"Carolina, you keep calling me home..."

Well, today we leave the Gold Coast. We're staying in a hotel in Brisbane tonight and then flight out for L.A. in the morning. It's so hard to believe that our time here has come to an end. We've had such an amazing trip and met some truly great friends. I would never give up the memories and lessons I've learned through this experience. I still can't believe I've made it almost 5 months without seeing my friends and family (You should all be amazing that I survived that!). Gold Coast really has been like a home to me, I can't stand the thought of never going to my f avorite shopping center, or the IGA across the street, or walk through the sand on one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen... I HAVE to come back here one day, though I know it will never be the same.  I have to say I would never have made it through this without my wonderful friends and room mates, they've been my strength and my caretakers through the last few months. We'll always have this experience to keep us together.  I should really get to finish packing up everything left (not much) and taking out our last trash... It's so hard to believe I am leaving here in less than two hours. Thanks to all of you who have followed me along the way, I'll post when I get home to let you know how that feels!!!

The Final Countdown

Well tomorrow we hit single digits... only ten days left in Australia. I am getting so anxious. I have not been able to get to sleep easily in over a week already! I am so unbelievable excited to see my friends and family, and of course eat some delicious food. Leaving Gold Coast will be sad, but we've had a good run. Looking back I would not trade this experience for anything, though I must say I don't think I would ever repeat it. I'll cherish the memories forever but man oh man do I miss my family and good ole N.C.  I am done with three exams and have one left tomorrow afternoon, sadly I am completely unmotivated to even start studying for it (I guess I'll do that soon). The girls and I are just trying to do our best to enjoy the sun during the day and try to keep warm at night, the temperatures are insane! But we're just hanging around the apartment and enjoying our time left here together. My time spent on the balcony will be adding up this week, I need to get some tan so I won't burn when I go back to work! I can't wait to be there though. That's about all for now... See you soon!!!

Procrastination is my LIFE!

My room mates on my Birthday at Melba's

Well, it's 11 p.m. my time here in Gold Coast and I am trying/pretending to finish up a take home exam paper. Out of ten questions I've done nine.... that last one is just escaping me! I figured I'd blog to waste the time productively! Well I really only have about 17 days left here in Goldie and while I am excited to head home it is sad to leave a place that has had such an impact on my life. I have learned so much about myself just by being here. I have learned that I can go 4 months without seeing most of my loved ones (who knew that was possible for a homebody like me?!), I can get through just about any obstacle/tragedy (cause lets face it, they've been frequent), I can go without a computer (I must have escaped the technology dependent generation after all!), I can make myself have a 'night life' even when I don't really want one, and most of all I will make it the next few years with some of the best friends and room mates I could ask for (we haven't killed each other yet!). I have done so many amazing things here and just lived a day to day brilliant life. I know I am so blessed to have had the experiences I have had here. While I venture home I'll remember the lessons I've learned, and keep the stronger me I have discovered as the real me. I cannot wait to get home and see my family and friends whom I miss so much... And I guess making a visit to bojangles won't be too bad either!!! See you all soon, xoxo