Goodbye Australia!

This morning I was persuaded to write one more blog entry...so I shall try to do so. I don't have a whole lot to say that I haven't already said. I am really excited to come home...but it really hit me today how much I'm going to miss it here. I had my last exam (which went pretty well I think) and I took my special rainforest path back to the lodge which was nice. The kookaburras and the cockatoos were watching me from the trees and it nearly brought tears to my eyes when I thought about how I won't be hearing them anymore after tomorrow. It's going to be difficult to say goodbye to all of my new friends, as I've said before....but I don't really need to write more about how difficult it is to leave because I think everyone gets the picture. It's hard, but at the same time I am too excited to be sad. I've missed everyone so much and I've been sick this week and I'm sick of studying so that'll make it easier to go home as well. I will always miss the people I met here and the fun times I had...but I am so grateful to have had this experience....saying goodbye is just part of it. Before I went abroad all I heard about was how it changes you and your outlook on life..blah blah blah...and now that I have actually been abroad for 5 months I really see what they meant. I've grown up a lot and feel that I can take on any challenges life may throw my way. I've lived on my own in a country where I didn't know anyone before I went. I've had my fair share of difficulties: social, physical, and mental, and I had to be the one to deal with them. I've met so many people from all over the world and I feel like I'm more cultured now as well. This is getting really obvious and boring though...to sum it all up this past semester has been amazing and while I'm sad it's over I will always have the memories and I'm ready for my next adventure! I've really enjoyed posting some of my experiences on here for everyone to read and I hope that you've all enjoyed them. Can't wait to see most of you when I get back! (I get back really early in the morning on Sunday EST)....it's actually weird because my flight for LA leaves Saturday afternoon and I'm in Albany, NY by Saturday night after 26 hours of flying!..gotta love the time difference!