Friday is my last day of school in New Zealand and to be honest I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m not going to lie, I’ve made much better friends here than I would have expected.
Since I’ve been little, my Mom has always been telling me about when she went to Mexico for a summer and met one of her really good friends, Lucy. She and Lucy are still super close to this day after around 20 years. She had always said “You never know who’s out there until you go find them,” and she is so right.
When I came here, I had hoped to travel, try some new foods, maybe meet some nice people, and experience life on the other side of the world. That expectation was ridiculously exceeded very quickly. I did all those things, and I ended up with so much more than I ever had imagined.
I have had a number of really awesome friends at home since Kindergarten when I started at Blessed Sacrament, so to be honest, I didn’t really think I needed any more friends.
But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year, is how important it is to be willing to make new friends, and what you can learn from others, especially those on the other side of the world. For example, my friends here have taught me how to jet ski, how to play netball and a number of other Kiwi sports. Also how to sing and dance in Maori (like the haka), and most importantly, that friendship is universal. We all laugh at the same jokes, and cry over the same movies, we get stuck in riptides together, and we play practical jokes on each other (they even managed to kidnap me last weekend so that I wouldn’t go home).
More than anything though, I have learned how it felt to be the new kid in school, and how grateful you feel when someone else cares enough to want to get to know you, or to even say hello to you.
So as I’m about to have my last day of school, I’m realizing how much I am going to miss my new friends, even while I am so excited to see my old friends again soon. I have gained so much more this year than I ever expected, more than just cool travel experiences, I have gained some long lasting friendships for many years to come.
From here, I end with a quote from my good friend Winnie the Pooh…
“Goodbye..?
Oh no, please. Can’t we go back to page one and do it all over again?”
— Winnie the Pooh
Chloe Irwin
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Chloé, that was beautiful! I remember from my childhood the song,”make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold”
Looks like you’ve got some precious treasures. Xo
I totally remember learning that song in girl scouts. Then it goes A circle is round it has no end,that’s how long I will be your friend. 🙂
Can’t wait to see you guys!
-Chloe
This is probably my favorite of any of the blogs you’ve posted. I’m so proud of you! I have a feeling some of these girls will be your close friends forever.
I can’t wait to see you at the end of July. I love you!
Thanks Kakki! I’m totally looking forward to seeing you guys!
-Chloe
Oh! Chlo, j’ai pleuré en lisant ce que tu viens d’écrire ! Tu sais n’est-ce pas que tu reverras tes amies ? Qu’en gardant ton coeur et ton esprit ouverts, tu rencontreras d’autres gens extraordinaires que tu ne connais pas encore aujourd’hui. Eux aussi deviendront tes meilleurs ami (e)s mais pour faire leur connaissance il faut que tu fasses d’autres voyages, découvres d’autres coins du monde (ou tout simplement que tu traverses la rue lorsque tu seras à Burlington Street).
Cette année en Nouvelle Zélande aura été une année fabuleuse pour vous cinq et vous allez revenir riches de tout ce que vous avez vécu mais d’autres aventures t’attendent (ET nous aussi !) alors, ne sois pas trop triste et dis à tes amies que “ce n’est qu’un aurevoir”, je suis certaine que vous vous reverrez.
Je t’aime très fort.
Merci Mamie!
-Chloé
OMG! This is amazing, what an experience Chloe! I know you will value it for the rest of your life. Fred/Jesse, you must be SO proud of your amazing kids and the love and compassion Chloe shows through this post.
I totally agree! It was super fun/cool!
-Chloe
Chloe,
I’m touched by your comments. I only wish many adults could have this insight and learn from your insight 🙂
Hi Mrs. Rolle! Thanks so much for reading my blog!
-Chloe
Beautifully written Chloe! And a most excellent quote to end. Looking forward to seeing you back in DC and on the soccer field.
xo
Mrs Krantz