The things I learned without realizing I was learning them

Bittersweet is the only way to describe this day. We woke up late, hit the mall for a bit, grabbed some lunch, went to 8456473822 souvenir shops, hung out by the pier and got some sunshine, had gelato and then our last group meal together. I am going to miss this but I am ready to go home.

Looking back to day 1 in Auckland, New Zealand, I never would have guessed I would be where I am today. Not in the physical/geographical sense, but more of the personal development sense. I was so hell bent on being authoritarian so the students would understand the boundaries we have I forgot to be a person, I was a policy robot. I was still quite uptight in Rotorua and Wellington before I started to relax. "They're adults...they can make their own choices and deal with consequences." Well, as the trip progressed I tried to relax more. Once I gave up on those ridiculous boundaries I started to really get to know the 13 unique people on this trip.

We all make snap judgements about people, it is how we are hard wired. We try to make judgments and assumptions so we can anticipate action/behavior to help ease anxiety of the unknown. Through getting to know everyone, I realized I was way off on a few of the group members.

It is humbling and exciting to realize what we were hoping students would get out of the intercultural experience, I got out of spending time with them. I enjoyed meeting people from all over the world, and believe it or not, I am even more outgoing now. I am more confidant in myself as a leader for this experience and I find myself attached to each and every student. There have been days when they drove me crazy and days I would laugh so hard my stomach hurt and tears rolled down my face. I have watched them learn and experience the world and grow as people. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Most of them will never realize the connection or attribute their growth to this trip. They will simply feel the same as they did 33 days ago, even though I can vouch their eyes have opened. Maybe not to big global issues, but to the every day differences, struggles, similarities, and taken for granted thy have in life. Their behavior speaks to growth but more importantly is what they say. I can tell they are all changing their ideas about the world and how even though it is huge, we are a global community.

I have learned one important thing I heard years ago but it never stuck: don't take life too seriously, you will never get out alive. I focused a lot on the little things and missed the bigger picture at times. I took some time to realize I needed to get back in the flow of the universe, perpetuate my attitude of gratitude, and take life in stride while loving what is. That way....I know I will make it out alive.

Cairns...again...

So we are on round two of Cairns which only means one thing...our trip is coming to a close. Tomorrow (Saturday) is our last day in Australia. Sunday begins the hellacious travel day we call July 3rd. We leave Cairns at 5:30 am....we land in Chicago at 5:20 pm....here is the twist: our flight to Brisbane is 2 hrs...a 2 hrs layover...13 hrs to Los Angeles...quick layover...then 4 hours home. Add that to the 3 hr wait for our shuttle plus a 4 hr drive to Champaign and July 3rd becomes the longest day of my year. 28 hours travel time...all happening on July 3rd. Oh international date line, you heartless bitch.

We have all put travel to the back of our minds and are enjoying what we can while we can. Today was a relaxing day of shopping, chatting on Skype Isaiah, souvenir hunting, a delicious Italian meal cooked by the 5 guys; and then after playing beauty parlor with the girls and making Kyle a hemp necklace, a few of us went to see Bridesmaids. The souvenirs were plentiful, the meal...ridiculously amazing, Hailey's hair was fin to d and the movie was hilarious.

Tomorrow Sarah, Sean, Mowgli (stuffed panther mascot) and I plan to hit the beach to get a little more sun to top off the tans we got at the Great Barrier Reef. We have another group meal tomorrow night so I won't get to stay at the beach all day, I have to take the cooking group shopping. Hopefully some people will till be around since most of the students are going to Kuranda to hold a Koala bear. We fed kangaroos in the rainforest at a restaurant....no need to do it twice and this time it super isn't free. I would rather enjoy the ocean for one last day.

My only stressor at this point: one 50 lb. suitcase, one carryon and one personal item....how do I condense ALL this stuff into that baggage maximum......I need Harry Potter or something! Excited to be heading home soon, though. I miss Isaiah and Sipper and the Walsh family. To go from seeing them daily to not at all for 33 days is tough! I'm coming home and i'm bringing goodies!!!!