Tomorrow

Tomorrow I head out for LA, early in the morning to spend my last two days in the States with my cousin Shi Ne!! She lives in Hollywood, so if I see Brad Pitt I'll take a picture. If I see John Mayer, I promise to punch him. 

My journey begins tomorrow! I leave for New Zealand on the 2nd of July, which is bizarre because I arrive on the 4th. Time Zones are so whack. I feel like its an alternate reality right now... totally surreal. I don't think I'll believe it till I actually get there, after a long 13 hour flight. Although, I have to say, after 17 hour flights to and from South Africa, 13 just doesn't seem as long anymore. AND, this time I'm prepared. I have eyeglasses so that I don't have to wear contact lenses for the entire flight. Goodness that was a painful experience when flying to South Africa.. I have no idea how long those were in for. 

Anyways, I am prepared. At least, as much as I can hope to be. I feel like returning to the States will be difficult, already. It was hard enough from South Africa, where I spent only 10 days. But then again, I suppose NZ is completely different. So we'll have to see. I am grateful that have two days left in the States, still with family but away from Colorado to start mentally preparing myself for all the changes I'm about to be bombarded with. From what I read, the Kiwis are like a million times more laid back. The biggest city, Auckland, has just over 500,000 people... aren't there like 2 million in DC alone?? That'll be something I'll have to get used to. Night life is like any other night life, except the drinking age is 18. And extreme sports is a source of national pride. Don't be surprised when I come home wearing an All Blacks jersey! YAY RUGBY!! I've learned a little bit about Maori culture and the conflicts between the white, Western settlers and the Maoris. I also have learned a bit about their economics and politics. I don't know what else I can do to prepare except to simply accept that I'm going. 

I'm so excited! There are 14 people in my program, and oddly enough, three of us are from CO. How crazy is that?!? You'd think it'd be like NY or NJ that would have more than one representative. But no, it's CO. Although, it does kind of make sense: Coloradans love the outdoors and extreme sports. Skydiving, here I come! 

I know that I will be a different person when I return. And I also know that Littleton, CO will be the exact same it has always been--perhaps with a few new buildings and old ones torn down. I pray that people are super understanding of this, but I suppose I'll just remind everyone later. 6 months in NZ, and I can't wait for it to start. SEE YA!