Well, well, well. We did it!

I'd like to, once again, thank the academy for all their support through the making of this epic journey.

No, really. A big, enormous thank you to those friends of ours and family who went out of their way to be accommodating and for making time to see us on a very tight schedule. Thank you for the fresh flowers in our bedroom, for cooking our favorite meals, for putting meaning back in the every-day.

I am so thankful for Lloyd and how well he did; what an amazing travelling companion! We covered some miles and saw an awful lot of people in three weeks and he was a joy to be with every day. I love that he has reached an age where he and I can enjoy comfortable silences and then, at other times, discuss things or laugh.

I got to watch a football game with my dad! What a treat!

After three weeks, though, it was time to come home. We got very tired and little things started to wear thin. I think the turning point for me was when I actually started hating zippers. Yes, zippers. Sick to death of the things. Using them. Hearing them. Needing them. Think that's more commonly referred to as tired of living out of a bag.

What's the difference between a full flight and an extremely full flight? That's what I'd like to know.

I wonder how many other people walking through LAX are secretly hoping they'll see a movie star.

Going for a pee is very tricky when you have carry on bags on your back and a six year old boy in tow who no longer wants anything to do with the ladies room (it's understandable). I couldn't help but think I was constantly just a few minutes away from a UTI.

I left my wallet on the plane from Boston. Yikes! Got it back. Phew!

We left Lloyd's favorite stuffed animal since forever on the plane from LA (see photo). Yikes! Still hasn't turned up although I continue to call every other day hoping, hoping, hoping. :>(

Now we're home and settled once again into our lives here in Auckland.

I feel really really good about my place in this world. It seems as though my two countries have melded somewhat in my mind and they're going to get along fine, just fine. Every encounter with a friend or family member was like we'd seen each other just a week ago and that brings them nearer to me even now.

I love where I live. I love where I'm from (I am Rhode Island born and Rhode Island bred after all!). My irreplaceable friends from forever will always be that. My irreplaceable friends from a year and a half ago aren't going anywhere either. I was so at home there and I'm so at home here. Lucky, lucky me!

It's not so much a heart divided anymore... Just another testament to the fact that we've got very big hearts; just need to learn how to use them. Make the most of all that available space.

And so what that every time I make a turn my windshield gets a wipe at the same time? I can live with that for a while. I'll remember eventually that the indicator is on the other side...