the beginning of the homecoming

There are so many things I would like to talk about..There is an entire adventure in New Zealand that needs to be illustrated; my birthday celebration(s); my return to Tassie. This blog however has a very simple dedication and focus: the beginning of coming home. That's right ladies and gents, I am actually coming home (in 16 days to be precise). The reason I chose to bring this up at this time is because the IFSA Butler program that I am a part of concluded today. Dara, our student advisor, took us out for a farewell dinner. I hate to be sentimental again, but dinners really do bring out the true levels of friendship. Even though I have not seen her in forever, Becky is still one of my closest friends. We have hung out perhaps a handful of times outside of Butler activities, yet we just go back to where we left off when we reunite. Derek and I are just ridiculous. I am not sure what is said, who says it first, or in what mind set we are in, but whenever we are together, hilarity commences. As for Temi, Lisa and I, well we always get along. Our relationships with each other have grown so much and I am proud to call them friends.

Dara as well, my program advisor, is not just an authority/mentor figure. She is a parent, a leader, a role model, a person I can trust. It also helps that she is a Granada Hills native. Tonight at our fancy shmancy dinner at the Ball and Chain Grill (a super nice steak house), Dara presented us Butler students with a DVD of our adventures together. We were given letters that Dara had written specifically for us, accompanied by a glow stick and a lolly. The most significant part of the package however, was not created by Dara. In fact, I created it. On the second day of living in Sydney during our orientation, we were asked to write a letter to ourselves--for us to open at the end of our trip. We were supposed to analyze it or even just enjoy it and witness first hand how we have grown and changed as individuals. When I read mine, it was completely unexpected. This blog is a dedication to this letter to myself. I hope you come to enjoy it as Dara, Derek, Becky, Lisa, Temi, Mary and I have!

Here goes nothing:

"Letter to Myself:

I am so tired. Keeping my eyelids open is a hassle. Australia is beautiful. I guess I have missed this. Thus far I'm making friends, going on hikes, exploring the terrain. I'm really overwhelmed, but that is to be expected. At least I'm not nervous anymore.

For this trip, I want to expand my artistic knowledge, enhance my self confidence and discard apprehensions of the future. I want to live in the 'now' and cease to concern myself with other's toxic judgement.

This trip for me, hopefully, will be a self fulfilling adventure; enabling me to past boundaries I once thought existed. In return, when I arrive in Los Angeles June 24th, I will be the same and not the same.

I feel like I'm at camp.

Aussies have super cheerful accents.

I am super white.

I cannot wait for Tasmania

-Later

-Alie

PS: It's super hot here in Sydney

PPS: I want to watch the world cup with Aussies."

Good night everyone! I will write about NZ and my birthday when I finish my final!