Taking a little trip down memory lane to my first blog post ever (who knew back then that I would eventually becoming a blogging addict!) and I remember telling you all a little story. It was about going out to dinner and not wanting to go to bed when I got home because it was almost tomorrow and tomorrow would be the day before I embarked on my 4 month European adventure. Well folks, I hate to say it but once again, it's almost tomorrow. Tonight I have and American history exam and that will mark the end of the studying part of this study abroad experience (Yes, I took American history in Europe...go figure! And I have to say I much preferred the abroad part of study abroad than the study part!). Now I've had my fair share of ups and downs over the last 125 days but in the end there is not a doubt in my mind that the good outweighs the bad and that I would relive this entire experience over again.The friends that I have made here are great and have taught me things not only about life but about myself and I'm lucky to have gotten to know them!
I'm currently looking out my little bedroom window (it's currently raining, who woulda guessed!) and I'm really going to miss this place! Here is a bit of a summary of my experience for your reading pleasure!
125: The number of days I have been away from home
100: Hours I've logged in on Skype this semester...best invention EVER (this is a rough estimation!)
95: The number of days Sherwood Hall has served me potatoes at at least one meal
19: The number of cards/postcards I got in the mail...I think that beats my combined total for the last 20 years!
15: Dollars that my cheap UK cell phone cost
9: How many seasons of Friends I watched over the course of the semester
6: The number of countries I have visited in the last 4 months
4: The number of times I did laundry this semester (can't wait for a a little wardrobe variety!)
3: How many flights I have been on for my journey home due to airline changes...maybe this time it will stick!
3: The number of giant bags of M&M's I consumed this semester
2: The number of jars of JIF peanut butter I've eaten this semester (they just don't make it like that over here!)
1.6: The current pound to dollar exchange rate (can't wait to not have to convert that in my head!)
I could think of many more but I've already been at this on and off for two hours (it is no longer raining but sunny and beautiful outside...get it together England!) and I really should be brushing up for my exam that I have in 3 hours! For those of you that are wondering what my life will bring for the next two days here goes...
Tonight I will take my last final and then do laundry so I have clean clothes to wear home. I've been picking out my "wear home" outfit for the last week, not kidding! I was always one of those kids that picked out my (and my brother's) first day of school outfits weeks in advance so really, this should be expected! Tomorrow I'm going shopping with some friends for one last hurrah together because I'm the first of our little group of exchangies to leave, sad day! Then tomorrow night I have get to pack. I have been saving this as my little "you're going home" reward for the last 2 weeks so I'm excited to get packing! And this time will be easy because it's like a closing sale...everything must go! Then Saturday my taxi will pick me up to take me to the train station in Nottingham at a bright ad early 5:20AM...fun. My train leaves at 6 and then I'll get to London around 8, hop on the tube to the airport and then hang out there until my flight leaves at 12:20. I'll land in Chicago around 3PM on Saturday! I was originally going to land at 7 and have a stop in Toronto but God works in magical ways and Air Canada decided to do aircraft maintenance on my plane on Saturday so I got switched to a direct flight, boo ya! Then once I get home I will be hitting up Chipotle and or Portillos because that's basically all I've been able to think about for the last week. That and home cooked food (I'm sure mom is sick of me e-mailing her random food requests for things I've been craving all semester!). Then Sunday it's onto graduation madness and celebrating Craigy (that is pronounced craig-E) and all of his awesomeness!
I can't wait to be home to see you all (in case you couldn't tell!). Thanks SO much if you sent one of those 19 cards or sent up one of the countless prayers I know were said for me over the last 125 days. I am truly grateful for you all and for this experience and I can't wait to tell you all about it in PERSON!! You think I'm funny in writing, well in case you forgot I'm a laugh and a half in person :) Ah, it's almost tomorrow...again!
Love from London one last time,
Stacey
