…a brief glance…

I always knew that saying goodbye would be tough, that it would be heart and gut wrenching. Boy was I right?

This past week, not having work has been such a nice ‘PLEASURE’. Not having to wake and literally bribe myself to go to work, to the place that literally did my head in. In summation, this past week has been yet another ‘last things’ filled week. I had a nice girls night out on Monday with Amy and Ivy. Where we went to SheBu one last time to go to dinner at the ever famour ChopChop Noodle House, before heading over to SheBu Vue for a movie…note to movie goers out there, do not even attempt to watch ‘Friends with Money’, not even as a last resort. You’ll regret it, I tell ya you will.

Tuesday I got to hang out with one of the handful of favourite people have at work…though Em doesn’t actually work there anymore…but I digress. We met up at Notting Hill Tuesday afternoon just to hang. Which was quite fun. I love hanging out with Em, she’s so funny. When the three of us (Em, Craig & yours truly) get together, chaos would be one of the words to describe us. After a casual ‘see ya soon’ we parted ways and I made my way to another All Girl Dinner with my Buds Ashe, Iz and Maz. We ended up at Giraffe Marylebone. It was a last group dinner before Ashe headed for Rwanda.

Wednesday I was blessed enough to have lunch with not only Ma Stew but also Pa Stew. I so love hanging out with those two. They totally kill the inner cynic in me when it comes to relationships. One day when I grow up… hehe! Wednesday evening Sherrod came over and hung out with me as I babysat for Noah (the cutest baby ever!). Amusingly enough, I watched yet another boy fall at Sherrod’s feet. Quite literally too. Noah just adored her. He kept crawling all over her and sharing his toys. It was rather cute.

I am thoroughly enjoying being here in the Lin Household. I love the talks I get to have with Gloria. Getting the chance to play with Noah. It’s so cool that he recognizes me more and more. I love coming home and chatting to Gloria and Frank about the day that’s passed. It’s just nice.

Thursday I paid my last homage to HarperCollins. I had lunch with Nena and Gunjan, Jacker’s joined us a little while later. I hung out at the place for quite awhile…sad I know, but it was a lot more fun knowing that I didn’t habe anyone watching and questioning my every move. I got to say goodbye to the few I wanted to say goodbye to. Afterwards I headed over to Costa to kill time before going to Sulgrave Road to help Aimee with set up for Connect. Connect, was a little sad, but…

I left Connect early to head on over to Ashe’s as I was spending the night so that we can travel to the airport together very EARLY the next day. After all the planning of her taking me to the airport, I end up taking her as she heads over to Rwanda on a Missions trip with church for Hope Rwanda. Praying that she remains safe. Ashe and I literally did not sleep that night. We stayed up all night talking and watching Dawsons Creek, throw in Ice cream, and it was like our usual sleep overs.

Friday morning we headed for the airport, both falling asleep on our feet due to tiredness. After her checking in we hung for a little while before having to say our dreaded goodbyes. Due to our tiredness and lack of energy, the flood of tears came in spurts, and though words were few, the heavy sighs and silence spoke volumes. Can’t wait till Parsons Green Roomie!

After the emotional goodbye I just wanted to go back to Marble Arch and pass out, but due to my lack of brain activity there was a whole key thing that prevented that thought till an hour later. To which when I got in, I fussed around instead of napping. Soon it was time to meet Deano for Mamma Mia.

Mamma Mia ROCKED. I loved it. Dean did too, which made it even more cool. More than anything, it was great to have the opportunity to hang out with Dean and just really talk, which we never really get to do at Church or even Connect. Though the Musical was great, my favourite part was just hanging out with one of my buds. After Mamma Mia we met up with the Kel-ster and headed over to Covent Garden…I love that place. Had dinner at Firestone where they had the best pizza. Then the three of us walked back to Leicester Square for Starbucks for a little while before parting ways.

Saturday was reserved for Sher. I met up with Sher and Justin at Canary Wharf for lunch and a movie. We ended up at Wetherspoons, and watched ‘Fearless’ which turned out to be a really good movie. After the movie, Justin went off to do his own thing while Sher and I headed for Hyde Park to soak in the afternoon sun and enjoy the movie seeping out from the Music Festival thing. We soaked for awhile before heading back to F & G’s to grab a picnic blanket and pick up food at Sainsbury. Upon our return we scoped out places where you can hear the music really well…couple of hours later we were chilled on the picnic rug listening to James Blunt singing ‘Goodbye my Lover…’ Twas a good day with Sher. I shall miss her!

Sunday…today…words can’t even begin to form nor express what I felt today…not to mention the exhaustion I feel as a result of today. Too many people to say goodbye to. Too sad. Crystal made me cry, and that was always going to be a given, but it wasn’t until we were standing in front of church saying goodbye, that it hit me…I wasn’t going to see her, Jeremy, Aimee, anyone…for a long time. Though it wasn’t goodbye, it certainly felt very close to it. I also never realised just how much I was going to miss everyone. Especially the one I was hugging at the time…yep Crystal. I can’t describe it, the easiest way to describe the enormity of the situation was when she was hugging me goodbye, I felt like I was hugging my sister goodbye. The closest I ever felt to that moment was when I hugged my sister goodbye before jumping on the plane to come here. So Crystal and Jeremy…that pretty much sums it up. Thank you for making me family these last few months. It’s been an honour to be a part of it. Love you guys!

I also got to say goodbye to some of my kids and it was mucho sad. It’s hard to believe that I won’t see them grow up, and when they do get bigger, they’re not really going to remember me…but it certainly has been an honour serving at Kids Church and in the Family Room, getting to know the kids and families. All of whom I shall miss.

The girls and I had late lunch, early dinner at Busaba, one last time. As always it was great to hang out with the Ate’s.

After the service, a few of us ended up at Starbucks and I am thankful, as I got the chance to say goodbye to a few of my Connect-er’s properly. Lil’ Brad, Alex, Ivy, Buster, English Mel, and a few others too. Which was sad, but necessary. I saw almost everyone from Connect today, with the exception of Deano, so hopefully I can catch him before I go.

Heading back home I felt emotionaly spent, and over tired. Hence it is 2:25am and here I am blogging in between eating cereal. I should really go to sleep seeing as I have a full day tomorrow. When I got in Glo was awake so we got to chat for awhile. I love our talks.