last day of work!

Today was my last day of work, and I was trying hard to keep it together.  Leaving Omaha was different; although we did a lot of 'lasts' at restuarants and favorite places in Omaha, we always knew that we would be coming back to it at some point.  Here, it feels like I might never see these things again.  It's been a struggle knowing that Evelyn probably won't even remember me, or that it will probably be a really long time before I see her amazing parents again.  As I made my final walk to their house this morning, I couldn't help but feel existential and reminiscent of all of the times I've had in this job.  The sky matched my mood.  Thick clouds, with the sun trying to break through, made for some spectacular views.

The day went by so quickly.  Evelyn slept for most of the morning (she's teething and not sleeping through the night), and in the afternoon we all (Kim, Evelyn, and I) went to the International Antarctic Center, which they had promised to take me to forever ago.  We witnessed an Antarctic storm simulation, where they provided coats and shoes for us and locked us in a room with insane wind and cold (Evelyn didn't last too long...it was so loud, but she was adorable bundled up), saw NZ little blue penguins during feeding time, and had fun playing on all of the snow and penguin exhibits.  Evelyn was so well behaved!  My favorite part of the whole trip was this tiny room with a sign that said PENGUINS AND CHILDREN ONLY above the three foot high door.  I put Evelyn inside, and broke the rule, following her in, to find penguin stuffed animals, books, and a movie playing.  She loves stuffed animals so absolutely snuggled right up to them.  One of the penguins was twice her size, and each time she would try to hug it, it would knock her over flat on her back.  The floor was thick foam, so she wasn't phased, and actually did it a few more times.  Asian tourists kept peeking in to take pictures, it was hilarious!  We stopped at the gift shop, Kim and I intent on getting Evelyn a stuffed penguin of her own, but instead of one, we ended up with five stuffed animals, and throngs of Asians and the store clerks cooing over how adorable she was...she's such a ham!

On the way home, we stopped for a break at the coffee shop, and then picked up Bret.  We headed back to Kim and Lance's and I made a huge Mexican feast.  They have been so accomodating to me and Bret, that I couldn't think of a better way to thank them than by sharing some of my favorite things.  Guacamole, pico de gallo, bean dip, homemade tortilla chips, my famous Mexican lasagna, and yummy margaritas completed our evening.  It was a wonderful night spent with the greatest of friends in Chch, whom I will truly miss!