Dear Mom… Remember when you made me write that report? The one where I got to choose any country in the world I wanted to study and you'd create an entire semester's work of curriculum on it? And I chose Australia? Remember? Of course you do. You always remember. In fact, I'm pretty sure you you saved it, complete in its 1989 glory. Being the typical hippie homeschooler you were, you made me stand in front of the family after dinner one night and I presented AUSTRALIA : WHY I LOVE IT. By Jasmine.

I'll never forget the look on dad's face–sweaty, proud, content–as I showed my hand-colored maps of the Great Barrier Reef and pages of koalas and kangaroos. You can also call them Roos, Dad. The furniture was mismatched and worn, the broken antennae lay on its side for better reception on channel 4, and mom's wallpaper covered just two walls. But, Mom, weren't we so happy?

I told you and Dad that one day I'd make it to Australia. I'm not quite sure my heart I fully believed it. I was a skeptical kid, wasn't I? Well, I'm proud to say I've made it. From our small house to the grandeur of The Sydney Opera House. I've finally made it. And I just wanted to write an open letter to thank you. For the sacrifices. The tears. The unknown. Thank you for pushing me to think big, dream bigger, and color within the lines.

Oh, and yes, we used a self-timer like the true tourists we were…ahem, are. Don't hate.