June 10, 2011 is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life, because I was stuck in it for 36 hours (talk about Twilight Zone). Four flights and three hours of driving later I found myself laying in bed at home in Northeastern Pennsylvania about to close my eyes and drift off into dreamland, when suddenly a rush of oddity overwhelmed me; I’m not in New Zealand anymore. It was strange.

After spending almost a month in New Zealand I couldn’t help but feel weird being back in the United States. I felt like this for a few days, but the joy of being back in my own country eased my mind. Yes I was sick of living out of a suitcase, yes I missed my friends and family, but now I am missing a different family. It was sad when our group started splitting up in the air port, some left so suddenly that we didn’t have a chance to say our last goodbyes. It is amazing the type of connection you make with people through travelling and living together for such a short amount of time. Right, is a picture of nearly all of Penn State and VT together at St Arnaud.

Fortunately we are all connected through Facebook. Even before we traveled home there were talks of having a reunion party during the Rugby World Cup, which is being hosted by New Zealand. A great idea was also brought to light that Penn State and Virgina Tech should Skype during New Zealand matches so we could all watch it together. This is something that I know we are all looking forward to.

Besides the fact of missing my new friends, it is still good to be home. I am no longer scolded by locals for using the word ketchup instead of tomato sauce and there is no worry in confusing chips with french fries. Although one thing is for sure, Fergburger (found in Queenstown, NZ) will forever make the best hamburgers I have ever tasted. It is like we are two star crossed lovers torn at the seams…until we meet again Fergburger, until we meet again.