Friday to Friday - The Last Week

I have had this sick feeling in my stomach since we got home from Europe that our time in New York is nearly up. Really I've had it since I finished working at Greenacre but I had so many distractions in between. Freyja and Simon were booked to return to the UK on Saturday 18th Feb so we ticked off a few last things (more dumplings, an early morning film at Lincoln Square) and sent them on their way. We quickly returned to our old ways of couch-sitting, internet surfing and an unhealthy attachment to pyjamas. Apart from having one of my best friends by my side, Freyja's visit served another purpose - distracting me from the mounting list of things to do to finalise our affairs in NY. With an empty apartment those things reared up and served me a full plate of anxiety.

Number One - we have finally planned and booked our flight/accommodation for post-Salt Lake activities. We've decided (based on lack of money and masses of heavy luggage) to skip Las Vegas and fly direct from SLC to LA. For some bizarre reason the 30 minute flight from SLC to Vegas was only available in a 6 hour itinerary that sounded like no fun. We've booked a dorm room (yuk!) at The Banana Bungalow in LA which was recommended by a couple of friends.

Number Two - the cat must go back. The worst part of any foster experience is the return. Not only because Blanka had been an amazing companion but because the trek to the shelter is inhumanly long and torturous. Tuesday night - done.

Number Three - everything in our apartment must go. Luckily our Aussie pals Frans and Michelle put their hands up for the XBox, TV, AC and microwave AND they arranged for their current housemate to collect the stuff in his car (they're in Oz at the mo). That happened Tuesday night and we snuck in a few extra treats like a lamp and a TV table. We posted a flyer in the lobby advertising our couches and guitar and junk but only had one interested party who decided against any of it in the end. The sub-letters from January laid claim to the rice cooker, printer and various bedding and kitchen stuff (including the vegemite) which took a huge weight off our apartment and my shoulders. The rest was either donated to Goodwill, left under the stairs or thrown in the bin - with the exception of the unused sleds and guitar stand that went with Durell. Jason was conned into helping T carry both sofas down to the street where they were either nabbed by locals or taken by the garbage men.

The long list of other things to do includes canceling the internet, canceling the phones, canceling the bills, finishing our taxes, changing our forwarding address, cleaning, packing and saying goodbye :(