Wai

How does someone say goodbye to an entire country? Somehow I am going to try.



The finals are in, the classes are over (hopefully I passed them all... marine ecology certainly gave me a run for my money. If I ever hear the phrase 'larval dispersal' again so help me...) and the majority of my Aussie friends have already gone home. I've got a few more days left. On Saturday I'm driving to Ma Ma creek to camp for three days and celebrate a friend's birthday. I have a Tuesday flight home. Away.



I really wish I could fast forward a month, so that I'm settled at home and have skipped that nasty adjustment part. The part where I wake up and have no idea where I am. The part where I fumble with American money and don't understand the new slang or the words to the new songs. Where I think of something funny and there's a split second where I think I can mosey down the hall to Estelle's room and share it with her. When I look up at the night sky and absently search for the Southern Cross. Because then I'll remember it's over.



There are new adventures to come, I know. Both here and elsewhere. I cannot WAIT to be back in my place in my family. I can't wait to drop Mallory off at college, and console Mom to distract my own sadness at her leaving. I can't wait to run around with Echo, and for summer, and to catch up with all of you, who I have missed.

Very mixed feelings.

Wai is goodbye in the Warlpiri Aboriginal people's language. There are hundreds of different Indigenous nations in Australia, each with their own language. I remembered this one though... I think because the word sounds a bit like the sadness I feel.

In a weird way, I think I'm ready to come home. I've accepted it, and I'm glad. All good things have to come to an end sometime. But I'll never be quite the same- in several small ways Australia is coming with me.

And I'll definitely be back.