Adios Iowa

I am leaving my home in Iowa in about 10 hours. I am packed (except for the clothes still in the dryer) and ready to go. I have spent the last month saying goodbyes, some more difficult than others. On Sunday my mom threw me a bon voyage party for friends and family to come and bid me farewell. After that day I stopped being quite as nervous, and am now back to excitement. It was a great party. It was a little strange being the center of attention again... like a high school graduation party. I didn't feel like I deserved so much attention. But it was really wonderful to be surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers all day. Thank you to all who attended and to all who have wished me well along the way... it has almost paid off... tune in about a week from now!

I have been pretty tired this week from squeezing in final coffee and dinner meetings, last days of work, odd jobs here and there, packing, cleaning, organizing, planning, and the occasional daydream. Tonight was my last day at Fair World Gallery, the fair trade store where I have worked for a few years. My coworkers celebrated my adventure with a bottle of wine (from a vineyard in Iowa where I have helped harvest... how appropriate!). They shared good advice and some good stories, and helped me spend my last paycheck!

I still don't feel quite like it is happening. I am leaving my home for a year, but I don't get on a plane and leave for whole week. The tight squeezes from my parents reminds me that it's close. And sometimes there is that moment when it is hard to look at each other because when we do, we acknowledge that we won't be together forever. I hate that moment. But I am happy to be going on an adventure that I can share so easily with everyone, and happy that this is only a temporary separation. I am looking forward to allowing myself to be shaped by this opportunity and to learning more about myself, who I am, and who I am becoming. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to who I am now-- you have helped me on my journey to New Zealand.

Cheers!