Mother Earth's latest harmony was interrupted by an alarm bleating through my phone. There's a small comfort - it'll be the last time I'm awaken for work before my big move.
It's a big day, but it doesn't feel like one. The morning routine - getting out of bed, scurrying my way through breakfast before rushing my way out the door - is the standard one. The only real exception is I've not forgotten my keys, wallet or cellphone. It's a good day.
While catching a bus to work, I get a precious few minutes to help begin something I've needed to do for some time - to reminisce on my time in Auckland; to bring a significant chapter of my life to an end.
I let the brain reflect for the next 15 to 20 minutes. Instead of finding memories aligned to music, my mind takes me through a journey from when it all began on February 4, 2007.
Minutes go by, moments flash past the windows as my final stop on the journey, in both a literal and a metaphoric sense, looms. It doesn't take long for memories to return, for friends to star in another micro feature and to flick through chapters of victory and despair.
My time in Auckland started when I was 18, a fresh-faced kid who had a pretty good idea of what he wanted in life. It's crazy to think what has happened since.
A Bachelor of Communications, two stints as a full time sports reporter, a job as a reporter in the Cook Islands, 15 months at NewstalkZB and Radio Sport. And that has been just the professional life to date.
Many friends, few enemies, fewer girlfriends and no regrets. There have been times to work, times to play, times when work felt like play, and unfortunately when play felt like work. There were colleagues, peers, teammates, flatmates and family - all within this madness of a city with 1.5 million people.
My journey through Auckland life has been a mixed bag. From the defiant disdain upon my arrival in 2007 and 2008, to adoration and infatuation upon my return from Rarotonga in 2013. Each year holding different memories that were all reflected on over 30 minutes.
I arrive at work just like any other day. I get started and banter away with my team just like any other day. And then it hits me an hour before my leaving presentation. It'll be over soon.
We had enough time as an online team to reminisce before the wee presentation, and my emotional self came to the fore to the surprise of at least one radio host.
The rest of the remaining two and a half hours is a blur. Can't remember any of it. All I do recall is the feeling of a grey, near-muted mindset as people offered their hugs, well wishes and goodbyes. They are a great team, and my final night with the work team emphasised my adoration for the group of madmen I proudly got to call my colleagues for 15 months.
And so to my last night in Auckland, where a few people from the years tonight will gather to celebrate, reminisce and enjoy each other's company - many of whom probably don't know many of the others.
But for me that's all part of this adventurous life we get to live. As I tried to tell my colleagues on my last day, one thing in life that constantly fuels me is the evolution of character, and that for me comes through turning the uncomfortable into comfort. By owning the lemons, and turning them into lemonade.
I will miss the city; the bright lights, plentiful opportunities and quizzical characters that are scattered throughout it. But for now, it is the end of a hefty chapter.
I've never been a prolific reader, and I would often go back and skim through previous chapters to ensure my head was clued up with everything. That's a little similar to this, I guess. There will be times to reflect, to go back and 'skim read' through the numerous events I went through in my time here, but that's for the future.
Tomorrow morning won't be like the others. There won't be a bus ride to work, no lengthy walk to get the juices flowing. Instead, as the sun peaks through, I'll be on my way to Wellington, and eventually Dunedin, where a whole new story awaits.
So long Auckland. You've taught me to be open to change and to accept any opportunities that present themselves. Thank you for helping me find some incredible friends and family along the way.
And to those Auckland friends, family and anyone else inbetween, thank you for helping shape me. Please do stay in touch, and continue to build character.
Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.
Matiu
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