Today was the day in which I woke up the latest. I was feeling really exhausted from the day prior, so it made sense. Everyone woke up really late. Dustin waking up and getting up made me wake up. Also, the smell of food did the trick.
The horrible thought of leaving finally hit hard today. it wasn't a good feeling, because I know how fast we became the Green Wood Ducks group, and now we'd have to disperse to all over the country. After breakfast, we did some group vision writing and how we'd work to stay connected. Brittany made the facebook group, we'd do a traveling journal, and send letters, facebook, and call each other! I'm already excited for Brittany coming to California.
Then, we did a few things. We did evaluations, and then we walked outside to play Journey for Bongo. We came back inside for our graduation. We were presented with a huge Break Away poster for the Ballroom. We all got to sign it.
Devin gave an inspirational speech and almost made everyone tear up and cry. Then, he revealed a picture of a bee/duck/dolphin that united all the groups. Then, Vanessa gave a speech about the Ripple Effect. Then, site leaders called, then groups for some certificates, shirts, and prizes. We got the new Break Away t-shirt, a Hands on Gulf Coast t-shirt, and I got chocolate animal crackers.
Then, a group poem was read about everyone. Oh, everyone's favorite memory was read. They read mind about me embarrassing myself in Two Truths and a Lie. While another was that when Brittany and Jack had their laughing fits and Jack said he was about to Pee in his pants. Oh, gosh people! Anyway, the graduation was over before we knew it, and everyone was leaving!
It was so sad! Then, the site leaders and staff went to the Vietnamese part of Biloxi to get Vietnamese sandwiches and Boba! It was foreign and new to everyone except me.
Kari had to leave with Jillian. Kelly took Ashley Smith and Hall back to Hands On while Sam, Crystal, Jenny, and I stayed behind. We talked, mostly about me and California.
Then, Kelly came back to get us. I hung out with Erica, Kyle, and Jenny, as we saw Lisa leave with Taler, Dustin, Crystal, Randon, Ashley Smith and Hall, Meghan and... that's it I believe. I gave everyone hugs. I almost cried again! It's so hard to leave them! I mentioned my plans to Dustin about going to New York because I want to go to New York, and also to visit David Lai who is going to Cornell, where Ithaca College is. I also really want to road trip!
Well, everyone left. Eventually, I packed all my stuff. Then, the moment came. We all would have to leave Hands On! We gave hugs to Sam and Crystal. Then, we waved goodbye to Jill.
We reached the airport and Taler came out to tell Kyle that her flight, and everyone else's was delayed. We went through ticketing, checked bags, and security in about 10 minutes. Then, we met up with the Ashleys, Dustin, Meghan, Randon, Taler, Crystal, and Lisa (who was leaving... we have her hugs before she was off.).
Kyle switched his flight to a earlier flight to everyone else's flight. Then, it was time. Everyone left Erica and I. We said bye like 100 times. It was so hard to say bye to these amazing people! I nearly cried as finally, Randon was the last to board. Erica and I didn't even leave the gate until they completely pulled away from the gate.
Dang! Emotional experience! Ahh! After that, we boarded our plane to Houston, Texas, and now I'm waiting at my gate to leave to LAX. I'll talk about the experience as a whole as soon as I can rest from writing. Maybe I'll do this on the plane, but I know there's so much to process. My emotions are running high. This was such a physical and new emotional experience I'll probably never forget.
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