SO THIS IS HOW IT FEELS LIKE, TO BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE THE RIGHT TIME.

Long time no see... English this time so take it or break it. I feel extremely guilty for not writing, mostly because of the fact that I'm living my last days in Australia, less than 50 days left.... and yet I haven't recorded these last and most important memories anywhere. I can't believe how little time I have left... And I can't believe that I made it through. Before coming to Australia I thought that a year would be a long time, but now that it's almost over I can see how time flies. 

Looking back I realise how exciting, amazing and exhausting but so rewarding my year has been. I've been lost and lonely, tossed around and confused, like I didn't belong anywhere. I have found my place and created a whole new life, found my home and after all that I have also been loved and cared for. As much as I have loved and enjoyed this year, after all I've learnt during this time, I don't think I'd be able to do it again. An exchange student year is an experience that everyone should try (and they say if every person on this planet would experience it, there would be no wars) but for me one time is enough. Not that it would stop my eager to travel and live abroad though. World is my home but we will always know where we come from.

I was talking to my (half Japanese) friend the other day and he said the way I act is really different and Finnish in a way. I still don't quite know what that means, to act Finnish, and I guess I never will. I'm proud of that though, it's part of who I am and I'll fight for it. 

It's a funny feeling I have now. My flight has been booked and the returning back home is closer than I can imagine. I feel so excited, that I could almost jump on the plane right now right here. But on the other hand, I don't think I'll ever be ready to leave. I could give everything I have to be able to hug my parents, my siblings, my friends and my relatives right here right now, but at the same time I could give the same to stay next to my family, friends and all the people I love here. In a way I can't wait to get back to normal, but I can't imagine letting go of what I have now. 

I will miss Australia more than I can even think of. I will miss going to karaoke like last weekend with my loved ones. How we were so shy to sing at first, but after a while we just couldn't stop singing at all. 

I will miss Australian parties and events. How they're always so organised and so much more fun than parties in Finland. (You don't need alcohol to have an amazing time with your friends.) I will miss dinners and charities, and how everyone can truly be excited about theme parties (like the onesie party I'm having). How people in Australia like to act instead of thinking.

I will miss long drives to the next town. I could spend hours just going to the city nearest to Cairns. And I could spend less than an hour to go on a holiday, to a paradise, just for fun.

I will miss the weather. How unpredictable it is. Right now it should be bright, warm and sunny like it always is in the winter, but instead the rain is bucketing down like never before. I feel cold when I should feel warm. We wear jackets when we should wear bikinis.

I will miss happy people. How everyone is always so nice to each other, no matter what happens. Yesterday morning I got a phone call but I missed it. When I called back to see who it was, it was a stranger that had accidentally typed the wrong number. We had the nicest chat I've ever had from a wrong number. And he even wished me a good day at the end. 

But for now I decided to feel grateful that I am in the right place the right time.

xoxo Sara

(Third part of safari coming soon I promise!)