Two weeks from today I'll be on a 15.5 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg before the final leg to Gaborone, Botswana. It is my last night in my Astoria apartment. But today, Neo and I are sitting in my living room eating Korean food. I've cleared out the contents of my dresser and closet and found someone to take over my lease for the next 6-months. Tonight is the last night in my apartment.
These last few days of school were filled with many special surprises. Neo, a Fulbrighter from Maun, Botswana, just finished her stay here in the United States. She decided to stop by NYC before heading home in two weeks. She spent the day at school with me yesterday and sat on a geometry panel. She's also been helping me figure out what to put in those bags up there and making me laugh.
Yesterday at school, the girls from the athletics program threw me a surprise party, complete with this delicious carrot cake. Today at our annual Jingle Bell Sing competition, my team of teachers stood up in front of the whole school and wished me off safely.
And then I went back to my room, packed it up, and biked through the gorgeous 60-degree December rain back to Astoria. Let the journey begin.
