363 Days Later

As of Friday it will be 365 days, a full year, since I hugged my parents at the airport with 3 suitcases and a bookbag in tow and flew across the ocean for what would be a life changing year. Friday I leave England with those same suitcases and the bookbag, but I am bringing home so much more than I ever could have imagined.

My year over here has been amazing! You always wonder when you make a fresh start. You wonder what sort of people you'll meet. For me, I was surprised that the first people I met, ended up being the people that I spent most of my year with. I met a girl in my course when checking in for orientation. I was put in a group with one of the twins on the first day of class. I walked to town the first time with my American friends. It's been amazing to make such wonderful friends.

I don't think there are words that are adequate to explain what this year has meant to me. To everyone that has supported me this year, thank you so much. I could never thank you enough. To my parents especially, THANK YOU for everything...the gifts, comfort foods from home, phone calls, letters, cards, hugs, and encouragement.

363 days ago I began this journey. In 2 days a new journey begins. And the best part of all is that it begins with hugs from my parents at the airport. I can't wait!

Just because I can't express myself correctly...here are my favorite pictures from this past year. Enjoy!

Two more weeks!

Preparing to move home is no easy task. Besides packing and repacking (and repacking) to make sure everything is in the bags and under the weight limit, there's saying goodbye to the people that have made this year amazing. A couple weeks ago our professors decided to conduct a "going home" seminar. For a lot of people (including me), this experience was their first away from their home country. Naturally, we've lived life a bit differently and going home can end up being harder to adjust to. For instance, one of my classmates is from Pakistan. She's enjoyed quite a bit of freedom this year, but goes home to a province in war with the Taliban and to a home where she must have permission and an escort to leave the house. Big changes for her!

One of the tasks we did in this seminar was to list things we are looking forward to and things we will miss. I didn't take things too seriously at the time, but I know there will be some adjustment for me. So, here's a more serious list.

What I'm looking forward to about going home:
Seeing my family
Hugs from my mom and dad
Phantom
Playing with the kids
Finding a job
Getting my stuff out of storage
My bed (the mattress at my apartment was less than comfortable)
Phantom
Ranch dressing
Mexican food
Seeing my friends
Planning my wedding

Things I will miss about being in England
Sleeping in
Traveling to new places
The architecture
Seeing the boy (he doesn't move right away)
The friends I've made here
Having everything in walking distance
Trains

So, while I'll miss some things, there is much more that I'm looking forward to. And now that I don't live there anymore, here are some pictures from Loughborough University, my home away from home for the past year.