"True goodbyes are the ones never said or explained"

Well hello blog. It's been a while.

As most of you know, I'm preparing to move to Australia for a year to work as an au pair with a family in Brisbane. As a result, people have been calling me left and right begging for one last chance to bask in the glory of my presence. I'm fairly certain that everyone has experienced both happy and sad goodbyes in their lifetime, but being a seasoned world traveler such as myself, I have become an expert on the best and worst ways to bid adieu to my loved ones.

Top 5 Classic Ways to Say Goodbye

5. The Random Goodbye- When getting ready to leave for an extended period of time, it's only natural to make a prioritized list of the people you absolutely must see before you go. Generally these people are already aware of the fact that you are about to move across the world for 9 months as they are presumably close to you (or at least Facebook friends with you...I hope...). However, there are those people who are completely out of the loop about your imminent departure, and therefore unintentionally throw themselves onto the list of people who cannot survive another day without seeing before you go. This makes the goodbye slightly awkward in nature; for example, when said dinner, lunch, or playdate comes to an end and they suggest that you "Do it again sometime soon," your response is--"Well actually, I'm moving away forever, so we can't do it again anytime in the near future...but I had a great time!" I've found it's best to make a speedy exit afterward and leave them wondering if they heard you correctly.
4. The Movie Goodbye- An integral part of any tragic romance is the climactic farewell scene between two lovers. Parting words range from “I’ll never let go Jack” to “Here’s looking at you kid.” You should be well versed in any and all movie goodbyes, lest someone try to pass off cinematic genius as their own. For example, if you were to ask a friend how best to keep in touch with them while you’re gone and they respond, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn,” you should either A) run away in tears or B) embrace your inner Southern belle and respond, “After all, tomorrow is another day.” And then embrace your friend for being as big of a movie geek as you are.
3. The Dramatic Goodbye- Most common among close friends, parents, and ex/current boyfriends, this is the kind of goodbye that should come equipped with a box of Kleenex and a cocktail. The cocktail to steel your nerves and actually get on the plane after such an emotional farewell, and the Kleenex for when you spill your drink after being chased by airport security for attempting to bring an 8 oz. plus container of liquid on a plane. Naturally.
2. The Drunken Goodbye- What better way to send off a dear friend than to buy her a drink for every year you two have been pals? I feel a solid night of binge drinking is in order anytime someone leaves the country; not only does it make for good wholesome entertainment, but there’s something to be said for the intoxicated farewell. Feelings you never knew another person harbored suddenly come gushing out as the alcohol flows and by the end of the night, everyone has mended old wounds and rekindled friendships. That is until the hangover sets in and the photos wind up online, but with any luck, you’ll be thousands of miles away by then.
1. The Unspoken Goodbye- What's worse: boarding an airplane to a foreign country for 9 months in a fit of tears after saying everything or maintaining some semblance of control over your emotions and saying nothing? I can tell you this much, one involves a lot more dwelling and over-analyzing than the other...you be the judge.