11 more sleeps to go!

It dawned on me last Friday that I only had two more weeks to experience as much as I can. 14 days and a bit of change to pack in as much time with the people I love most here and to squeeze out every insight gleamed through the LA lens as I can. Now with one more Friday under the belt I'm feeling the pressure of time running out.

I was in San Diego last Thursday and Friday to hang with Andy and Russ for R & R. Low key adventure but quality times. The city is feels ghost-townish during the day, but has surprisingly good shopping and great night life. Plus the bonus of being able to walk the entertainment area.

I have mentioned before that I do really want to come home, but leaving is going to be hard. Not only having to say goodbyes to people with no certainty around when we will meet again but also with the swelling desire to hold on to all that I have learned and to all the I have become while being here. This time has been it; living the dream.

One thing that will kill me to leave is my Mosaic+UCLA team. With key leadership from Russell Murphey, we have waited 8 months to be in the position we are in now. We are starting two exciting new things which if successful will create something never achieved before at UCLA - a thriving Mosaic presence. The two things we are doing are targeting freshman and current Mosaic faithful to grow a new core group defined by a high standard of participation; and the second thing being a key student leadership team made up leaders of groups like the Gay Alliance, the Feminist Group, an Anti-War group, Young Democrats, Young Republicans, Stock Trading group, Artists Alliance and many more. The intention of this venture is to change or challenge the life trajectory which these Student leaders have set for themselves by shaping the way the see themselves and their potential to impact and change the world 10 years from now. We have just begun what will be a risky yet great climb of a mountain of an opportunity.

As stated - I'm very gutted not to be around for these things.

But I will be living this adventure vicariously so I'll keep you posted. My view on returning home is wide open. I have not inquired about any potential jobs or even painted a picture of what life will look like once settled back in New Zealand other the attitude and intention by which I now want to live. I started this journey with the phrase "get busy living, or get busy dying", and I feel that I have just begun to see a glimpse of how awesome life can be when you choose to really live.