Day 89: Mon 9 March GOING HOME

Today was pretty stressful.
I really don't like leaving to go to airports.

Everything went well though, and Train and I got to the airport in very good time- with about 2 hours to spare. Had a bit of breakfast there and then said goodbye to Train before heading through into the departure lounge bit.

The flights didn't seem quite as long on the way back as they did coming over to America, which was nice. I couldn't manage to get the internet to work in any of the airports, so I sat and played sims 2 deluxe for about 6 hours in LAX. ^^;
I also managed an awkward sort of goodbye phone call to Tim. My phone ended up cutting out though :(

It was nice getting back home again and seeing my family and things, mum is still on a biology camp until Friday evening, so I don't get to see her til then, but I've managed to catch up with almost everyone else which has been nice.

I've made vague plans for the next 10 years of my life, as well, which is pretty fun. I'm going to keep them under wraps for a bit, but I'll tell you that I am intending to go to uni, and polytech within the next couple, and holidays to Japan, going on a cruise and heading back to America are on the agenda as well. Australia not so much, but we'll see how time and money and things are working out later on in the year.

This is going to be the final entry to this blog.
It's been a fun 3 months and no doubt the next time will be even better.

Thank you all for keeping up with my blog and leaving comments when you have, it's been nice to keep in touch with everyone, and to bring me back to reality at times.

Take care, and until next time.

- Rachel

Day 88: Sun 8 March

My goodness.

So my trip to America is coming to a close.
It's been a wonderful time, and I wish I could stay here longer and get a job or something.

St Louis is a wonderful place to live, it seemed just like home after the first week.
South city is a mixed sort of place, we live in a pretty decent part of it which is close to public transport, a bunch of super cool shops and things, and a number of nice places to eat.

Everyone here has been so friendly to me, the bus drivers even say "you're welcome" and smile at you when you say thank you as you get off the bus! All my friends who I've made here are just lovely. I've never met a nicer eclectic mix of people in my life.

I've had a number of exciting adventures over here in America, and I'm quite sad that I don't have the chance to have any more before I go home again. With everything that has happend over the course of these past 3 months, I feel like I've learned a great deal about things, and grown up as a person. Also managed to change the way I see the world, and my outlook on life in general- I'm young, life is short- we have to make the most of it while we can still freely do so. I'm not in debt, don't have any long-term responsibilities and am still able to get about places quickly and easily without my body just giving up on me; I'm at the perfect stage in my life to explore and discover what the rest of the world has to offer me. Meeting all my new friends here has been interesting too, I really do like the fact that no matter where you go, everyone is pretty much the same- we all have the same day-to-day problems, look for the same things in new friends/partners/whatever and you can find a lot of common ground with even an absolute stranger, it's just a matter of talking and asking the right questions until something comes up that you can relate to.

I've also come to realise why Kale is so smart in the fact that he doesn't lend money to friends. Lending money is an awful idea, and from now on in life, no-one is getting a cent from me :/
Or, another way to think about it perhaps, is never lend money with the expectation of getting it back again, because chances are you wont >>;

Anyway, on a lighter note: St Louis is a wonderful place and I'll definitely be coming back when on my return to the states within the next few years. Next time I hope to get a working visa and be able to find a job to help keep my living expenses under wraps. Next time I'll also go to New York. I'm gutted that I couldn't afford to go this time, but now I've got a penpal who lives there and I'll have a free place to stay if/when I go there. His name is Tim, and he's really friendly. Here's a picture of him!

Day 87: Sat 7 March

Today I woke up around 11am. I ended up going out later in the afternoon to Hampton Plaza to get some money out and buy Emily a birthday present :)

We went out for dessert with the 5's at 10pm

I've managed to get Sims 2 Deluxe to work on my laptop without a cd :DD

In other news, I now have a pen pal who lives in New York, and goes to college in Massachusetts! His name is Tim, he's very nice and friendly.

Day 86: Fri 6 March GOING AWAY PARTY

My going away party was wonderful!
I think it's the best party I've ever hosted.

It started off kind of awkwardly, and I was sure it was going to be a Disaster! like on the sims 2 when I try and throw my sims parties >>;; but everything turned out splendidly :D

I went to bed at 4:40am on Thursday night and my Friday started off when I woke up at 8:30am to go to Goodwill to find a suitcase. Did all that and ended up getting a lovely smallish cherry red leather(?) suitcase there for $8 US.

