Welcome to 2010!

It's hard to believe another year has passed. One year ago, I was winding down at work and getting ready to set out on a year of adventure. And now that is all coming to an end. 4 more sleeps and I will be on the plane home. And I am so excited.

I had a very emotional and tumultuous New Years Eve. The day started out alright by going to the zoo. They have a baby elephant which made my trip... so cute! But the closer the end of the year came, the more I struggled. I started wishing I was back home, but also upset that I want to sop travelling. Worried that I'll either hate being back home or I'll love it so much that I forget about travel. The uncertainty of the future is freaking me out. I have made it through most of the year without feeling homesick but it has hit me hard. I am exhausted and run down and missing my family.. especially at this time of the year. I really thought I was going to be alright. But I can see the end so I am starting to shut down and prepare myself for returning home. It was a rough end to the year... I just kept thinking of all the remarkable places I have seen, the amazing things I have done. And it all ends in a week!

Really, the only thing that made my day was the one thing I really wanted to see - New Years Eve Fireworks in Sydney Harbour. I was on a rooftop directly across from the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge off to the right. Perfect views of the fireworks throughout the harbour. And let me tell you, they were unbelievable!! Aussies really do love to make a show of the new year... and blow stuff up! So it was an interesting way to ring in 2010.

First task of the new year was to go to the airport early in the morning to meet a friend who was in transit over New Years. It was great to see Rachel again and spend time with her. Made me feel better. Then the rest of the day I just walked around the city, slept in the Botanic Gardens and relaxed.

Today, I went for a flight. A good friend of mine suggested I go on a flight over Sydney before I left so this morning, I went up in a C208 Cessna Caravan seaplane for a flight over the north beaches and the Sydney harbour. It was beautiful. Sydney looks the best from the air. It felt good to be doing something but now I am back to being tired and lazy. But I have to get ready, I am having a party in the Rocks tonight. Wanted a reason to celebrate the new year with the people I have met throughout the year. It will kind of be a last hurrah for me. I am actually excited. Should be a great evening. Got to run though.

Love, Lisa