June 6

Rain rain and more rain. Will it ever stop? This is the rainiest year that people, even old people, have ever seen. And it’s also cold! And New Zealand will be even colder! I’ve gotta find something warmer to wear. So this weather hasn’t been the greatest for doing lots of things, but we’ve done some fun things anyway that didn’t require going outside too much.

Friday was our final debrief. The ASC spent the whole day in our classroom while it poured buckets outside. We went over all the things we’d done, talked about what we’d learned, and what to expect when we get back home. We also had our ASC showcase and April and I played Amazing Grace on the violin and guitar. After class was over, we all went to a Thai restaurant for dinner.

On the way home, April and I rented The Castle from Blockbuster and watched it with Brian. The Castle is what Brian and a lot of other Australians describe as “really Aussie.” It was a hilarious movie from the 80s about a working class family who fights to keep their home on the edge of an airport when it is about to be claimed by the government. I accidentally left my debit card at Blockbuster and had to go back and get it in the morning, but despite some intense worry, no harm was done.

On Saturday Carrie’s homestay had us all over for a potluck barbecue. Almost everyone came and we played bananagrams. Next week the World Cup begins and the Socceroos are playing Germany. Sue’s church held another barbecue Saturday night and showed a video by Athletes in Action (I found that amusing) about some Christians on world cup teams. Afterwards, our household went over to Andrew and Marike’s to watch Rugby Union, the Wallabies v. the Fijians. I’m never going to enjoy American football (a.k.a. grid iron) again after I’ve seen rugby and AFL. The players don’t wear helmets or pads, play doesn’t stop unless there’s a penalty or the ball goes out of bounds and their jersey numbers actually mean something. Australians of all ages are very passionate about their sports.

There’s a lot of things I’d like to do this week before we leave, but as long as I go to Bondi Beach before I go home, I think I’ll be content not doing anything else. Seeing the amount of work I have to do and the time I have left, there won’t be much that I can plan on doing. We had meant to go into the city with some people last night, but going to Andrew and Marike’s proved to be much more enjoyable. In reality, it’s the people that I’ll miss most when I leave here, and spending time with them is my priority.

Today after church at Sue’s church, we spent the afternoon packing our stuff up, just to make sure it was all going to fit before we do our final souvenir shopping and drop off our old stuff at Salvo’s. I think it’s all going to fit just like it did on my way out here, which is a relief. Hopefully I won’t find too much I want to take back from New Zealand! Strangely, packing up my stuff again gives me this excited sense of adventure. The idea of travelling again has my spirits up as much as they can be in the circumstances of leaving.

I’m so excited to see New Zealand, which sounds like the most beautiful country in the world and the Maori culture we’re going to experience sounds amazing. And I’m excited to be home again and see my family and friends. But there is so much I’m leaving behind here.