Got home again at 1pm and Tassels (Mike) came over to visit and say goodbye and things. He wasn't able to make it to the party that night because he had to leave tomorrow morning at like, 3am as he was going on holiday.

Peach/Ben came over at about half past six and we just really hung out for awhile and waited for people to arrive. (The party wasn't meant to start til 9).

Nate and his friend Danielle came over at 8pm ish and we talked and hung out as well. They had to leave early, but it was alright, it was nice seeing them again.

People started trickling in at some point after 9pm and our nextdoor neighbours brought over some ice and alcohol for us. They didn't stay because Mr 5 was feeling sick but we're going to visit them later.

Sadie and Ted arrived, and so did Tyler. Sadie and Ted could only stay for an hour or so, because they had another party to attend. Alex and Amanda and Andrew arrived, as did Booker and B, and Hannah, Kyle and Liz and Hagrid as well.

B brought amazing food that she'd made- these little cinnamon strusle cupcake things and also brought tiramisu, which was to die for :D

We had a ton of fun, ended up playing charades for awhile, and smashed something on the concrete in the backyard. I think it was a light cover thingy. We dropped it off the second story balcony. I can't remember what time everyone left, they all left at different stages. Ben and Tyler ended up staying the longest and going home at like 6:30am.

I had a great time :) here are some photos.
Click
HERE and it'll take you to the album.

That picture above is of my friend Amanda and me :)

Day 85: Thurs 5 March

Today Train and I played videogames next door at the 5's apartment and waited for their package.
It came at 4:45pm.

After that, Train baked 2 cakes and I tidied up all my stuff and deflated the big air mattress. I'm sleeping on the couch tonight.

My going away party is tomorrow night, it should be fun :D

Day 84: Weds 4 March

Drat, I forgot to update my blog again.
This is becoming rather bothersome, me forgetting, not the blogging.

Today it was a nice day (about 16C or something) so I headed out to try and do the things that didn't work so well yesterday. I went to the bank, got $30 out, bought CJ his pop-tarts and a ton of peanut butter cups and ate an apple for lunch. It was a rather delicious one. I found something that I wanted to get Emily for her birthday, but I didn't have enough money with me at the time, so I might get it tomorrow.

After that, went back to the apartment and dropped things off before heading out again to catch the same bus (#11) but in the opposite direction this time, to look for a cheap secondhand bag/suitcase to bring extra stuff home in. I'm allowed two checked bags for free, so I may as well make the most of it.

Met up with my friend Peach (Ben) at a cafe called the Mississippi Mudhouse and had a coffee etc with him before getting a ride with him to the salvation army thrift store to look for a bag. I found one that might be okay, for $1.50, but I'd rather get a different one. I'm going to check out one more thrift store and then go back to the salvos and get that one if I can't find a different one. I ended up buying the coolest mug in the world, though, for 69c. It's got a picture of a cat flying over a bunch of tall buildings, and wearing a red scarf :DD It's really neat.

Went next door to Apop after that, the record store that a few of Peach's friends own, and looked at a few things there/ talked to people etc. My friend Jeremy is meant to be playing a show tomorrow night, which I might go to as well. I think it's another noise one. I think I'll go just to see if all noise music sounds the same or if some of it is different. I'll keep you informed.

When I got home, Train and I headed out to Aldi's to buy essentials; bread, milk, eggs, macaroni etc etc

After that, we went over to the 5's and watched the movie The 5th Element.

I've decided it's my new favourite. :)

Tomorrow we are looking after the 5's apartment and waiting for a package for them while they're at work, then going urban exploring with Peach and I might be going to that show after. Fun fun fun.
Nice weather for tomorrow, too.

Day 83: Tues 3 March

Today Train and I went to the bank for him to deposit some money. I was meant to get out $20 that CJ sent me to buy candy and pop-tarts for him, but I was clever enough to leave my wallet at home >>;

Other than that, we went to IHOP (International House Of Pancakes) and had lunch. It was pretty tasty.

Bussed home again and couldn't be bothered heading back to the bank so it can wait for another day.

At 7pm we went to the 5's and watched The Departed with them and their friend Chris.

That's pretty much been my day. Tomorrow I have to start tidying up so people can come around on Friday for my going away party. I hope some people turn up :/ At any rate there will be me and Train, Kyle, Liz, Hannah, Travis and Mr & Miss 5, and Peach. Hopefully a few others turn up too. It should be fun let's hope.