip to Melbourne.

I was very proud of myself when I realized I did not need to use my Google maps hardly at all to navigate where I wanted to go. We used the metros and trams, and I didn't need it. For those who knew me when I first started driving, navigation has not always been a super strong suit of mine. A year ago when I was trying to decide where to go, the thought of living in/near a major city worried me a bit. I was worried it would be overwhelming and too much to handle. I couldn't have been more wrong! From the beginning I loved Melbourne and don't feel afraid of big cities. Side note: I had to take a picture of all the different versions of Catan in a game store for my family and the Lowes. There were a ton!!!

An eight floor department store

Monday after our last exam, I said goodbye to Nina. It still hasn't quite sunk in that she isn't here and isn't coming back here. I said goodbye to my Bible study last night, and goodbye to Issy today. It's more uncomfortable saying goodbye here, because there is a very real chance I will never see some of these people again. The uncertainty and finality makes me uncomfortable. I can't wait to get home, but I will miss the people here terribly.

My laundry is in the dryer, and after I have some lunch I will get started packing! I will fly out of Melbourne at 9:30 am on Thursday, and land in Des Moines at 11:18 pm on Thursday also...my Thursday will be over 40 hours long. Whoever says time travel isn't possible has never flown over the international date line. :)