This will be my final entry, my last day here. It will also be the longest day of my life so far, for more than one reason. Firstly, because I've got to fly all the way back home, and I wont be bringing my brother with me. There is an odd and irrational guilt there, as if it was my responsibility to look out for him, to make sure he didn't get eaten by a crocodile, bit by a poisonous snake, stung by a deadly mosquito, or ... get left behind. It's irrational because he's more mature than me in some ways, having successfully searched the world over to find true love, with a goal of simplifying his life as much as possible to focus on spiritual things. He's taken a hard look at what is most important to him, and made a decision that is hard for some of us to face. Yet, if you agree or disagree with his decision, you must still admit that it takes alot of courage to carry such a decision out. I told him I was proud of him, and that I would miss him. Then, I was going to go on about how great Marnie is and how glad I was that he was so happy, but she was standing right there, and in an awkward moment of hesitation, decided not to embarrass her. Instead I just said stupidly that I'd see them both soon, and waved, decending the escalator towards the security checkout line. He'll be fine, I reassured myself. But will I be?

The other reason I say this will be the longest day of my life is quite literal, because October 29th will last 38 hours! That's 11 hours from midnight to the time I took off, plus 20 hours of flying, and then it will be another 7 hours from when I land in NY until midnight. In fact, I'll arrive in LA four hours before even take off from Brisbane.

Taking Me to the Airport	Marnie	Me and Marnie	M&M Saying Goodbye
''Be Good...''	Funny Looking Horsedog With Arms	Umm.. Err..	My Plane
Far Out. This Stuff Is Real.	Fluffy Clouds Over the Pacific	Sunrise At 30,000 Feet

Laying here, across four empty seats of the airplane, I think back on all the awsome things we did, and all the great people I've met who've made it all possible. I got to see some beautiful things that some Australians never get to see. I've been to Brisbane, seen the biggest sky and the most stars in the middle of the Hay Plains, saw the sun set on the water in Adalaide, stopped at every stop along the Great Ocean Road, walked along the tops of the Otway trees, shopped at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, and even pet a Kangaroo at the Australian Zoo. I'll have to save the rest for when I come back...

The End.

But, in case you wanted to know:

How many pictures did you take?
Well, I've actually taken 1,305 pictures, but only posted the 875 I thought were interesting enough to share.

Which is your favorite picture?
It's a tie between these five:
   02311 - Chasing Ibis
   13819 - Cliffs in Setting Sunlight
   21512 - Surfers Paradise from Southport
   21523 - Crashing Surf at Jetty's End
   28113 - This Looks Exactly Like One of the Postcards I Sent

There are 30 others in a tie for second place.

How many visitors came to the site?
I initially sent emails to 18 people, but got 42 submissions to the guestbook. There were 24 others reading along that I know of, who haven't submitted yet, for a total of 66. In addition, my mom has printed out every single picture, and all the pages, and has shown them to most of my family and congregation.

What do you miss the most back home?
The top ten things I miss about home, from the least to the most missed are:

   10. Bathrooms with toilets in them
   9. Television
   8. My car
   7. Italian food, and real NY pizza
   6. High-speed wireless internet
   5. My family, and my home congregation
   4. Air conditioning
   3. The cool NY climate this time of year
   2. My own bed
   1. My nephew, Diego, who learned to talk while I was away

What did you like the best about Australia?
This is a close tie between seeing Jehovah's beautiful creation along the Great Ocean Road, and experiencing the love in His organazation despite being halfway around the world. When strangers treat you like family, you begin to understand what christian love is all about.

What did you like the least?
The flies. Just ask Sarah, who got me a comemerative Australia tie-pin with a fly on it, just so that I'd never forget!

I collected my bags from the carousel, and weeled them over to the exit, expecting to wait outside for someone to pick me up. Cell phone in hand, I eyed all the limo drivers by the door, reading all of the signs with names that they hold up for weary passengers to find their rides. I'd always wondered what It'd be like to find my name on one of those cards. I picked up my phone to let them know I was ready, but before I could dial, saw my name being held on one of those signs! Drowsy from travel, it took me a few moments to process it. Then, I looked up, and it was my grandfather holding the card, welcoming me back! Mom pulled up the car, and in the back seat was my sister, and my 14 month old nephew, just waking up in his car seat. Drowsy from his travels, it took him a few moments and a yawn to realize it was me. Aparently, he missed me just as much, because he wouldn't let go of me the rest of the night, showing me all his new toys, one by one, and sharing all the new words he's learned to say. Watching him play happily with his new stuffed kangaroo, I thought, "That was fun, and I'm glad I went... but this is just slightly better..."