Au revoir mes amis, au revoir ...

So, I don't like to think of myself as a wimpy person. I like to think I can hold my own. For the most part, I'm pretty successful in this attempt ... until I have to say good bye to someone. I am absolutely TERRIBLE at goodbyes. I have moved a LOT over the last 10 years and almost anyone that I've met in these ten years, I've had to say good bye to at some point. They will vouch for me in saying that I SUCK at bidding adieu. I cry a lot and it gets messy.

My goodbyes have begun. And leavin' ain't easy.

I started this experience off by driving to Lethbridge, Alberta this past weekend. I did my first degree here at the U of L and let's keep in mind that I've already said good bye to my friends and family on NUMEROUS occasions. NUMEROUS. More like a plethora of occasions. I haven't even LIVED in Lethbridge for two years. I actually did pretty well in saying good bye to everyone and didn't get too teary eyed at all. Inside I'm thinking "Yay me! Well done!" About an hour later, I realized that I was PROBABLY too hung over from celebrating my 2nd cousin's 52nd birthday with about 52 shots of B-52's the night earlier to even emote any emotion. Dry well from dehydration. Mystery solved. Whatever. I still won that one.

I drive to Medicine Hat later that night and had supper with my auntie and my two little cousins. My auntie and I are super close - she's only 12 years older than me and used to treat me like a little sister. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her little girls ... they are incredibly precious! Needless to say, the 5 yr old gave me a hug and asked me not to leave and I had a meltdown. Poor child probably thought SHE made me cry ... she looked a little terrified. Needless to say I had an emotional trip home that night ... thank God for the lack of wildlife on the highway that night!

The day after that I drove to Regina to grab the last of my mail, get my hair done by my amazing friend Heidi-Wood and to have dinner with anyone who'd join me. I had a really fun day just takin' 'er easy, not worrying about work and getting primped. Went for supper and was happily surprised that 11 of my raddest friends from Regina had come out to wish me bon voyage! We had an interesting supper (rotten lemons and mayo topping on pizza?! yikes!) but an incredible time together ... I love how the majority of my friends can just come together and hang out and get along, even with having never met ... just shows how amazing they all are!
I did SO good at not getting weepy in Regina, too! Was extremely proud of myself ... until my cousin BK shed some tears and then it was Team Red Eyes once again.

I thought I had already said my goodbyes to my extended family at a weekend at the lake a few weeks back. I'm lucky that my extended family is rather close and I get to see my aunts, uncles, and cousins pretty frequently and we all like getting together and having a good time. Leaving the lake I had a little moment of tears thinking I may not see any of them for a year or two. I thought about not being home for Christmas and that hit me like a brick, too ... I always say I'm not coming home and it doesn't faze me but it doesn't make it easier. My mom just dropped the bomb on me last night that we're having everyone here this weekend for family supper. Don't get me wrong, I am SUPER pumped to see my family ... I just KNOW I'm going to be "that girl" you know ... the crying one that people point at. AWESOME.

The point of my blog is not to bore you (Too late!? I thought so ... ) but to let all of you who ARE close to me know that leaving you SUCKS! If I could pack you all up and take you with me, I totally would! I hope everyone knows how much I care about them and how hard it is to leave. I feel SUPER fortunate to have such incredible people in my life supporting my decision to go! I'm a lucky girl to feel so much love. OK OK I know ... I'm being cheesy. It's deff time for bed. G'nite kids. 7 more sleeps until my London life BEGINS!
xoxo M