Last Day in Canada

 Goodbye semi-desert hometown and hello new opportunities.

In my opinion, leaving always seems to be full of a whole lot of unnecessary “lasts” all at one time, for example:

My last day at work - I may not be a Boostista any longer but to my fellow Smoothie Artists in the Kamloops Booster Juice, it’s been real.

My last drive in my car – goodbye Marcus the MDX, you will be missed dearly, but mom, dad, and Taylor will treat you to more car washes than I ever did.

My last Rotary Daybreak meeting – the 6 45 AM meetings may have been a struggle some days, but you Daybreakers never failed to make Fridays my favorite day of the week. Thank you for all the laughs and of course, sponsoring me on this amazing adventure.

My last day in Canada – this day consisted of laying on the favourite couch in our house until the very last possible second because after all, it was my last chance. The last thing I did at home was make sure I had packed everything on my list; eighth time’s a charm, right? I then proceeded to have Tim Horton’s breakfast, because, again, it was my last chance. Finally, Mamma Shan, Papa Scotty, and myself hit the wide-open road.

In conclusion, car rides, airport food, and goodbyes summarizes my day, except for one insightful encounter.

As I was half asleep on the airplane, next to wedding planner Bridgette and travelling Marchio, my iPod proudly played “Just Around the RIverbend” from Pocahontas, causing me to realize the huge sign that Walt Disney was sending to me.

The song’s entire theme is taking chances – my research was inconclusive, but I have evidence to believe that Mr. Disney was an exchange student too.

In my nighttime haze I decided my favorite line from the song was “What I love most about rivers is, you can’t step in the same river twice, because the water’s always changing, always flowing.”  Kind of like people, we’re all growing and changing through our experiences. Especially exchange students. *feeling very insightful*

I woke up from my “peaceful” slumber ready for a lot more “firsts” and a lot less “lasts”.

Although being wedged between strangers and walking through metal detectors definitely has it’s perks, I’m glad the traveling is over, for now. I am also glad that I am surrounded by other exchange students who are experiencing the same feelings I am right now: excitement, excitement, excitement.

Näkemiin Kamloops, hei mahdollisuuksia.
Goodbye Kamloops, hello opportunities. 

Mackie