foodWhen the goodbyes first began in late October with the Arcadia farewell dinner, I felt ridiculous. It was a fantastic event, our program director Jane treating us all to one of Dunedin’s swankier restaurants, Bell Pepper Blues. It was an evening of much storytelling and laughter, camaraderie and recollection. There were still three whole weeks left before I left New Zealand; surely it was much too soon to make grand speeches and reminisce over fond memories. Surely it was much too soon to exchange contact information for keeping in touch. Surely it was much too soon to utter that most permanent of parting phrases, “Goodbye.” And while the feeling was too subtle to articulate even in thought, I felt a faint stab of irritation when someone started in about going back home. We still had ages yet!
With one week left, I chided myself for thinking that I ought to start packing. There was still so much left to do, and a week really wasn’t that short a time, after all…
Now, with just over twenty-four hours left, I stare around at my bare walls and empty closet. Goodbye presents have been exchanged with the flatmates, in addition to a week of fantastic dinners in honor of the imminent break-up of 10c Moat. I have triumphed in my wrestling match with my luggage, which now sits behind me, overstuffed and defeated. My plans for a week in Sydney have been finalized, paid for, and triple-checked. Yet I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that I will very soon be leaving all this behind, returning long enough to pick up a bag and head out again. That’s the reality, but it is not quite real to me yet.
I suppose it all seems so sudden; one moment I’m in late August, bored out of my skull because I’ve spent four solid weeks in Dunedin, and much to my surprise, calendars everywhere have turned to November, and my time here has dwindled to nothing. I think that’s what it is more than anything, surprise. It’s not sadness or reluctance, though those feelings are there in small measure. I have spent my time well here, and indeed, a growing part of me is excited about the next adventure. However, I think that tomorrow tends to look a long way away when you’re living in the moment, and anything further than that just a wisp of a dream.
Nevertheless, it’s time to go. “I will” has become “I have” in a lot of respects, but not so many that nothing is left to be done. The horror of self-complacency has faded to an ancient nightmare for me, and if nothing else, my study abroad journey has been worth every ounce of effort for that.
All that aside, I’m not disappearing from MindSay just yet, and I invite you to keep coming back. Although my final day has drawn nigh, I still have much I wish to share with you, including a full report on Australia and the stereotypically reflective re-entry posts, but also some additional adventures and insights that I haven’t yet had a chance to write about. Thank you all for your awe-inspiring support so far, and I will continue to do my best for as long as I’m around.
The Arcadia Farewell Dinner at Bell Pepper Blues. In black is Jane, Arcadia New Zealand’s program director, smiling as always, surrounded by her adoring posse, the Arcadia Otago group, or “Otago-possums,” as Jane likes to call us.
Adam and Jamie pose for a picture at the farewell dinner.
I dare you to say no to a dessert like this. I double-dog-dare you.
