Last few nights

The time reads 12:41am, and I am still up, packing and cleaning. It's Wednesday morning, and I am wide awake. It might be due to the coffee I had with Duriye late this afternoon. I have a little under 72 hours left in this beautiful city before I fly back home. Permanently.

What to say about this gorgeous city? It's been my home for two years, and now that I'm leaving, I wish I had more time. There's so much that I'll miss - foodie nights with the last supper gang of Andy, Jo and Gigi, talking inappropriately with Bronwyn, Duriye, Craig and Terry, the weather, the amazing food and coffee. So much has happened in everyone's lives since I've been here - Andy's married with a kid; Jackie and Joy entering and leaving my life as suddenly as they arrived; my relationship with Dad has strengthened since I moved away, surprisingly; Nhan becoming engaged; Mum taking her first holiday ever to QLD before backing it up with an overseas holiday

I leave behind some amazing friends I've made here, and who I know I'll be friends with for years to come. I've learned to appreciate the architecture of this city, the steep slopes of the city landscape, the breathtaking views I've taken for granted day in, day out. I'll miss waking up to see the sun rise every morning from my bedroom window, or watching the sun set from my balcony.

Some special memories I do take with me, and the feeling that accompanies them:

- Sitting by Darling Harbour til the wee hours of the morning with good company in the summer time, just talking and enjoying life. Darling Harbour at 2am is at it's most peaceful, and the feeling of just relaxing and watching time pass by for a few hours felt like heaven

- Discovering new cafes and bistros to eat for lunch or breakfast with Duriye around the inner west

- Bronwyn dropping by at the end of the day to say goodnight

- Terry's optimism of turning anything into a feel good story

- Discovering who the new lesbians are in the warehouse - they seem to come and go all the time, and it was always a guessing game

- Breaking bread with Bronwyn is probably one of the biggest parts of my day that I'll miss. The simple act of sharing a meal took on it's own significance. For one hour, all the pressures of work stopped, and we could socially just talk about life and nothing in between, drowning everything else out

This entire week feels bittersweet. I've grown to love this city, and it's become home. So it feels hard to leave this behind. I know when I land in Melbourne and am reunited with Yuki and the family that it'll be worth it. The warehouse crew are organising a bbq for me on Friday just before I leave. I feel special. I've been made to feel very special this week, and it makes it harder to let go. They feel like family, I've been included amongst everyone here (work & friends), and I feel so sad to leave.

The time now reads 1:12am. I'm off to enjoy the rest of the night. It's been a very good two years. I'm leaving this family behind, to be reunited with my original family.

xx Sydney