Sorry about the extra long post but it is actually several days worth that I just wasn’t able to get up before

Written October 28th:

What a whirlwind; parties, dinners, lots of hugs and a few tears much with a little more alcohol than strictly necessary. (Yes family, I do occasionally drink. I am very safe and I do not over indulge to the point a drunken wildness or sickness. With my health lately I am very careful).

Thursday night was Girls Night Out. Carrie, Katie, Mommo and I all had a drink and some food at Big River. Mommo departed to visit with friends and Allison joined us when she was free from work. We talked about what all women talk about when drinking in a group….Sex. Yep, when girls get together we talk about sex. Gross things, fun things, embarrassing things, stuff we like and stuff we don’t. We also discuss politics and religion (since Katie and I grew up with weird ones we always bond over that). I am going to miss the girls. This is the first group of close female friends that I have had since my sophmore year of high school.

Todd requested Friday night to be just us. He treated me to an awesome dinner of local mushroom risotto, a beautifully paired wine and a delicious dessert at Strega. Strega is a new roof top level restaurant on 2nd St that has gorgeous views of the coast range. Best place in Corvallis to enjoy the sunset.

Saturday my very dear friends threw me a farewell party. There were board games, Rock Band, and general fun. I had joked with Katie a few days previous when she had asked what I wanted that I wanted her to show up in a playboy bunny outfit. She wasn’t able to find one so she arrived in a dirndl! That completely made my night. Will, thanks for letting me ogle and leer at your wife all night. The best part of the night was the going away present my friends, lead by President Chambers, made me. They created a page-a-day calendar with a page for each that I a will gone. Everybody got a bunch days and they created personal calendars entries for me. Chris presided (and created) and got it all organized. There are storied of things we have done, funny comics, cool pictures, all kinds of things. I can’t wait to see them all but I am trying not to just read through. Needless to say it made me cry. It was absolutely the sweetest thing I’ve ever gotten from friends. I hereby declare the Krew: Bestus Frienduses! This exceedingly prestigious title holds equal place in my heart with Bestus Doggus and has never before been given.

Sunday part of the krew came over to Todd’s house and we carved pumpkins. We are all very artistic but I was amazed at how wonderful Chris and Andrew were at freehand pumpkin design and carving. Bravo gentlemen!

Monday I did laundry and despaired at ever getting packed. Had dinner with Brother, Dana and Niecey then went and had post dinner second dinner with Will and Katie. Saying good bye to them was really hard. They have been such wonderful friends and especially this last year they have been lifesavers. Life wont be as much fun without my Katie, love you!

Tuesday Todd and I departed at the crack of dawn so that we could get our hair cutified by the very talented Mr Alex Bravo and Wack Salon. We then went to the zoo where Todd taught me the zoo song (We’re going to the zoo,zoo,zoo How about you, you, you)and that there exist Easter songs, ask his and he might sing them for you. I’ve never heard of easter songs. Maybe I need more catholic friends? A great dinner of gourmet Mac’n Cheese (Really want Will and Katie to come up and have some of this too) finished my last night.

October 30-31

Today I leave. Tastey breakfast. Trying not cry. I found out last night that my dad cannot come and send me off. They had hauled to boat out of the water to give it a new paint job and the rain is coming more quickly than they had hoped. They have to get th epaint done before it hits or it will be bad. I know that at my age perhaps I shouldn’t be so attached to my father but I am a daddy’s girl and I was really looking forward to seeing him before I left. Fortunately Mom took me over to visit last week when she was here so I did just see him but I still cried. (and am crying now) I love you Dad! Mom is being a trooper. She’s sad I am going away but she likes her little back of nowhere home. Besides, she’ll be snowed in most of the time I am gone anyway. I think that Christmas will be hard on her though. Please give here lots of love for me Janice and Grammy.

I am actually typing this up on the first leg of the tripp which is from Portland to San Francisco, an hour and a half. At least united has more leg room than some of the other airlines because the flight from San Fran to Sydney is almost 15 hours. Leaving Todd at the security gate hard. We hung out until 40 minutes before boarding. We were both trying really hard to be excited but we both looked pretty glassy eyed. I know I cried when I got through (doing a lot of that today). I am really excited about this trip but it’s sad leaving family, friends, boyfriend and pets. It kind of scary also going to a whole different country, at least they speak english….kinda.

I feel pretty good about my health. Healing is going well, almost done.I would be a liar if I didn’t say I was a little scared that something else is going to go wrong but I really doubt it. After this summer I deserve 2 more to make for it.

Next post from Melbourne.

ok I lied. Next post from 35000 feet,10:23 am October 30 (in Oregon) = 4:23 am Ocotber 31 in Melbourne. Happy Halloween. I have been on this plane forever and feel like I will never be able to get off. They are secretly refueling us midair and flying in giant circles. Everything aches and the little naps I have taken have only made me more tired. But the little plane on the map shows Sydney within reach. Maybe 2 or 3 more hours. I just want to take a shower and go to sleep but I have another flight after this one! At lest it is only a 2 hour one.

In Melbourne:

I am in my room. Freshly showered (felt so good after all those hours traveling). My room is nice but has the worlds tiniest bed, one of those long singles they put in dorms. It will work. Met my boss and a couple of my coworkers and saw where I will be working. Super exhausted and there is the loudest mourning dove in the world outside my window. 2:35 pm here. Think that I am going to go to bed now. oh, and guess what? I saw a LORAKEET!!!!!