An almost Australian goodbye

Well its 3:00am on Saturday morning and I have just finished packing for the third time...this time I have made an itemized list for each box/bag that I have.  Probably my favorite things to detail on my list:

1 - cane
1 - wonder woman costume
1- pair of suspenders
1 - cape
1 - wet suite
1 - tutu

It just reminds me of all the great times that I have had.

This past week has been the absolute most stressful week of my life.  It finally dawned on me that I am leaving in 8 weeks, I'm traveling for two months (of which I had nothing confirmed and no flights booked) and at some point I would have to start working agin (of which I had no idea what I would be doing and where).

Well I can't say that much has changed.   I do have my travels from 24 September to 1 November booked and confirmed which is a huge relief.  But I still have no idea and no confirmation of what I'll be doing and where I'll be working when I get back - of course I have my "what Hillary wants to do" idea but since I'm not in control of everything I can't make the final determination (which sucks).  I must leave that up to the Gods with the influence of my recommendations, my history and me in general.  Hopefully it all goes the way I think it should.

So at this point I must look around and start to say goodbye.  As I'm one who hates to say goodbye this is extremely hard for me, so I try to not do it - I try to make everything a bit closer to me so I don't forget - so they won't forget.  I just want to remember everything and I want to be remembered by others.  Who knows if I have made an impression on anyone - who will ever tell you.  But I know that everyone has made an impression on me.  I came here as Hillary and I will leave as Hillary, but I will never be the same.  There hasn't been one person that I have met, danced with, worked with, talked with, drank with, or sat by who hasn't changed me.

I understand that when I go home I will be a different person and that everyone back "home" will be different than when I left in 2009 - and I wouldn't want it any other way.    Life is boring if you stay the same and the best part of it is when you realize how everything around you is changing and making you a different person.

At this point all I can do is thank you.  Thank you for letting me be Hillary - how ever crazy you think I am and for letting me into your life.  I have had an amazing time.